We all know the Flyers started their offseason early after missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. The real offseason started off with a bang, acquiring Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. It was a bold move that cost the Flyers surprisingly little. More than that, it set the Flyers up for greater things to come via the draft or free agency.
With that in mind, let's look at the current roster as is. Where does Zegras fit and how it affects the lineup. For now, we'll ignore the goaltenders as we already know it currently is Sam Ersson and Aleksei Kolosov.
The Offense
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Tyson Foerster | Trevor Zegras | Matvei Michkov |
Travis Konecny | Sean Couturier | Owen Tippett |
Noah Cates | Bobby Brink | |
Nicolas Deslauriers | Garnet Hathaway | Rodrigo Abols |
The offense is starting to take shape. First of all, we're going to assume that Zegras is taking the top line role as center. He can be flanked by Tyson Foerster and Matvei Michkov for what could be a potentially fast and scary line. This line has the ability to give opposing defenders fits and could become the among the highest scoring lines in Flyers history.
Behind that, Couturier is taking up the second line center role with Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett on his sides. This would be a solid veteran line that could give the Flyers an impressive top-six.
Noah Cates, who can slide up and down the lines at center, helms the third line with Bobby Brink on his wing. At his left is...well, nobody yet. Jakob Pelletier is still on the roster until the new NHL calendar year begins. The Flyers have yet to extend him a contract. He is a pending free agent. Will be be giving a qualifying contract, extended, or will he walk?
With that in mind, there is also the possibility of the Flyers signing Russian free agent Maxim Shabanov. Recent news has suggested that he has signed onto a sports agency with NHL connections. Could this signal a move to Philly? If so, he could fit the top line with Michkov, moving Foerster down to the third line. That could create the scariest third line in the NHL and, if Shabanov is as good as his hype, immediately improve the Flyers' chances of making the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the fourth line seems to be a fairly solid line with Nicolas Deslauriers, Garnet Hathway, and Rodrigo Abols. This line also could be in flux. If the Flyers want to part ways with Deslauriers, as he was used sparsely this past season, this could change.
Defense
Left Defender | Right Defender |
|---|---|
Travis Sanheim | Jamie Drysdale |
Nick Seeler | |
Egor Zamula | Emil Andrae |
Before looking at the defensive lines, we have to remember two key things. First, Rasmus Ristolainen is injured and won't be ready until the season has already gotten underway. Secondly, Cam York is still a pending RFA. We know that the two sides are talking, but that's about it. It is possible that if he is re-signed, he'd slide in with Travis Sanheim on the top line or with Nick Seeler on the second unit.
Still, that bottom pairing of Egor Zamula and Emil Andrae seems lacking. They have to step up or else a prospect like Helge Grans or Oliver Bonk could take one of those spots. Likewise, it could still be a spot filled in via a trade or free agent.
The roster is taking shape. There is still a hole on offense and defense, depending on what transpires with Pelletier and York. There is free agency, the draft, and other trades to consider. This is still a work in progress. Let's see what shakes down this week.