Photo Credit: Andy Gorel
With 5 pre-season games out of the way it’s getting closer to the 2021-2022, October 15th season opener against the Vancouver Canucks for the Philadelphia Flyers. With that being noted, one important factor will be the line combinations and defensive pairings coach Alain Vigneault and his staff choose to deploy on opening night.
Forward Lines
In terms of the team’s forward lines Vigneault has chosen to keep most of his lineup and their potential linemates together through all of training camp and the pre-season games thus far. Likely this is being done to build a foundation and sense of chemistry in relation to the forward corps as there are various new additions to the group of players. Aside from keeping forwards Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, all the remaining forward lines are new combinations. Ensuring a familiarity with one another is an integral factor in the success of the Flyers early this season so Vigneault’s strategy of keeping the lines the same through the majority of Training Camp and the pre-season is intelligent line-up management. As a result, it is evident that the opening night lineup will not differ very much if any from these lines. Due to this the projected opening night forward lineup is listed as follows:
Giroux – Couturier – Konecny
Farabee – Brassard – Atkinson
Lindblom – Laughton – JVR
Cates – Thompson – Aube-Kubel
Wilson
When examining this lineup in particular, it’s essentially the mix of all the appropriate pieces as Vigneault can place them. The top line has played together before in various situations and has shown in the past they can produce. While JVR and Farabee were a good duo last season it seems as though Vigneault has opted to split the pair despite the two playing together for the majority of the pre-season, which is interesting to say the least. In Kevin Hayes absence and with Morgan Frost being sent down to the AHL yesterday, it’s either Scott Laughton, Claude Giroux, or Derick Brassard as 2nd line center options. It seems the Flyers are inclined at least right now to give Brassard the opportunity to seize the second line center role but it remains to be seen if the veteran center will be able to handle the tough minutes such a position entails. Though at this moment his past familiarity and success with Alain Vigneault as his coach has afforded him the opportunity to move into a more crucial position in the line-up. We’ll see how Brassard fairs in that position and if things don’t seem to be working out Vigneualt will likely not hesitate to make a change. Whether that means it’s Laughton being thrust into filling in for Hayes on the 2nd line or Morgan Frost being called up to do so, the coaching staff certainly has options to rotate regarding that position. Other than the center depth of the 2nd and 3rd lines the rest of the lineup essentially fills itself out with Lindblom and JVR flanking Scott Laughton for now, although that could potentially turn into Brassard instead. It should be noted that JVR is playing as a right winger on this line when he has been a left winger for the majority of his career. One could assume that making such a switch could potentially impact JVR’s effectiveness but we will have to see how the veteran winger adjusts to playing on a different flank and if that has any repercussions in terms of productivity. Then the 4th line consisting of Cates, Thompson and NAK is one that should be formidable and be a forechecking threat. Aube-Kubel’s forechecking ability and Thompson’s defensive prowess should be able to drive this line. One key for this line to stay together though is Aube-Kubel’s ability to stay out of the penalty box. If this trend from last season continues I believe Vigneualt would not hesitate to give another player an opportunity in this role such as Garrett Wilson. Considering the injury to Kevin Hayes the way the forward corps is projecting to be set as for opening night as listed above is about as ideal as Vigneualt could place the players at hand. One thing I would switch within this lineup though is Oskar Lindblom being moved up to the second line and placing Cam Atkinson on the 3rd line. This in turn allows JVR to shift back to left wing, a position he is far more comfortable playing. Lindblom has been quite impressive so far this pre-season. The player’s strength and conditioning looks to have returned to the levels they were at prior to Lindblom’s cancer diagnosis. Not to mention it’s apparent his ability to win battles on the boards have also improved due to such conditioning. Lindblom having a greater likelihood of a prolonged future with the organization is a reason I would switch the two players’ places in the lineup. Aside from the minimal changes I believe should be made to the lineup, the combinations Vigneault and his staff have curated together in light of the injury to Hayes is one of the best variations that could be put together with the forwards at his disposal.Â
Defensive Pairings
On the other end of the spectrum the Flyers defensive pairings are a lot easier to figure out and chart than the forward combinations. The way Fletcher added to the defensive core already slotted in the defenseman for Vigneualt and Mike Yeo in theory. Ryan Ellis is a right shot, right side defenseman acquired to play on the first pairing with Ivan Provorov. While Rasmus Ristolainen is also a right shot, right side defenseman who was brought in for his physicality and ability to clear the front of the net. In terms of Ristolainen one of his critiques was that his increased usage and ice time was a major contributor to his faults. So due to this the Flyers playing him in a lesser 2nd pairing role is a no brainer. With that leaves a final veteran pairing of Justin Braun and newly signed Keith Yandle. The veteran defenseman looks to be a key asset to the Flyers powerplay and a high value signing for what he will bring both offensively and in the locker room for the minimal price paid. Lastly the teams 7th defenseman looks to be Nick Seeler after some impressive pre-season outings. Seeler showed his defensive prowess and ability to be physical by laying his body on the line to block shots, all qualities coaches are looking for in a 7th defenseman. Seeler’s game is simple and if he does see action a player of his calibre and playing style should be able to assimilate into the lineup quite easily. What this means is that Cam York will likely be the next defenseman sent down to the Phantoms. Vigneualt has charted the Flyers defensive pairings due to the above as follows:
Provorov – Ellis
Sanheim – Ristolainen
Yandle – Braun
Seeler
These defensive pairings will be given a chance to prove if they can sustain the main purpose of all the additions on the defensive side of things this off-season. That motive was lowering the Flyers goals and scoring chances against. If these pairings cannot significantly do that and play a solid game in their defensive zone, meaning limiting zone entries while also being able to break the puck out without turning it over. It’s likely Vigneault and his staff will not hesitate to mix things up in regards to the defensive pairings. For now it certainly looks like this will be the starting 6 and defense pairings for the Flyers to open the season. We’ll see how they perform in regular season action and if these pairs stay together for a continued period of time.
Overall, the Flyers line-up does look much improved from last season especially on the defensive side of things. The injury to Kevin Hayes does severely impact the center depth of the forward group and that may in turn become a large concern. However, the mix of the forward group in relation to line combinations and not having too many pass first players on one line is a lot more balanced than in previous seasons. Ultimately, these lines may be subject to change various times throughout the course of the season but the main goal for the Flyers is that their new look roster will be able to overcome the current lack of center depth.
