Season Preview: Philadelphia Flyers
Updated: Oct 4, 2022
Conference: Eastern
Division: Metropolitan
Menu:
Offseason
Additions: Tony DeAngelo, Nicolas Deslauriers, Justin Braun, Adam Brooks
Subtractions: Oskar Lindblom, Keith Yandle, Martin Jones, Gerald Mayhew, Nate Thompson
Bringing in DeAngelo gives the Flyers a bonafide powerplay quarterback, but the lack of additions to the forward group has a lot of people shaking their heads in confusion. The only notable addition is career fourth-liner Deslauriers, who was brought in for his toughness.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: Cam Atkinson (Lower Body), Joel Farabee (Back), Rasmus Ristolainen (Upper Body), Cam York (Lower Body), Nick Seeler (Lower Body), Carter Hart (Lower Body)
Questionable For Opener: Nicolas Deslauriers (Undisclosed), Patrick Brown (Undisclosed)
Out To Begin Season: Sean Couturier (Back), Bobby Brink (Hip)
Out For Season: Ryan Ellis (Pelvis)
The Philadelphia Flyers are currently bombarded with injury news, including potential long-term injuries to star center Couturier and top prospect Brink. Also, top-pair defenseman Ellis is likely out for the season, and a slew of guys recovering from injuries during the offseason leaves their opening night lineup in question.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (25th)
Joel Farabee - Kevin Hayes - Cam Atkinson
James van Riemsdyk - Scott Laughton - Travis Konecny
Noah Cates - Morgan Frost - Owen Tippett
Nicolas Deslauriers - Patrick Brown - Zack MacEwen
Defense (26th)
Ivan Provorov - Tony DeAngelo
Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York - Justin Braun
Goalies (29th)
Carter Hart
Felix Sandstrom
The Flyers' lineup wasn't much to write home about even before being decimated by injury. It should be noted that forwards Artem Anisimov and Antoine Roussel were brought in on tryouts during camp, and could help fill in the middle-six.
The core of the blueline returns, and DeAngelo adds offense but is not a shutdown defenseman by any stretch of the imagination. York has yet to live up to his draft pedigree as well, so this will be a big year for him to prove himself.
In net, Hart simply does not project well after falling off the last couple seasons. His backup - Sandstrom - is unproven but was impressive in limited time last season.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: -None-
Playmakers: Cam Atkinson | Travis Konecny
Volume Shooters: Cam Atkinson | Travis Konecny
Play-Drivers: -None-
Shutdown Defenders: -None-
Shot Blockers: Rasmus Ristolainen | Ivan Provorov | Travis Sanheim | Justin Braun
Hitters: Patrick Brown | Nicolas Deslauriers | Zack MacEwen
Enforcers: Nicolas Deslauriers | Zack MacEwen
Penalty Drawers: Travis Konecny | Joel Farabee | Scott Laughton
PP Specialists: -None-
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: Scott Laughton | Patrick Brown | Sean Couturier
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Cam Atkinson
Duds: Kevin Hayes, Carter Hart
Sleepers: -None-
Other Roster Worthy: Tony DeAngelo, Travis Konecny, Joel Farabee
Atkinson is the only premier target on Philadelphia for your fantasy drafts, with solid shot rates and proven production without great talent around him. Usually it's smart to target the team's top center as well, but Hayes is only in that position by necessity. Hart should be a bust as well, as unimpressive play plus a low projected win total for his team will likely do more harm than good to your fantasy team.
DeAngelo, Konecny, and Farabee will be leaned on heavily this season, which makes any of them roster-worthy as late-round adds.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Cam Atkinson | F | 30 | 38 | 68 | | | | |
Travis Konecny | F | 21 | 37 | 58 | | | | |
Joel Farabee | F | 27 | 28 | 55 | | | | |
Kevin Hayes | F | 20 | 36 | 56 | | | | |
Sean Couturier | F | 8 | 14 | 22 | | | | |
Tony DeAngelo | D | 10 | 43 | 53 | | | | |
Carter Hart | G | | | | 25 | 205 | 1553 | 4 |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 72 points
Floor: 63 points Ceiling: 91 points
Projection Data Confidence: 65%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +250000
President's Trophy: +60000
Conference: +25000
Division: +15000
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +15000
President's Trophy: +10000
Conference: +10000
Division: +7500
Any futures bet on the Flyers is just a donation, with the team projected to finish near the bottom of the league.
Daily betting on the Flyers could get interesting if backup goalie Felix Sandstrom performs admirably again this season. Catching the sportsbooks sleeping when he is in opposed to Hart on unders and potentially as underdogs and on the +1.5 goal puckline could be something to watch. In the meantime, stay away from Philadelphia in general.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 7th
Conference Projection: 15th
League Projection: 28th
Playoffs? No chance
It's likely a cellar dweller season for the Flyers, with GM Chuck Fletcher on the hot seat. Coach John Tortorella was brought in to try to get the most of this team, but the roster is simply not talented enough to get to any place of substance.
The team will likely go through an overhaul, potentially beginning mid-season and at the trade deadline. Look for Philadelphia to challenge for prime draft lottery position.
Will the Philadelphia Flyers make the playoffs?
- Yes
- No