The Philadelphia Flyers are coming off a series of beatdowns from the Tampa Bay Lightning. It's never fun being on the wrong end of a one sided back to back, but it is a good reminder of things.
The Flyers aren't a great team yet. They are far from a bad team, but they aren't pursuing a President's Trophy any time soon. They are a team that could make a playoff run, but frankly if they don't, that's more than ok. In fact, it gives the Flyers an incredible amount of flexibility with what they can do with their lineup.
Here are a few things that the Flyers can get away with during the 2nd half of the season
Let's Get Grebenken on Every Line
Nikita Grebenken is getting a little more time with some different linemates lately, and he's been showing that he's capable of making some offensive plays. He's still throwing his weight around hit-wise. His 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) have come mostly since December, when he's gotten himself different linemates and moved around the lineup.
He wasn't a high draft pick (5th round by Toronto in the 2022 Draft), but eventually became a valued prospect. We're starting to see why. Let's get him some time with the top 6 and see if any more sparks fly early in his career.
Give Michkov, Zegras, and Dvorak A Run
Despite the misgivings some people are feeling about Matvei Michkov, his talent is undeniable. There is an old adage that players need to play. We've let Trevor Zegras play his game, and in the Rick Tocchet system, he's flourished. It's time to let Matvei Michkov do the same.
It doesn't have to be the whole game, but especially when the Flyers are home and have the advantage of last change, you've got to start getting the big guns out there together. Christian Dvorak can take a break from scoring and focus on being the more defensively oriented forward. Let's let the boys get after it offensively and create some magic.
Let's Try A Tippet, Cates, Barkey Line
Tippet and Barkey have a lot of potential as a wing duo. They also need a center that is a little more fleet of foot than what they're getting with Sean Couturier. Asking it to be Rodrigo Abols would be stretching his talent a bit too far, Zegras is tied to Dvorak, so enter Noah Cates.
Cates has lost both of his linemates and will be without one for at least the remainder of the season. Why not let Cates, who is thriving offensively, skate with some of the fastest players on the team, both of whom have offensive gifts? Let them gel, and see what exactly the Flyers can create.
All of this is possible because the Flyers truly have no expectations. If they make the playoffs, they're ahead of schedule. If they don't, they get a top-half of the first-round draft pick. As injuries mount and the season changes, maybe it's time to play some jazz with the lineup.