Memorial Cup part of the long-term vision for the Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey

SAGINAW, Michigan – The Philadelphia Flyers were in the NHL playoff picture until Game 82 this season.

In fact, the machinations of the Flyers' playoff push greatly defined a trio of franchises. Needing a regulation win in the regular-season finale, in a tie game, the Flyers pulled their goalie and lost 2-1 on an empty-net goal to the Washington Capitals.

This happened simultaneously as the Detroit Red Wings had dramatically forced overtime in Montreal, and the Flyers' empty-net decision ended Detroit’s season and sent Washington into playoff first-round wreckage against the New York Rangers.

Fun, fascinating stuff.

It also really doesn’t matter.

For Philadelphia and its management group, it’s all about the long-term rebuild. Flipping current assets for futures, like they did with the Sean Walk