Flyers Q&A with Matt Doner

The Flyers failed to meet expectations to start the 2018–19 season with a 12–15–4 record. As the season went on, downhill was the only direction the Flyers took, and they missed the playoffs. Subsequently, Flyers General Manger Ron Hextall would be fired, following the firing of Dave Hakstol shortly after.

Entering the 2019-20 season, Alain Vigneault would the new head coach of our Philadelphia Flyers. Signing a big name like Kevin Hayes, the Flyers would look to get back to playoff contention. The start of the season would set the tone, as the Flyers would tie a team record for the best November in team history with a record of 10-3-4. They continued the push into February and reached second place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 9-3. This would include a nine-game win streak but would soon come to an end against Boston Bruins. As one of the hottest teams, if not the hottest, the Flyers and many others, would face a global pandemic. This would shut down major sports.

The Flyers entered the postseason bubble having clinched a playoff appearance and played in a seeding round robin between the top 4 teams of the conference. The Flyers beat the Bruins in the first game 4–1, the Capitals in the second game 3–1, and the Lightning in the third game 4–1 to claim the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.

The Flyers would take care of business against Montreal and take the series in six games. They would face a tougher challenge against the New York Islanders. The Flyers fell behind in the series 3-1, but the fight in them seem to not quit and brought the series to a game seven. The Islanders would end up shutting out the Flyers with a score of 4-0. While we did not get the desired outcome in the playoffs, it feels like this team is headed in the right direction.

As we jump into the 2021 season, the expectations are high for the Flyers. This new season has already had its ups and downs. Is it time to panic? Is there some cause for concern, maybe? It is still early, and I believe this is a playoff team. Like most, I am grateful there is Flyers hockey and enjoying the ride.

I took some time to gather some questions for someone I knew for quite some time. Matt’s passion for hockey and knowledge made him the right fit for this Q&A.

As we proceed, I wish everybody to continue to be safe and Let’s Go Flyers!

1. Before we Jump into the Flyers talk, could you give us some history on your passion for the sport, the Flyers, and how it all started? Also, your passion for hockey does not seem to stop there, you also play hockey and your team recently won a championship?

I have been a huge hockey fan ever since I was a young kid. My brother and I somehow got really into it even though our dad’s primary sport was, and still is, football. As a Philly fan, I was naturally introduced to the Flyers early on and soon enough, I bled orange and black. You are correct, I have been playing hockey for over 25 years and indeed, my most recent outdoor roller team won the league championship this past Fall. That was my first roller hockey championship in 20 years, so it was extremely sweet! While I still play pickup games here and there, I decided to retire from league play on top.

2. There is a lot of history for the Flyers. The Flyers won two Stanley Cups in the 1970’s while in other decades, they came close. As a young kid in the 90’s, I grew up with the Legion of Doom. 1990-00 I would consider as my favorite decade of Flyers hockey. What do you consider your favorite decade and why?

My favorite decade is 2000-09 for sure. Even though they never even made the Finals, they made the playoffs every year but one and had three conference finals appearances. To date, my favorite team is still the 2004 squad. It was a veteran group that really went for it and when they lost Game 7 to Tampa, I was quite despondent. Part of my sadness may have been because I knew a lockout was coming, as well.

3. From 1994-95 to 2005-06, the Flyers made the playoffs and had some great runs. Three years into that run, they advanced to the Stanley Cup finals, which was bittersweet as they were sweep 4-0 by the Detroit Red Wings. What good, bad, ugly, playoff memory lives in your head to this day?

The best playoff memory I have is unquestionably the entire 2010 run, especially the comeback from down 3-0 to Boston in the second round. All of us knew they had that in them after an underachieving regular season. It was just a shame they didn’t even have average goaltending in the Finals, because I think if they did, they would have beaten the Blackhawks. Worst, I got a couple: 2002 first round (lost 4-1 to Ottawa, scored two goals the entire series) and the whole 2011 playoffs (barely squeaked by an inferior Buffalo team 4-3, then swept by Boston, goalies were pulled five times in 11 games). Frankly, I was not even mad when Detroit swept the Flyers in 1997 because that Red Wings club was a machine.

4. I grew up with names like Eric Lindros, John LeClair, and Rod Brind'Amour. Who is your all-time favorite Flyers player, past or present, and why?

John LeClair. He was my original favorite Flyer and I learned how to play based on watching him – go to the net and look for those ugly rebounds, deflections, and tip-ins, baby! Also, I met him two years ago while getting an opportunity to skate on the outdoor ice at the Linc and he could not have been a nicer guy.

5. Who do you think was the best to every put on a flyers uniform and why?

Without question, it was Bobby Clarke. All-time leader in scoring, embodied the role of captain, and sported his iconic toothless grin! He should be the first player people think of when they think of the Flyers as a franchise.

6. What were your thoughts when the Flyers announced the hiring of Alain Vigneault?

Honestly, I was not super fond of it at first because his teams in Vancouver were very unlikeable. After looking at his track record though, I came around and fully supported the move. So far, he has been the best coach they have had in a while and I think he has done a great job developing their young players.

7. How would you compare the 2019-20 Flyers team to the 2021 Flyers team?

Expectations are unquestionably higher for this season. It is the second year with Vigneault’s system, and the young guys got some experience last year, which most of us viewed a success just to make the playoffs. With most of the pieces seemingly in place, anything less than the semi-finals would be a disappointment.

8. Do you feel like the Flyers have held on to veterans like Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, just to name a few, longer than they should have? If you were handed the GM title, who would you have stay or go?

While both Giroux and Voracek have under-performed at times, I would not have traded them unless I got a convincing offer. They are both still productive players and Voracek’s contract is not his fault (thanks Hextall). As for who I would get rid of, Shayne Gostisbehere is the first one who comes to mind. He has fallen so far so quickly, to the point I am not sure what value you could get for him. Sam Morin, sadly, does not seem to have a place in Philly anymore either. Poor guy has gotten injured a lot, but the reality is the Flyers have gotten next to nothing out of him.

9. Carter Hart’s (GAA) goals against average is up this year compared to past seasons. Is this something to be concerned about? If so, how can this be fixed?

I am not terribly concerned about Hart. There are still a lot of games to be played. More concerning to me is the shot disparity the team has experienced so far. While they have been winning despite being outshot, I do not think that is a sustainable model for winning long term. Hart will see fewer Grade A chances from the other team if they can tighten things up.

10. The Flyers should be a playoff team, given the circumstances. The question is, can this team win a Stanley Cup? If not, what is needed to get this team to raise the trophy once again?

I do not think this team is a true Cup contender, yet at least. The one thing they have been lacking for a long time, really since Eric Lindros, is a true game breaker. You need at least one forward or defenseman who can carry the team on his back for long stretches to win a Cup. All the recent champs had one or more game breakers: Kane/Toews/Keith, Crosby/Malkin, Ovechkin, Tarasenko, Kucherov/Hedman. Look on the bright side: For the first time in what feels like forever, they have a true franchise goalie!

11. It feels like every Flyers fan’s top rival is the Penguins. Is this something you agree with or do you think another team takes the spot? Speaking of the Penguins, is there someone that grinds your gears more   than Sidney Crosby?

Pittsburgh is still their top rival. Both teams are generally good, and they legitimately do not like each other, so it is always great theater. Crosby does not bother me nearly as much as he used to. This may sound sacrilegious to say, but I think Crosby has matured a lot and is no longer the whining diver he used to be. My least favorite Penguin nowadays is Jake Guentzel. He always seems to put up points against the Flyers and just seems like a pest in general.

12. We appreciate your time, Matt. I figured that I would save the best for last. While this is a Flyers Q&A, you were one of the lucky Philadelphians to attend Super Bowl 52 in Minnesota. Could you leave us with some details of that amazing experience?

You’re welcome, thank you for having me for this segment. The Super Bowl was an experience that may never be topped in my lifetime as far as sporting events go. I went with my dad and brother and we made a whole trip out of it, staying for five days. Minnesota is surely the coldest place I have ever been, but I got used to it after a few days. Everyone there was nice, so yes, Minnesota Nice is real. When we got to our seats, it seemed completely surreal. Sitting behind the end zone where both the Philly Special and the incomplete Hail Mary took place was my favorite memory. Patriots fans sitting around me were good sports and shook my hand after it was over, so my response was simply, “Thank you, Brady is still the GOAT.” After the game, we stayed in the stadium for about an hour to soak everything in before going out for celebratory pizza. Not sure if Dann remembers, but my voice was not back to normal for almost a week! Super Bowl 52 champs forever!

Thanks for reading and a special thanks to Matt for taking the time to answer these questions for us. You can follow Matt on his Facebook at www.facebook.com/mattdoner. Let's go Flyers!

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