The Flyers have played six periods (and one overtime session) over two games. They would probably like to forget the first three periods they played against Pittsburgh (as would anyone else remotely associated or interested in the club). The game Thursday night against New Jersey had a slightly different outcome. They earned a point thanks to a solid Philadelphia debut by Joseph Woll, who swallowed up shots like crazy, controlled rebounds perfectly, and kept the Flyers from coming away empty-handed. Rasmus Ristolainen made the most of a delayed penalty call to open the scoring, and Travis Sanheim took a slap shot that Jake Allen had no chance on for Philadelphia’s second goal. But other than that, the Devils looked like the Harlem Globetrotters, while the Flyers looked confused and perplexed like the Washington Generals offensively, basically unable to generate anything as New Jersey crushed them five-on-five (31.78 Corsi For percentage). The power play? Well, let’s just hope the 5-on-5 improves first, shall we?
So, with still 82 games to go, the Flyers have plenty of time to resolve their issues. They now have a point in the standings. And they proved they can score this season. That’s good. However, one player which hasn’t dressed for these two games is a forward who might hold far more importance than anyone might have thought. It’s especially odd considering he’s only played 53 total regular season and playoff games combined for the club. Yet, Denver Barkey might be that crucial part or cog in the wheel that the Flyers seem to be sorely lacking in week one of their 2026-27 season.
Barkey was injured during an exhibition game against the Capitals. He was favoring something after the hit in the first period, returned for a shift in the second, then went down the hallway to the locker room. He was placed on injured reserve to begin the season, and isn’t expected to be out an extended period of time. Nonetheless, it’s better to be cautious with an injury to a 21-year-old promising forward (and possible center) than rush him back and pay for it dearly down the road.
Winning record with Barkey in the lineup
When Denver Barkey played his first National Hockey League game just before the Christmas break in 2025, many were happily surprised. Flyers general manager Danny Briere decided to go with a youngster who would be a breath of fresh air, and eager to prove himself in a one-game or two-game sample size. At least that was the initial thought when Barkey had a pair of assists in a 5-4 shooutout loss to the Rangers in his first game. Although going pointless the next handful of games, Barkey looked like a sturdy buzzsaw, winning puck battles against guys far bigger, using his high hockey IQ to make plays, and generally contribute in all facets of the game. As a result, those handful of games turned into the rest of the season. And Philadelphia’s record in those games was 21-16-6. Granted, other players had a hand in the torrid homestretch. But Barkey did his fair share in changing the club’s dynamic, and giving different line combinations far more offensive flair. With five goals and 12 assists in those 43 games, the youngster was a bright spot in the latter half of the season.
On the three lines last year Barkey spent over 50 minutes five-on-five with, all three were over 50 per cent in terms of Corsi For. In just over 160 minutes with Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett (53.67), nearly 84 minutes with Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov (51.15), and over 56 minutes with Tippett and Trevor Zegras (54.55), the play generally tilted more towards the offensive zone than the defensive zone. Barkey wasn’t solely responsible for that, but he certainly had a hand in it.
So, with the knowledge that Barkey is a very good, smart, dependable two-way player, and one that looks comfortable down the middle, maybe the Flyers are missing him far more than anyone expected. Without Barkey in the lineup, head coach Rick Tocchet clearly doesn’t have his lines truly settled on. Granted, injuries are part of the game, and any line can change due to injury or poor play. Yet the youngster has a Konecny-esque feel to him, minus the fact he rarely crosses that line into undisciplined penalties. Whenever Barkey returns, and provided the Flyers remain healthy, putting him back into the lineup should add another piece that will perhaps make things fall into place far smoother than the first two games showed.
Barkey’s return should help top three lines
As it stands after two games, there is no real top line the Flyers are tossing out. The combinations were all over the place against the Penguins as Tocchet tried to find some semblance of a pulse. While the lines were a bit more structured and cohesive against the Devils, none of the lines truly looked like they could drive the play forward. The only instance of sustained pressure against New Jersey was in the second period, when an extended shift (and a long shift to make a change) hemmed the Devils in as Couturier and Noel Acciari put in the grunt work before changing. Michkov then kept the pressure on but the Flyers didn’t capitalize.
The return of Barkey should steady the lines a bit more, or provide some much needed consistency and playmaking, even if it doesn’t provide a goal every shift. The Flyers never stacked any shifts together in the first two games that gave the defense and their goaltenders any kind of break. A rope-a-dope blueprint might work once or twice a season, but has no long-term success. Barkey’s return could finally break open the floodgates a little more, possibly giving Michkov (one of the lone bright spots) and Cates more jump than they currently have. As well, it’s possible that the first unit power play might see a subtle change with Barkey replacing one of the four forwards. Or at least replacing somebody on the second unit. His return gives the Flyers options.
In the simplest terms, adding a forward like Barkey gives the Flyers more combinations to finally get something going positively. Whether he’s with Michkov, or finds himself moving into the top six down the middle or on the wing, Barkey is going to be a sparkplug that was sorely lacking over the first two games. While the likes of Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, and Nick Seeler all looked like they were putting the effort in New Jersey, the Flyers are going to sink or swim with their youth this season and in the seasons to come. Not that it’s a make or break year for the club, as that window for contention is still a bit from opening. It’s just that Barkey and other unnamed youngsters are going to have to carry their load of the freight if Philadelphia is to have success.
The Flyers are clearly not looking like the club that almost dominated the last quarter of 2025-26. Perhaps getting Barkey back goes a very long way to avoiding an early season hole they can’t crawl out of.
