The Philadelphia Flyers could be in the middle of a throwaway season, or to be more accurate, still in the beginning of a throwaway year. But this doesn’t have to be a bad thing despite their inability to look sharp consistently or their lack of adequate goaltending, both of which have played into what we’re currently seeing on the ice.
For one, the 2024-25 season will bring the organization one step closer to deciding who’s worth keeping long-term. Players like Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Bobby Brink all seem to be up for the challenge. Sure, the growing pains will likely be present all season, but they could also translate into an excellent learning experience for all the above players.
Further, even those not performing as well, like Joel Farabee, Morgan Frost, Jamie Drysdale, and Yegor Zamula, will also benefit. But it gets even better, as the Flyers look like they’re heading for nothing more than a top-three pick in the 2025 NHL Draft if this horrific play keeps up.
But let’s not forget that they have three to burn in Round 1 next year, and it also means that their potential top-three selection, should everything remain equal from now until April, could find themselves on the ice early. That has been the case for Connor Bedard (Chicago) and Macklin Celebrini (San Jose), so there’s no reason to think otherwise in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers ‘throwaway season’ may be a blessing in disguise
Supposing the Flyers land that top-three pick while their current squad continues to grow together, there are a few players who could help them immediately, much like Bedard did with the Blackhawks. The only difference is that the Flyers actually have a core, unlike the Blackhawks or, in Celebrini’s case, the Sharks.
That said, the Flyers are already ahead of the Hawks and Sharks in their current rebuild, so landing a top pick in the lottery would work wonders here. Per Tankathon, again, assuming everything remains equal just under six months from now, there will be talent galore in 2025.
James Hagens (six points in four games), Porter Martone (25 points in 11 games), or Anton Frondell (four points in six games in J20) are all potential helpers here. As of Tuesday afternoon, Martone was the player Tankathon mocked to the Flyers if the season ended today, AND they held onto that second pick.
Considering the players this team already has, adding someone like Martone could set a team like the Flyers ablaze, or at least somewhat. So, sit back and watch this team grow in 2024-25 despite the bad year, knowing this young squad could ultimately be better off long-term, and with another potential solution coming their way in the 2025 Draft. Just something to think about.