For the Flyers, this is a critical offseason. After spending the last half-decade on the sidelines, they finally returned to the postseason and advanced to the second round. Not bad for a team that had just a 3.8% chance heading into the final stretch of games.
While a lot of people are focusing on what free agents the Flyers may acquire, the defensive unit as a whole needs a proper examination. It's not that it is a bad corps of players. Moreso, it is what will this team look like next season? Who will return? Who might be gone? Any young guys who could crack the roster?
Let's take a deep dive into the roster here.
These Flyers defensemen aren't going anywhere
These are obvious and aren't going to surprise anyone. Travis Sanheim and Cam York both have contracts that will keep them here beyond 2030. They are the Flyers' top defenders and will be around for years to come. They aren't going to be traded or going anywhere for a long, long time.
I'm also going to add Jamie Drysdale to this list. Drysdale is an RFA and, unless something dramatic happens, I'm sure that Daniel Briere will keep Drysdale around for an extended time, too. Drydale had his first truly healthy season and broke out with career highs in goals (8), assists (24), points (32), and average time on ice (21:33 min). He is someone that this team is looking to get more involved in the power play (1G, 8A) and is trying to help elevate his game. If he can produce like this, he was everything he was promised when we acquired him.
Nick Seeler isn't going anywhere either. He's the oldest defender the Flyers have. He doesn't do anything fancy in the way of stats. However, he is the kind of bulldog you need to do the necessary things to succeed. He is a steady force who is reliable. Because of that, despite his age, he has a contract that will keep him in Philly for two more years at the low price of $2.7 million.
However, if a team really wants him as part of a package for a better player that the Flyers really desire, he could be moved. I can't see Briere actively shopping him, but if Seeler is the price for an Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, or a Braden Schneider, then that's a different story. That's a smart move to make
If I am putting money on it, Seeler will remain a Flyer for this upcoming season and will continue to be a major part of this team.
These Flyers could go either way
Two players are enigmas when it comes to the Flyers. We have no real clue if they are staying or going. You can make a case for either one of them to remain and be extended or to be shipped off.Â
Rasmus Ristolainen has played some of the best hockey of his career over the last few months. However, he has an injury history as long as a receipt from Walgreens. Is he worth keeping around, and if so, for how long? Would it be better to trade him now and get something of good value?
Likewise, the same can be said about Emil Andrae. There are times the young Swedish defender has played well enough to prove he belongs in the NHL. There are other times he looks lost. He is an RFA this year. Will he be re-signed and extended? Will he be released? Will he be traded? We'll find out soon.
This Flyer is probably gone
Noah Juulsen's role this season was much like Marc Staal's before him. He was an older vet who wouldn't get a lot of playing time but would be valuable in helping the younger players adjust to Rick Tocchet's style of play. Is there a chance he could return? Possibly. He's cheap. It's an easy contract to carry. He adds a lot more as a mentor than as a player.
Most likely, he's gone. If he comes back, it might come as one of those August signings. Still, if this team were to let any of the seven current defenders walk, it'd be him.
These two younger Flyers have the best chance of cracking the roster
Ok, we've established that Sanheim, York, Drysdale, and Seeler are pretty much locks for next year. That's two-thirds of the defensive pairings. Ristolainen and Andrae could flip a coin. Juulsen is most likely gone, but he was a seventh defender anyway. That leaves two or three of the young defensive prospects who have a shot at cracking the roster.
This is again presuming that there is no trade being made or free agent signing with the Flyers. Which of the young defenders has a legit chance of making the team come September-October?
Realistically, the two with the best shot have to be Oliver Bonk and David Jiricek. Bonk made his pro debut at the end of the season, appeared in a playoff game, and played fairly well. Jiricek played in one game for the Flyers, but has also played in the pros before with Columbus and Minnesota. Also, the team extended Jiricek, so he is easily one of the front-runners.Â
Now, in case of injuries or if there are other reasons that a roster spot opens, look for Helge Grans, Christian Kyrou, Spencer Gill, or Artem Guryev to make their case. A strong camp could also make a good case for Ty Murchison or Hunter McDonald.Â
No matter what happens, the defensive unit that the Flyers employ next season will be different than this season. We'll just have to see if it is improved in any way or not.
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