We are about three weeks away from Flyers training camp. There's excitement to see which rookie might surprise us and earn a spot on the roster. Fans also can't wait to see what the new additions will bring to the team. More importantly, it's about watching what Rick Tocchet will do to build respect and team chemistry.
While training camp brings new hope for a new hockey season, some guys might come in under a cloud. Their roster spot could be in jeopardy. Could it be this last year as a Flyer? Could they be on the hot seat this fall? Let's look at five guys who could be in trouble.
Trevor Zegras
It's not that he's been a bad player. It's not that people think poorly of him. On the contrary, there are a lot of hockey fans (and writers) who are excited to see what he can do in a new environment. The price paid for him in the trade wasn't too high, so that's not the issue.
The issue is, can Trevor Zegras stay healthy? When he has, he has performed well on a bad Anaheim team. Then injuries hit. With a new head coach and a new team, he has all the opportunities to start fresh as either a top-six center or left wing with some really exciting talent. It's up to him to put it together. If he can, look for a big extension sometime this year. If not, he's not going to be around come June.
Jamie Drysdale
Speaking of Anaheim castoffs, Jamie Drysdale is looking to shake off the injury bug as well and finally put it together. Like Zegras, he will be an RFA at the end of this season. The Flyers seem to be really high on him and like what he can do when healthy.
If he can stay on the ice, he could be a major game-changer. There's no certainty on how Tocchet will employ this team yet, but Drysdale could be one of the guys who help turn it around. However, if he can't stay healthy and/or slumps again, he's going to be trade bait. He is still young, but you can't wait forever for someone to turn it around, especially when top prospects are waiting.
Egor Zamula
Egor Zamula is another young defender who is trying to hold onto a roster spot. Unlike Drysdale, it isn't because of injuries. With him, it is his consistency. When he is on, he is on. When he is not, he can be sloppy. It's that inconsistent play that has made him so frustrating over the last few years, as there is potential and heart he has. He just needs to put it all together.
Along with Emil Andrae, Zamula is a part of a group of young defenders who are still trying to figure out their role. They aren't fast and speedy like Cam York nor gritty and tough like Nick Seeler. Granted, you want them to be themselves and not clones of someone else. Yet, they need to etch out a role. Right now, he doesn't quite have that outside of a 6th/7th defender. Zamula needs to make himself invaluable. If he can do that, he will play a lot this season.
Dan Vladar
Dan Vladar signed a deal this year to prove that the longtime backup deserves a shot at being a starting goalie. Is he worth it? We'll soon find out. Considering that the Flyers have had six goalies over the last two seasons, anything is possible and anything could be a solution.
However, Vladar's deal is only for two years. Maybe he is a bridge until some of the goalie prospects are ready. Maybe he could be the star goalie the Flyers have been waiting for and could push Sam Ersson out of a job for good. Either way, Vladar has to make a great impression in camp. It all starts there.
Rasmus Ristolainen
First of all, will Ristolainen even make it to Thanksgiving? His triceps injury could keep him sidelined until late October to late November. Then he'll probably have to rehab and get his strength and speed back up to par. To be honest, it could be Thanksigiving or Christmas before the Flyers see him.
In that time, there are several prospects and new veterans who could take his spot on the roster. If, say, Oliver Bonk or Helge Grans are playing well, would you sideline them for someone else? It might be hard. Ristolainen will have to come out playing at a level we haven't seen yet to keep his spot in the lineup.
This is less than "is he healthy," but is he "healthy and good"? For me, I'd rather have the future playing, unless you are going to put him out just to trade him away. For him, the worst-case scenario is that Bonk, Grans, or Andrae are playing at such an elite level during his absence that the team realizes they don't need him anymore and just healthy scratches him.