Brayden Schenn News

THE FIRST order of business for Paul Holmgren this summer is determining which unit was more a cause of concern for the Flyers: the offense or the defense.

The Philadelphia Flyers finished the season with a 23-22-3 record and missed the playoffs for only the second time in 18 seasons.

For more than half of the league, the NHL 's second season is just getting under way.

After a terrible 23-22-3 season, the Philadelphia Flyers and general manager Paul Holmgren will make a huge splash in both the NHL draft and in the offseason trading frenzy.

B+ Marty had his best statistical season since 2006-07. Although it was a shortened season, in 29 starts Brodeur had 13 wins, 2 shutouts, .901 save percentage, and 2.22 goals against average.

The fact is, opponents had the better scoring chances, had many more odd-man rushes, and had goalie Ilya Bryzgalov's head on a swivel as he watched teams cycle the puck around him.

The NHL playoffs will begin this week. And for just the second time in the last 18 seasons, they will do so without the Philadelphia Flyers.

Given the way it started in October, even Jason Akeson probably couldn't have predicted tonight's finish to the season.

Lauridsen scored his second career NHL goal on a slap shot high above the circle late in the third period to lift the Flyers to a win in their home finale.

From a seat on a dressing-room bench that's a right turn down the hall from where his game-day locker was last season, Jaromir Jagr -- the Flyer-turned-Dallas Star-turned-Boston Bruin -- tried to avoid spilling his guts on why his time as a Philadelphian ended after just one very enjoyable season.

Paul Holmgren talked with ESPN on Monday about what went wrong last season and what he's thinking heading into the offseason.