Photo Credit: Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
The Flyers rosters is nearly set for their opening night lineup. After what felt like an endless offseason, the team is finally ready to ice an NHL roster and there are a lot of plots and subplots to think about within the season. From lineup parody to coaching nuance, the team is as intriguing as they’ve been in history. Not since the era of Paul Holmgren’s GM tenure, has the club been this aggressive in revamping their roster and making sure a veteran lineup is in the mix. Barring some unforeseen changes the team will be going into the season with line combinations below. However, with season only in its infancy, it’s important to remember that all of the lines are subject to change.
The Offense
The Flyers boast a strong offensive core with plenty of two-way forwards and offensively gifted enough to produce points against any team in the league. If all things go well, this offense could put up a lot of points in the league and give almost every team fits working to stop the level of depth available. Fans should expect the lines to see more changes, especially when Kevin Hayes returns from injury. However, if Frost shows he is ready for a top six role in the NHL, the Flyers will have even more options down the middle that could see them ice three top scoring lines. Issac Ratcliffe is a player fans should keep an eye out as he could be a surprise call up with Wade Allison and Tanner Laczynski both out with long term injuries. Ratcliffe has mammoth size, great wheels, and a scoring touch that could land him in the NHL earlier than most fans expect. German Rubtsov is also a young player who is likely to get a look at a bottom six defensive role as he has similar skillset to, Flyers fourth line center, Scott Laughton. Even with injuries, the Flyers offensive core boasts enough depth to compete against any team in the league.
F1: Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny
F2: James van Riemsdyk – Morgan Frost – Joel Farabee
F3: Oskar Lindblom – Derick brassard – Cam Atkinson
F4: Nate Thompson – Scott Laughton – Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Extras: Kevin Hayes (Injured), Issac Ratcliffe, Tyson Foerster, Max Willman, Maxim Sushko, German Rubtsov, Tanner Laczynski (Injured), Wade Allison (injured), Jackson Cates, Connor Bunnaman, Linus Sandin
The Defense
The defense boasts the best top pairing the team has seen in since Kimmo Timonen and Brayden Coburn were in their prime. Ryan Ellis and Ivan Provorov already look like the tandem the city has been looking for and both players are poised to have a career year. With the support of Travis Sanheim, Rasmus RIstolainen, Keith Yandle, and Justin Braun the defense seems to be best collection of veterans this team has seen in a long time. There are not many question marks on defense and even if injuries strike, the Flyers have future star defenseman Cam York and skilled two-way youngster Yegor Zamula just waiting to grab a pro spot.
D1: Ivan Provorov – Ryan EllisÂ
D2: Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
D3: Keith Yandle – Justin Braun
Extras: Cam York, Yegor Zamula, Adam Glendenning, Nick Seeler, Samuel Morin (Injured), Wyatt Wylie, Linus Hogberg
The Goalies
Carter Hart already looks poised to have a career year and the league should expect a brick wall when the Flyers start rolling into the season. Early in the preseason and training camp, Carter Hart has looked like he is mentally locked in a prepared to take the team to the next level. Hart is the x-factor for the team and the catalyst for a Stanley Cup run. Martin Jones is looking to rebound on a spotted past, but reuniting with his old goalie coach from LA, Kim Dillabough, he has someone who believes in him and has seen him at his best. Throw in three talented young goalies in Felix Sandstrom, Kril Ustimenko, and Samuel Errson, the Flyers boast a talented but raw group who could end up shocking the NHL on the level of talent they posses. Not seen as a strength right now, but if things go well or even half well, they could be the envy of most of the league.
G1: Carter Hart
G2: Martin Jones
Extras: Felix Sandstrom, Kril Ustimenko, Samuel Errson
On this episode of Gettin Gritty Wit It, I welcome back friend of the show and founder of The Draft Analyst, Steve Kournianos. Steve works tirelessly every season to provide a top notch scouting report on 200+ draft eligible players, while providing Mock Drafts leading up to the Entry Draft. The two of us go through his Flyers Season preview available on his podcast, but go really get down to the nitty gritty of it. Check out this latest episode as we go through the Flyers offseason hiatus.
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