from Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now,

Despite losing to Nashville on Thursday, the rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers are one of the NHL’s feel-good stories. They have points in nine of their last 10 games, sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division, and are allowing just 2.66 goals per game — sixth in the 32-team NHL.

Quietly, the Flyers’ second defensive pairing has played a major role in the team’s stunning 18-11-3 start.

One of the defenders on that pairing, Nick Seeler, was so disenchanted when the Chicago Blackhawks sent him to the minors three years ago that he left hockey and contemplated another occupation.

Seeler’s partner with the Flyers, Sean Walker, was coming off a disappointing season with Los Angeles and was considered a “throw-in” in the three-way, offseason deal that sent Ivan Provorov to Columbus.

And, yet, 32 games into this wacky season, Seeler, a No. 6 or No. 7 defenseman during most of his NHL life, and Walker are not just considered serviceable, but they are thriving on a defense that is has played beyond expectations.

Way beyond.

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