The Philadelphia Flyers begin a new era with Rick Tocchet at the helm. An era that the team hopes to be the next step in their rebuild.
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It is a new day and once again a new era in Flyers land. One that is being led now by former Flyer Rick Tocchet.
After three years of John Tortorella, the Flyers will now be entering their next step in the rebuild. One they have high hopes for and are banking on is the right move for the future.
With a firm base returning, the Flyers will now look for there young core to take the next step.
In addition to their young core, the next group of prospects is already knocking on the door. Something that will lead to some camp battles and possible roster spots for some new Flyers.
Here are three of the bigger storylines ahead of camp…
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Who is 6th Winger?
The biggest competition in camp is for the 6th winger spot. A spot that will more than likely be filled by one of the Flyers young prospects.
Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink have solidified their spots in the Top9. Leaving just one spot available with currently no one set in that spot.
The obvious choice is former 2022 5th round draft pick Alex Bump, who has jumped to the top of the Flyers prospects list over the past two seasons.
Bump’s rise is a testament to the Flyers believing in his development in the NCAA. A similar path the team trusted in Noah Cates, which has turned out pretty well.
Another option is Jett Luchanko. But, this option is more him playing 3C and Noah Cates moving to wing. Which, at the moment, doesn’t seem likely as Cates has solidified himself as one of the Flyers top three centers.
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Grebenkin or Deslauriers
One staple in pretty much all of Rick Tocchet’s lineups over his coaching career is an enforcer. Someone who sets the tone and will go out and defend all of his teammates.
After John Tortorella’s first season as head coach, the Flyers made two offseason moves to address that. Moves that Tortorella himself said was because he felt the Flyers were too easy to play against and had no toughness.
Nic Deslauriers was that enforcer they signed to address that problem. Garnet Hathaway, not as much of a fighter, was also signed.
Over the past two seasons, Hathaway has ran away as the Flyers “tough guy”. Not the normal, old-timer fighter, but in the new style of NHL enforcer. Heavy hitter, very physical presence.
In the lineup, the Flyers are looking for another complementary piece to Hathaway. While Deslauriers is the leading candidate to be on a line with Hathaway, there is another option, Nikita Grebenkin.
Grebenkin, acquired in the Scott Laughton trade last season, is a carbon copy of Hathaway. Heavy hitting, bigger body new style enforcer. Oh yeah, and did I mention, the Russian factor? Can’t forget about that.
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3rd Defense Pair
With Rasmus Ristolainen on IR for the first two months, the Flyers third pair on defense is going to be an interesting mix.
Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and Nic Seeler will be the Flyers Top 4 defensemen to start the season. But, beyond them, the competition is wide open.
Offseason signings, Dennis Gilbert and Noah Juulsen will join Egor Zamula in the competition of already in the NHL talent. Juulsen having a mini upper hand on the two for a spot because him being right handed and having spent last season in Vancouver with Tocchet.
But, the competition doesn’t stop there.
Oliver Bonk was going to be another name to watch before his upper body injury suffered on Day 1 of rookie camp. Another name to keep an eye on is Helge Grans, who played very well in his 6 games in NHL last season after a great season in the AHL.
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Quick Hits…
- Tyson Foerster is still recovering from offseason elbow surgery. While Foerster has been practicing with the team ahead of training camp, in a purple non-contact jersey, the Flyers will be taking a cautious approach to start camp. One that will see Tyson in that purple jersey at least for the start week of camp.
- Aleksei Kolosov has been named the #3 goalie in the Flyers depth chart. With Ivan Fedotov now in Columbus, Kolosov will be the first man up if the Flyers need another goalie.
- Rasmus Ristolainen will start the year on IR. He is expected to be back in early December.
- With the trade of Ivan Fedotov, the Flyers will open the season with no LTIR used. Ryan Ellis will remain on IR and be out for the season once again.
PHOTO CREDIT: Western Michigan Athletics
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