Wanting More: Determination is the Theme of Flyers’ Exit Interviews After a Taste of Playoff Hockey

Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesKyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers held the first day of their end-of-season availabilities on Tuesday, starting with the players. There seemed to be a common theme amongst the group.

After getting a taste of playoff hockey and what it is like, the players have been left with a hunger for more and a determination to get back to the postseason. That was echoed by every player who spoke on Tuesday.

Rasmus Ristolainen, for one, is a player who waited until his 13th season in the league to make a playoff appearance. “You got a little taste. And now, you want to get there every single year,” said Ristolainen. “Before, you didn’t really know what to expect. Now [you have] a little taste. So obviously, that should be the ultimate goal every season. And obviously, then advance as long as possible.”

This time last year, Travis Konecny was hungry for that playoff spot. Now that they’ve got there, the Flyers’ alternate captain is ready to raise the bar. “You get in, and now you look to next year already, and you’ve got to raise the bar again. So that would be getting in again and making another run. I feel like we’re on the right path, and I feel like the players that are helping us coming in are, you know, really elevating our team and helping us. So I’m really excited to see what happens here.”

For some players, like Trevor Zegras, it was the first playoff action in some young careers. They took it as a learning experience and are ready to do it again. “It’s definitely been a weird last couple of days. I’m excited for what’s ahead with this team. [The playoffs were] such a good learning experience for myself and a lot of the other young guys that haven’t played in a playoff game, and learning what it’s like to play a series.”