The biggest part of the Flyers' rebuild has largely depended on their young core developing into key contributors. It is no longer about figuring out which players fit. That question has already been answered. Now they have more to prove.
A team that had missed the playoffs for five consecutive seasons not only made it, but it also knocked out a veteran Penguins team in the first round. The series had the Flyers' young core written all over it. And despite a four-game sweep at the hands of the Hurricanes, those same players provided the bulk of the offense.
The Flyers are no longer waiting for their youth to arrive. Expectations are rising, and that group of players will be looked at to prove they can drive the team forward. Not every player's next step will look the same. Some simply need to continue on their upward trajectory, like a Denver Barkey or an Alex Bump.
But two players could have large roles in determining just how special this team can be. And both come in very different ways.
The Flyers next step hinges on two key pieces of their young core
Porter Martone is the flashy new piece in the Flyers' arsenal. His impact was felt immediately as he hit the ground running in the NHL. Statistically, the numbers speak for themselves. But more than that, Martone didn't look out of place. Even in a limited sample size, he drove play in nearly every category. And he isn't satisfied with just that. There is still more work to be done for a player who, by all accounts, is expected to play a significant role.
The focus now will be turning that small sample size into an NHL foundation. Martone played 19 games combined between the regular season and playoffs. It was enough to get a feel for the league, especially during the most crucial part of the season. Martone was thrown right into the fire, a sign that the Flyers believed he was ready for it, and a test he passed. But the most important lessons are still to come.
An 82-game season will test Martone's ability to handle the ups and downs of a long season. He played some of the most hockey he's ever played in one season between college, World Juniors, the NHL, and the World Championship. And he even attended development camp when he could've chosen to rest.
But the rigorous NHL schedule is something you can't prepare for. Things won't always be sunshine and rainbows. It's how Martone learns from those moments when things may not go his way. Martone possesses not only the skill to contribute, but the willingness to impose himself on the opposition. That is why his development is so important to what the Flyers can become.
Matvei Michkov has already learned exactly how tough the NHL can be, even after a successful rookie season. While his numbers last season weren't far off his impressive first year, there was far too much inconsistency. Add in the talk about his fitness level and questions about his relationship with Rick Tocchet, and the narrative became much more complicated.
His second season wasn't a failure by any means. But context matters. When expectations were that Michkov would build on the foundation of his rookie season, his step backward takes on another meaning. The Flyers don't need him to simply produce. They need him to consistently dictate the game, especially when the stakes are raised. And that isn't just on the scoresheet. Some of the best players in the NHL make those around them better, and that is what Michkov needs to do.
Michkov showed signs of that with his post-Olympic break resurgence. But the same play didn't follow him to the postseason, arguably when the Flyers needed it most. His lack of offense wasn't the only reason they lost to the Hurricanes, but it tied into a larger reason. The Flyers cannot afford their highly skilled players disappearing in crucial moments.
Michkov has the creativity and the skill to be a dynamic piece of the Flyers' offense. He needs to unlock what made him special, and the team will take that next leap if he can.
Success as a young group isn't about what Martone and Michkov can do individually. While their paths are different and they don't have to become the same type of players, their skill levels can complement each other. It would allow the rest of the youth to fill in the gaps between them.
The Flyers no longer need their young core to prove they belong. They need to determine just how good they can be. Martone's continued development and Michkov's bounce-back could be the difference between the Flyers being a good team and one that could be a legitimate threat.
Add us as a preferred source on Google