Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Could it be?

Have the Philadelphia Flyers finally found some direction under Ken Hitchcock after going through four other coaches since the team's Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1997? Or are the Broad St. Bullies simply teasing their fanbase with another meaningless regular season run that will set the stage for a playoff failure come spring?

All will be known in good time, but right now what we have are the raw facts to go on. Through their first 12 games, the Flyers are 9-1-2 for an NHL-best 20 points and have looked much like the crew that was picked by most to go to the Finals last year.

And to this point, Philly is getting things done in all areas of the ice. If the club decides to erupt and win a 6-2 laugher -- which it has done four times already -- that works just fine. If the Flyers want to showcase their defense and sweat out a 2-1 triumph -- which they've done on three occasions -- that's OK too.

There are several reasons why Philadelphia is off and running the way it is, but the most obvious and crucial is the presence of Hitchcock, who has the Flyers playing HIS way so soon, when most believed it would take some time to implement such a strict system.

With the exception of a couple of third-period collapses against Edmonton and the NY Islanders early on, and a miscue-ridden loss to Buffalo, Hitch's crew has been meticulous in both the neutral and defensive zones.

"His system is very defensive oriented, but he really emphasizes the energy that we bring to it," said Flyers center Jeremy Roenick. "He likes to clog up the neutral zone with a 1-2-2 forecheck, but if we don't do it at a high pace, our system doesn't work. So he emphasizes our work ethic and to play 60 minutes, you know, not take 40 on 20 off.

"He's tried to get everybody to get into a 60-minute game with that attitude of playing strong defense, but yet at a high pace which creates a lot of good offense."

There were some grumblings during the summer and preseason that players like Roenick and John LeClair weren't particularly thrilled that they were going to be part of such a demanding, defensive brand of hockey. However, it seems as if the adjustment period is going nicely thus far.

"I don't think his system is much different than a lot of other systems, but Hitch just takes things to the bitter, bitter ultimate detail of everything and everywhere -- he'll even tell you which way your skates should be pointed in neutral ice when checking somebody," Roenick said. "It's a lot to have to absorb, so you have to always be mentally aware of what is going on around you. But in terms of the structure and the tactical stuff it's pretty similar, but he just implements a lot of different things that you have to think about."

Roenick, who said he was excited when he learned Hitchcock would be his new boss, is off to a solid personal start after scoring a career-low 21 goals last season. Through 12 games, he is tied for the Flyer lead with 12 points -- five goals and seven assists -- and is on track for the kind of campaign folks in Philly had hoped for when he signed a five-year, $37 million deal in July 2001.

LeClair is also enjoying a nice rebound from a disappointing 01-02 effort that was hampered by continuous back problems, which he played through. The three-time 50-goal scorer has rediscovered his vigor around the net, posting eight goals through 12 games, including his 300th as a Flyer in Tuesday's win over Carolina.

Add that to the resurgence of captain Keith Primeau's game, the continued growth of Justin Williams, who leads Flyer forwards with a whopping plus-12 rating, and the welcomed offensive contribution of checking center Michal Handzus, and Hitchcock has himself a potent stable up front.

We haven't even mentioned a recharged Mark Recchi, or a slumping Simon Gagne, who has managed only one goal thus far. Gagne, remember, is a young thoroughbred who is expected to break through into true stardom at any moment.

And to think, this is the same club that was held to an NHL record-low two goals in five games last postseason.

But before I go overboard with my praise and classify the Flyers as the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers reborn, some skepticism has to be let loose. In each of the last two seasons, the Flyers have duped the public with spectacular runs during the regular season, only to fizzle out and be sent home come the first round. Last season, the aberration was a 14-2 tear through parts of December and January, while two years ago, the Flyers went 13-3-5-1 in the first 22 games following Bill Barber's hiring as coach in December 2000.

Another concern is the fragile psyche in the dressing room, which was displayed in full force last winter and spring when Barber lost his players and was at the helm of a sinking ship. Things appear to be rosy with Hitchcock right now, but a crucial factor in this team's success will be how it reacts when it hits that rough stretch in the middle of a campaign that every squad suffers through.

Hitch's tedious ways might be a lot easier to take when you've lost just once in 12 games.

Now don't get me wrong. Is it better that the Flyers are out to the torrid start they're on instead of limping out of the gates like the Islanders or Maple Leafs? Absolutely, but like with any team, spring is a long way away, and Philadelphia has made an almost annual custom of getting that point across.

So that's one more bad habit for Hitchcock to correct.