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Flyers well-respected in ESPN’s mid-offseason rankings

By Ariel Melendez

Ivan Provorov, Matt Niskanen, Oskar Lindblom, Tyler Pitlick, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and defenseman Robert Hagg, Philadelphia Flyers (Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)
Ivan Provorov, Matt Niskanen, Oskar Lindblom, Tyler Pitlick, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and defenseman Robert Hagg, Philadelphia Flyers (Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports) /
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After finding themselves completely off one list, the Flyers are considered a top-10 team according to ESPN.

The Flyers took a big step forward this year under first-year head coach Alain Vigneault. He helped a once middling team to the second round of the playoffs. Young players took on bigger roles and excelled with the extra responsibilities.

Pro Hockey Talk recently released their top-10 teams right now list. The Flyers were nowhere to be found. One of the best teams in the league when the season was paused was somehow not one of the best. They argued that the Flyers hadn’t done much this offseason to improve.

They re-signed a few of their key free agents such as Brian Elliott, Oskar Lindblom, and Nolan Patrick. They also added Erik Gustafsson on the back-end in free agency. They did lost Matt Niskanen to retirement, though.

There is faith that some of the young defensemen can step up to help replace Niskanen’s impact. Phil Myers and Travis Sanheim were one of many to step up this past season. They will almost certainly have even bigger roles moving forward.

With almost the same team returning next season, it’s hard to believe that there isn’t belief this team can put it together once again. If you ask Emily Kaplen of ESPN, tnere is a similar feeling to this Flyers teams.

In the mid-offseason rankings, the Flyers were listed as the eighth best team. The criteria of the list included past results and offseason additions. This is what what was said about Philadelphia.

"“The Flyers haven’t done much this offseason, hoping to reap the rewards of a well-built prospect system that has finally materialized. Philly did add offensively minded defenseman Erik Gustafsson, who should help quarterback a dreadful power play (which scored on just four of 52 opportunities in the postseason).”"

So while they note the lack of moves, there is the belief that Gustafsson will be able to help the team offensively. And the strong prospect system that the Flyers have grown is mentioned as well. A system that graduated players such as Carter Hart, Ivan Provorov, Travis Konecny, etc.

They are also listed as having +1200 Stanley Cup Odds according to William Hill. Other teams ahead of them on the list include the recent champions in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fellow Metro foes in the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders are barely ahead of them as well.

With a system that has even more talent in the pipelines, they are only expected to take more steps forward as time goes on. And at least one group out there believes the Flyers have a solid team on the ice.

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