Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
The Flyers will kick off their season tonight at 530pm. What a season it will be filled with mostly enjoyable moments. Some questions still remain like who will be the most improved player? Who will score the most goals and tally the most points? Where will the Flyers finish and how far will they go? These are all great questions, and this young loaded Flyers team may just have enough depth within their system to pull off an extended Stanley Cup Playoff run.
Let’s start off with a victory tonight in the home opener against their rivals in the Pittsburgh Penguins. The young phenom in Carter Hart will stifle Sidney Crosby and his people to lead the Flyers to a 6-2 victory. Yea Crosby “We don’t like you either.” This young Flyers team are just better the Penguins on paper, and until they lose against them then the Flyers get the upper hand in my opinion.
Predictions
Patttty is backkkkkkk. Nolan Patrick will suit up tonight in his first Regular Season game in 652 days. What a talented young 22-year-old Patrick is. He is just too darn good and he will pot a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Patrick will finish the season with 10 goals, and 22 assists for 32 points (Which would be a career high in points).
When will Ivan Provorov get the respect he deserves? Provy was one of the most steadiest defensemen for the Flyers last season. It’s time for the league to take notice. He is a beast, his gap control is impeccable, stands players up at the blue line, blocks shot after shot (In scrimmages too), and quarterbacks the Power Play. Provy finished the season with the most PP goals by a defenseman with seven last season. For his efforts this season, Provy will finish in the top 5 in the voting for the Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman).
Travis Konecny lead the team in goals (24) and points (61) last season. This season shall be no different. Konecny will light the lamp for 20+ even in this shortened season, and lead the team in points once again. I think he’s a budding star, and his drive for the game is unlike most. Konecny plays with an edge, and is effective with such.
Carter Hart will get some respect, and finish 3rd or 4th in the Vezina voting this season. At home last year Hart was 20-3-2 with a whopping 1.63 GAA, and a .943 Save Percentage. Away from home he was 4-10-1, with a 3.81 GAA, and a .857 Save Percentage. He will be consistent at home and away this season, and pundits will take notice. Let’s remember this save:
Oskar Lindblom will win the Masterton Trophy this season. What a truly inspiring story and comeback. Chuck Fletcher said a few weeks ago that he has regained his muscle mass, and rebuilt his body sort of speak. Good for him as he will be playing in his first Regular Season game in 452 days. He will produce 13 goals, and 23 assists this season.
Finally, the Flyers finished in second place in the Metropolitan Division last season with 89 points. In this shortened 56 game season the Flyers will finish with 69 points (37-14-5 record), and make the Stanley Cup Finals. They will play the Colorado Avalanche in the Finals and lose in seven games 4-3. What a magical ride it will be for the best team in Philadelphia, and if they do win the Stanley Cup I will climb Billy Penn.
