We have a few weeks to go before the start of training camp. We are about two months away from the start of the NHL season. Some Flyers' fans are heading into the season with optimism, while others feel as if the team squandered some golden opportunities and did too little. The biggest thing that will affect the shape of this Flyers' team is how the team will look, act, and play under new head coach Rick Tocchet.
With that in mind, what could the Flyers' lineup look like come early October? Granted, this will take into account many things. Things like: players staying healthy, Tyson Foerster not missing the start of the season, and no rookie blowing anyone out of the water and out of a job. Let's start with the offense.
The Forwards
Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
Matvei Michkov | Trevor Zegras/Sean Couturier | Owen Tippett |
Trevor Zegras/Christian Dvorak | Christian Dvorak/Sean Couturier | Travis Konecny |
Tyson Foerster | Noah Cates | Bobby Brink |
Nicolas Deslauriers | Rodrigo Abols | Garnet Hathaway |
Trevor Zegras could get reps on the first line as center. His speed and natural playmaking ability make him a natural complement to Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett. If he fails, Sean Couturier can take over as the top-line center.
If Zegras can't cut it, he can move to the second line as the left winger. In that scenario, Couturier takes the first line and Christian Dvorak helms the second line. It only makes sense as Dvorak was the team's big offseason free agent splash.
The third line of Noah Cates, Bobby Brink, and Tyson Foerster (or Alex Bump if Foerster is injured) can hold down the third line. These three have gotten into a pretty steady rhythm and seem to know each other's instincts well. That's a good line to keep together as much as possible if you can.
Finally, there is the tough fourth line of Nic Deslauriers, Rodrigo Abols, and Garnet Hathaway. This is going to be a physically imposing line that will frighten just about anyone. And if you want to slide in Karsen Dorwart or Devin Kaplan, you can.
The key to this offense is going to be Zegras. Not to put too much pressure on him, but if he can't handle the job at center, someone else will have to. If he flourishes better at the wing, that opens up a spot for someone else to take over at center. If he thrives at center, then someone will have to slide over to the wing spot.
The Defense
Left Defender | Right Defender |
|---|---|
Travis Sanheim | Cam York |
Nick Seeler | Jamie Drysdale |
Dennis Gilbert/Noah Juulsen | Emil Andrae/Egor Zamula/ Oliver Bonk |
The defense is where things get a bit messy. First of all, we have to remember that Rasmus Ristolainen is still out and will come back "eventually". The pairing is pretty much set as Travis Sanheim and Cam York. Jamie Drysdale could also be given a chance, as Nick Seeler can be a solid partner with just about anyone. If Drysdale can stay healthy and become consistent, he might become that top-pair defender we all hoped for. All told, that would give the Flyers the best top-two pairings since Chris Pronger-Kimmo Timmonen and Matt Carle-Braydon Coburn.
The third pairing gets murky. There are a lot of predictions that Oliver Bonk could crack the team. Emil Andrae and Egor Zamula have been around, but have they done enough to earn it? Some think that Zamula may be the odd man out this year. Plus, there are depth vets in Dennis Gilbert and Noah Juulsen that signed in the offseason, and Juulsen has played with Tocchet before. He may have a slight edge.
Goaltenders
As of right now, Sam Ersson is the starter, and it is his job to lose. However, the Flyers have run him ragged by overplaying him and having a leaky defense in front of him. Dan Vladar is ready and waiting. He's supposed to be the backup, but he could challenge for the top spot. Keep in mind, Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov will be waiting to prove they deserve to be in the NHL.