Four Flyers Who Could Become Future All-Stars
By Scott Cole
Travis Konecny is this year's representative for the Philadelphia Flyers at the NHL All-Star game and festivities in Toronto. This is his second time; although it should be his third. For whatever reason, Kevin Hayes was selected last year over Konecny. Konecny had last been chosen in 2019-20 when he had three assists. In between Konency and Hayes, and before then, it was the Claude Giroux show.
In fact, the Flyers have been sending just one representative to the All-Star Game for quite a while. The last time it was more than one player was 2015 when Giroux was joined by linemate Jakub Voracek. In 2012, Giroux was joined by Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timmonen. If you look at the history of this team, it really has been mostly the last few years that Philly has sent just one lone player to the All-Star Game, but to be fair, there has been a lot of expansion since the 1970s and 1980s.
This got me thinking. Which players, besides Konecny, could represent this team in future All-Star contests?
Owen Tippett
Tippett has just been signed to a major contract extension. There is a good reason for this. The kid is good. Ever since coming here in the Giroux trade, he has helped Flyers fans forget their former captain. He's putting up similar goal numbers to Giroux at his age (Tippet had 27 as a 23 year old and Giroux had 25). He's comfortable here and has blossomed. At some point, the NHL will take notice and he'll go to an All-Star Game. After Konecny, he is the most likely one to receive that honor.
Joel Farabee
Farabee has shrugged off any rust from his neck injury. He is just three goals away from tying his career high of 20. His 40 points this season in just 50 games are already a career high for him. He is quickly becoming a points monster. If you feed him the puck, there is a good chance he'll get it in. He's young and dyanmic. Because of this, it is very likely he'll be an All-Star someday.
Sean Couturier
Couturier is a Flyers' institution. He's won a Selke Trophy and seems as if he could be on his way to being considered for another one this year. You could argue that he is one of the major reasons that the Flyers are playing a lot better this season. The NHL likes to reward those guys who are solid, all-around performers. There are few guys in the league who are as good on the offensive side of the ice as on the defensive. At some point, he'll be honored.
Travis Sanheim
In less than a calendar year, Travis Sanheim has gone from being ran out of town to the best blueliner this team has. He is a scant six points away from tying his career high of 35 points. Not only is his offensive game dramatically improved, but he has become a smarter defender. It is not outside the realm of possibility that he could be named to an All-Star Game someday.