Philadelphia Flyers: The Biggest Training Camp Battle
As we inch closer day-by-day towards training camp, we will take a look at the position where the biggest battle for a roster spot will come from, and I will predict who will ultimately win the battle. Training camp begins on September 17th for the Flyers at the Skate Zone in Voorhees, New Jersey.
The biggest training camp battle is … Defense– I’m sure 99.9% of you figured this out.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
This is without a doubt, the biggest training camp battle we will see come September 17th. With a plethora of young defensive prospects knocking at the door, and an excessive amount of defensemen currently on the roster, this will be the biggest and best battle all of camp.
Let’s start with how many defensemen the Flyers currently have on the roster. As of right now, the Philadelphia Flyers have eight one way contracted defensemen vying for six open spots. That’s not including the five heavily touted prospects that are looking to make the leap into the NHL.
Currently under one way contracts for the Flyers are, Mark Streit, Michael Del Zotto, Andrew Macdonald, Nick Schultz, Luke Schenn, Evgeni Medvedev (KHL defensemen who the Flyers signed to a one year deal), Radko Gudas, and Brandon Manning.
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Next we have the five Philadelphia Flyers prospects that are coming into camp trying to make the team. These prospects include Ivan Provorov (7th overall pick in this year’s draft), Shayne Gostisbehere, Sam Morin, Travis Sanheim, and Robert Hagg.
That is a lot of defensemen gunning for 6-7 spots on the Flyers. Granted it’s all about who will make the roster better, but when you’re paying as much as you are for the eight current defensemen, they will more than likely retain almost all of the openings.
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall announces Travis Sanheim (not pictured) as the number seventeen overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
It is very apparent that Flyers GM Ron Hextall is still trying to move defensemen to not only clear cap space, but to create some more openings so the prospects can slowly be incorporated into the roster. I would look for Hextall to move some of the defensemen once the season gets going and injuries start occurring.
It has been said that new Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol loves an offensive defensemen who can pinch in along the boards in the offensive zone to keep the play alive, and can also cleanly move the puck from zone to zone. Let’s face it, this is the changing way of today’s NHL. It’s not about size anymore; it’s about speed and how well you can utilize it from zone to zone.
This mold is exactly why I think this training camp battle will be the one to watch. With so many defensemen and almost no openings, there will be little room for error. It’s going to be about who can adapt, catch on, and excel at the new system in which coach Hakstol.
So who wants the predictions? The predictions will be broken down by each individual player and I will then explain briefly as to why they did or didn’t make the roster, accompanied by where they will end up.
Mark Streit– Makes the team– Mark Streit will undoubtedly make the roster. He has been a very solid defenseman for the Flyers and is a great QB for the first power play unit.
Michael Del Zotto– Makes the team– With his new contract extension, look for Del Zotto to continue to improve his game. He had a very good year last year and I think he has to potential to reach new heights under new head coach Dave Hakstol.
Andrew Macdonald– Makes the team– This was a tough decision but when you’re paying a guy $5 million a year, he will almost certainly start for the Flyers on opening night. Hopefully he can elevate his game to a higher standard.
Evgeni Medvedev– Makes the team– You don’t bring a guy over from Russia on a one year contract and not have him play. From the scouting reports I’ve read, Medvedev seems like a solid puck moving defensemen and it will be exciting to see him suit up a Flyer this year.
Nick Schultz– Makes the team– Nick Schultz was one of the Flyers most consistent defensemen last year. He was so consistent that the Flyers gave him a two year contract extension which is fair, especially since the prospects should almost all be up by then.
Luke Schenn– Makes the team– I expect Luke Schenn to make the team but I ultimately believe that he will be one of two defensemen shipped out of Philadelphia this season. With one year remaining on his contract, he can be a solid depth guy who will log some minutes for you. I’m not as critical of Schenn as the majority of individuals are; I just think that everyone puts too much weight on what he could have been rather than looking at what he actually is.
Radko Gudas– Makes the team as the seventh defenseman– Radko was acquired in the trade with Tampa that sent Coburn to the Lightning. I believe he has the ability to actually kick one of the six defensemen I just listed out of their starting position. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I also believe that he will be the second defensemen to be traded this season.
Brandon Manning– Doesn’t make the team– Gets sent back to the AHL. I really like Brandon Manning and thought he played very well when given the chance to play out the remaining portion of the season with the Flyers, I just think that there is too much of a log jam on the backend right now. I do expect him to be called upon at some point throughout the season though.
Prospects
Ivan Provorov– Comes the closest to making the team but ultimately falls short-Sent back to the WHL- This was so hard for me just due to the fact that Provorov has every skill set that makes him NHL ready. In my opinion he was the best defenseman in the draft this year. I expect him to have a great camp but due to Hextall wanting to slowly integrate the prospects, he will be sent back to the WHL to play for the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Shayne Gostisbehere– Doesn’t make the roster-Plays in the AHL but will be called up– I’m a huge fan of the kid they call “Ghost”. I believe he will have a good camp and I do believe he would have been in the Flyers lineup had he not torn his ACL last season. So it’s back to the Phantoms for some AHL playing time but he will be called up at some point throughout the season.
Travis Sanheim– Doesn’t make the roster-Sent back to the WHL– Travis Sanheim has a tremendous amount of offensive upside but he still needs to develop his defensive game. Travis has all the attributes to make himself a very good NHL defenseman. Many have projected even a number one or two defensemen. Look for Travis to make a big jump this training camp but still be sent to the Calgary Hitmen for some more playing time.
Sam Morin– Doesn’t make the roster- Sent to the AHL- Sam Morin was the closest prospect to make the roster last year. Sam has made gains in every part of his play. Look for Sam to have another great camp but be sent to the AHL for his first year as a professional player. I will look for Morin to be called up at some point throughout the season as well.
Robert Hagg– Doesn’t make the roster-Sent to the AHL– Robert Hagg is one of those defensemen who have flown under the radar for quite some time now. The biggest complaint I’ve heard of is his inconsistent play. One game he is solid in every aspect of his game, the next he seems very lazy or lackadaisical. Sometimes he seems too relaxed. So I look for him to be sent back to the Phantoms for some more playing time. It’s possible he gets called up for some playing time but I don’t believe it will be before Morin and Ghost.
Needless to say, the training camp battle is going to be incredibly fun to watch, plus, when is the last time the Flyers had this many defensive prospects to be excited about? Especially since defense has always been a sore spot whenever thought about the Flyers. Look for the Phantoms to be an exciting team to watch, especially with the defensive prospects making their way into the roster.