Going through a rebuild, teams are looking to build upon their youth and develop into someone who can contend shortly. The Flyers are in the early stages of said rebuild but need more than their youth to show up.
A young team hasn't been through the trials and tribulations of an NHL season. They haven't experienced what it takes to win those tough games late in the season and hold on to a playoff spot.
That showed down the stretch for the Flyers. They were clinging to one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference before collapsing in the final weeks. They needed a miracle in the season finale, but it was too late by then.
So while that was a valuable experience for the younger players on the team, they alone cannot carry this team to where they want to be. The veterans on the team have to help produce and guide the way.
3 Flyers who need to make an impact for the Flyers next season
Sean Couturier
It all starts with the captain. Playing in his first season since multiple back surgeries, Couturier won by stepping back onto the ice. He's not going to be the same player he was before, but he still needs to find a way to have an impact on the game if he's going to be on the ice as much as he usually is.
He started the season well, looking refreshed and ready to help lead the way. Couturier had 21 points in the Flyers' first 26 games. He would finish with 17 points in the remaining 48 games he appeared in. Whether that was his body not being used to the grind of a season or something else, not having his contributions didn't help.
Couturier was scratched on multiple occasions due to his poor play down the stretch. He still has something to offer as one of the longest-tenured athletes in Philadelphia. Whether it is offensively, defensively, or as a mentor to someone like Matvei Michkov.
Morgan Frost
Frost's name might be familiar as someone who needs to find his way. His name has been all over the rumor mill for years as the 25-year-old still has not solidified his role in Philadelphia. With free agency coming up after this upcoming season, this may finally be the last shot for Frost in a Flyers' uniform.
Consistency has always been a problem for Frost. There will be times when it looks like nothing can stop him and everything is going in. Other times, he looks completely lost on the ice. That is the frustrating part. Frost is a talented player and his creativity is off the charts.
Frost had a career-high 28 assists while posting the second-best goal and point total of his career. However, he found himself in the doghouse once again. He was scratched for 11 games and was benched on multiple occasions as well. Frost has to find a way to work things out on his own before he finds himself on another team.
Rasmus Ristolainen
After offseason surgery to repair a ruptured triceps tendon, Ristolainen is expected to be ready for training camp. The Flyers' defense was constantly in flux with his and Jamie Drysdale's injuries during the season. Ristolainen needs to find a way to stay healthy.
In his limited time this season, the Flyers faired fairly well with Ristolainen on the ice. They carried the play and had the edge in shots. While they were outscored, 20 to 18, they were expected to score more than their opponents.
Ristolainen is not going to be the best defenseman on the ice nor is he going to add a ton of offense. His highest total with the Flyers has been 20, the total he posted last season. His career-high is 45, a total he had in the 2016-17 season with the Buffalo Sabres. What he does add is physicality and snarl. In more limited minutes, Ristolainen has also proven to be a serviceable defenseman.