VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 22: Chuck Fletcher of the Philadelphia Flyers attends the 2019 NHL Draft at the Rogers Arena on June 22, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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That’s it, now the offseason is pretty much complete. Unfortunately, the Flyers finished the season 25-23-8, and missed the playoffs after a season that began with high expectations. What will transpire this season is anyone’s guess, however, it has been made clear that the Flyers will be very active that accountability and leadership issues will be a thing of the past for this proud franchise. They were linked to every big name available on the defensive side of the puck, but the buck just didn’t just stop there. Chuck Fletcher promised to make goaltending a priority initially this offseason, as he hoped to find a capable backup for Carter Hart. Moreover, the Flyers also infused the lineup with some speed and physicality. Whatever the case maybe, let’s dive a little deeper into this offseason filled with lots of acquisitions.
Priority #1- A top defensive partner for Ivan Provorov
What more needed to be written about this topic. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher preached patience this past offseason in regards to signing or trading players, as the expansion draft was just around the corner. The Flyers were left with a huge void following Matt Niskanen’s retirement. Furthermore, some young defensemen struggled last season with the likes of Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Erik Gustafsson, Robert Hagg, Shayne Gostisbehere at times, and Philippe Myers. It wasn’t just the six defensemen on the ice, it was the team’s overall defense that struggled mightily. The Defense overall was a mess this past season, and Fletcher knew it. So much so, that the Flyers obtained a former assistant captain Ryan Ellis.
The Flyers can ill afford to bank on players rebounding for the Flyers to get out of mediocrity. Sanheim needs to get bigger and stronger, much like Myers, and learn how to take the body on their opponents:
“I admire Nicklas Lidstrom. He was steady, and could put up numbers offensively. I just tried to pick a bit from him..his stick was amazing, always had his stick in the right place at the right time.”– Travis Sanheim said to Jamey Baskow in 2017
Ryan Ellis
A steady Right-Handed Defenseman in Ellis, who stands at 5’10 and weighs 180 pounds will be a top pairing veteran Defenseman with Ivan Provorov. Finally, the Flyers have replaced the loss of Matt Niskanen.
“I’m surprised, shocked, and excited.” – Ryan Ellis said via audio from Zack Hill
Ellis is a very good defender, and he will stick up for his teammates. He has good offensive instincts and great mobility. Ellis can move the puck quickly out of danger, and owns a powerful point shot which could become valuable on the power play.
Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Ristolainen, 26-years-old, is a Right-Handed Defenseman that can be physical and pot a goal as the Flyers found out earlier this year. He can be seen as an underperforming defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, but it is the Sabres, a team that was stockpiled with rich prospects and talent. Ristolainen is blessed with toughness, and possesses one heavy shot, and that could become a key on the power play for the Flyers.
This former Sabres defenseman plays a really sound two-way game. He is a strong and well-balanced skater, and Ristolainen plays with a physical component to his game and has become more disciplined. Ristolainen stands at 6’4, weighs 218 pounds and can clear the porch in a big way. Carter Hart would see just about every shot with him on the ice, as he could be seen dragging players from the front of the net.
“I would say I’m a player that other teams hate to play against, and I try to be a pain in the ass. I can do everything, penalty kill, power play. I can pass the puck. I can shoot the puck. I can play any type of role. Hard worker. I like to hit. Just do anything it takes to win.”– Rasmus Ristolainen
Keith Yandle
Keith Yandle is from Milton, MA, and is good friends with Kevin Hayes. He has also played under Head Coach Alain Vigneault. The writing was on the wall for a recipe for success in Philadelphia, and he can fit right in.
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At the age of 34, Yandle may not be the offensive defenseman he once was, but he can still skate well. In addition, Yandle brings leadership as he is a former Assistant Captain. Gone are the days to where there are no voices in the Flyers locker room. Accountability was a strong word for this young Flyers team this past season. With this new formed defense people will be held accountable.
Priority #2- Backup Goaltender
This is the one area that I think Fletcher struck out on. Goaltending appears to be a problem year after year for the Flyers. Brian Elliott and Carter Hart both struggled at times throughout the course of the 2020-21 season. Elliott filled in admirably for Hart after he finished the season on the injured list, as he missed the final few weeks of the season with a sprained knee.
The Flyers need better goaltending in a critical season in 2021-22. Hart should rebound, and he is the least of my worries as he has vowed to train, train, train this offseason. However, the biggest thing is; who can help mentor Hart. The Flyers needed a stable, younger backup that can play night in and night out if Hart goes down with an injury.
Martin Jones
The Sharks would not have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 without Jones. Jones kicked butt that entire playoffs, and that’s what he brings to the young Carter Hart, a winning pedigree as he has been through the ringer.
A happy Hart would go a long way for his development, and Holtby would sure bring tutelage and mentorship for the young 22-year-old netminder. Jones has not had his best years the past few years, as he posted a 3.28 GAA, and a .896 Save Percentage in 34 games played this past season for starters. These numbers would not fly with Flyers fans that’s for sure, but he owns a 2.60 GAA, and a .906 Save Percentage in the playoffs for his career.
The hope is Jones can resurrect his career with the orange and black, and guide the young Hart to a successful NHL career in the same token. How this will end is anyone’s guess, but let’s give this a chance to work first.
Priority #3- Physicality/Speed
There are ways of becoming a more physical team, while infusing speed and goal scoring with such. The Flyers needed physicality to endure an extended playoff run. If a person saw each game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season they would have noticed teams that are good at forechecking while taking the bodies. Players from each team were banging into the boards, thus taking the puck from their opponents. There are some players that are available to help the Flyers in this need.
Physicality
Rasmus Ristolainen plays with an edge and he possesses solid puck moving skills as he likes to be involved with the play. He has logged an average ice time of 22:34 for the Sabres this season, and he could be a top pairing/middle pairing defenseman. Ristolainen has also tallied four goals, and chipped in nine assists in 34 games played, as he was recovering from Covid-19 (Which took a heavy toll on him physically).
This former Sabres defenseman plays a really sound two-way game. He is a strong and well-balanced skater, and Ristolainen plays with a physical component to his game and has become more disciplined. Ristolainen stands at 6’4, weighs 218 pounds and can clear the porch in a big way. Carter Hart would see just about every shot with him on the ice, as he could be seen dragging players from the front of the net.
Speed
In order for the Flyers to have a real chance to do some damage this coming season they have to improve their Special Teams, and with that speed is a factor. The penalty killing seemed to improve during the 2019-20 season under Assistant Coach Mike Yeo, however, it took a major step back this past season garnering a 73.1% success rate that was good for 30th in the NHL. Moreover, the Flyers also allowed six short-handed goals to the Flyers two for. This is unacceptable for a team that was so talented on paper.
Chuck Fletcher made bold decisions to improve the struggling power play that sat 17th best in the NHL this past season with a 19.1% success rate, and the struggling penalty killing unit as mentioned above. Fletcher traded for Rasmus Ristolainen and signed Keith Yandle, to which both will help the once struggling power play unit, “I think he (Keith Yandle) perfectly complements our existing D corps,” Fletcher said this past Wednesday, “A left shot was something we felt we needed. Somebody to help with the powerplay. Keith is very good at moving the puck up the ice. He’s got a lot of experience. Look, neither one of our special teams were great last year. We think we’ve added some things to help the PK. I think Keith in particular is somebody that can help quarterback the power play and bring another option for our coaches for the power play. I think we have several defensemen that can play on the power play. Keith has a pretty good skill set.”
Head Coach Alain Vigneault is never completely satisfied and that’s partially the reason he returns this year as head coach. Especially, after the Flyers Penalty Killing Unit was terrible this past season, to which the goaltending was also subpar. Vigneault was in the meetings with Fletcher, to which Fletcher indicated that losing Nate Thompson, Tyler Pitlick, and Derek Grant last offseason really hurt the club. So-much-so, Fletcher re-signed Thompson, and added Cam Atkinson and Ryan Ellis to the fold. Ellis, Thompson, and Atkinson are extremely good penalty killers, and this should improve that unit mightily:
“Cam Atkinson is what we call a hockey player, and he just loves to play the game of hockey. Tremendous energy. You probably heard that in his press conference today. He’s a player that really can contribute every which way. I think he’s been one of the better five-on-five goal scorers in the league over seven, eight years. He drives play. He’s an elite penalty killer. I think he’s second to Brad Marchand in shorthanded goals going back to 2014. He’s been a really good scorer during the playoffs. There’s really not much he can’t do. For a guy that isn’t that tall, he’s tenacious.” – Chuck Fletcher
Atkinson, is a very speedy skater, and has tallied 12 short-handed goals dating back to the 2016-17 season. While Kevin Hayes has tallied 11 short-handed goals dating back to the 2016-17 season. The Flyers should not only have a successful penalty killing unit this coming season, but they should be a threat again while short-handed. The Flyers needed a breath of fresh air, new leadership, and players that can get the job done with special teams. Fletcher said at his exit interviews that he would also try to improve the power play and penalty killing units this offseason, well he has done that. Now it’s time for the team to prove it, as their rebound or revenge season depends on it.
Hopefully the Flyers rebound from falling short of expectations last season. One thing is for certain accountability and leadership shall not be a problem for this team in 2021-22, there are no more excuses not to succeed.
