The Philadelphia Flyers are gearing up for the new season after ending a five-year playoff drought last year
Philadelphia Flyers
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Last season: 43-27-12, lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
COACH: Rick Tocchet (43-27-12 last season, 329-92-99 in 10 NHL seasons).
SEASON OPENER: Sept. 30 vs. Pittsburgh.
DEPARTURES: C Rodrigo Abols, D Emil Andrae, G Sam Ersson, C Luke Glendening, F Garnet Hathaway, D Noah Juulsen.
ADDITIONS: C Noel Acciari, LW Zach Aston-Reese, D Simon Benoit, G Joseph Woll.
GOALIES: Dan Vladar (29-14-7, 2.42 goals-against average, .906 save percentage), Woll (15-16-7, 3.34, .898).
What to expect
The Flyers ended a five-year playoff drought last season and won a playoff series for the first time since 2012. Now, the goal is to show aren't just a one-year wonder without making major changes this offseason after failing to land Anaheim center Leo Carlsson via offer sheet.
The Flyers chose to lock up some of their young talent longer term, giving Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale new four-year deals and signing Tyson Foerster to an eight-year extension. The Flyers will also have full seasons from Porter Martone, a Calder Trophy favorite, Denver Barkey and Alex Bump and they solidified their goalie tandem by adding Woll.
The Metropolitan Division is expected to be a tougher this year, but the Flyers still should be in the playoff mix.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: The Flyers are young, tenacious and play a structured team game that keeps them in every contest. If Foerster can stay healthy, he should top 30 goals and same goes for Owen Tippett. Zegras and Travis Konecny had 67 and 68 points, respectively, a season ago and should lead the team again. Martone had 10 points in nine games after joining the Flyers in late March and scored goals in his first two playoff games. Vladar was excellent and had a stout defense in front of him.
The not-so-good: The power play has been dead last in the NHL in four of the previous five seasons and was 30th in the fifth. A full season with Martone and defenseman David Jiricek, who was acquired last season from Minnesota, could help. Center depth is a concern; Zegras, who may be better as a winger, is at the top of the group.
Player to watch
All eyes will be on third-year forward Matvei Michkov. There was a lot of drama with him being out of shape last season. Considered to be a top talent when the Flyers drafted him in the first round in 2023, Michkov had 51 points last season after 63 as a rookie. Tocchet made Michkov a healthy scratch twice in the playoffs. Michkov says he lost nearly 30 pounds this offseason and the Flyers hope he found his initiative to be the the major contributor they expect.
