The 2020-2021 Philadelphia Flyers season was far from what they expected it to be. It was a major disappointment from management all the way down to the players.
In a season that started with high hopes after a 12-5-3 start, ended with major doubt after a 13-18-5 finish. Doubt that has left many holes & question marks.
The work & control is in GM Chuck Fletcher hands. Something that will make or break the Flyers for years to come.
Many believed Fletcher’s start offseason was his most important. However, with most of the Flyers core being free agents in 2022, this offseason will control the Flyers direction for the future.
Now, lets get to the players…
Team Leaders
– Goals : Joel Farabee (20)
– Assists : Jake Voracek (34)
– +/- : Scott Laughton (+13)
– TOI : Ivan Provorov (25:00)
37 Brian Elliott
– Stats: 30GP (26-starts) : 15-9-2 : .889% 3.06 GAA
Elliott was the Flyers saving grace in net. With Carter Hart having trouble finding his game, the 36-year-old net-minder was a calming force for the Flyers. With Elliott being an UFA, his future in Philadelphia is unknown. But, Elliott mentioned on Tuesday that if the opportunity presented itself, he would love to be back.
79 Carter Hart
– Stats: 27GP (25-starts) : 9-11-5 : .877% 3.67 GAA
Hart battled hard this season & was faced with a tremendous amount of adversity. Which, according to head coach Alain Vigneault, will only help Carter. After struggling to find his game early, Hart needed a reset midseason to find his game. However, after finding his game, an injury ended his season.
28 Claude Giroux (C)
– Stats: 54GP : 16G – 27A : -4 : 18:06 TOI
Giroux continued to be the leader the Flyers need. Always being the calming presence & also the on-ice leader when needed. After a hot start, Giroux’s game was effected heavily from his spell with covid. But, his fight & determination did not go unnoticed. Especially from his head coach Alain Vigneault who said “no-one fought harder than Claude this season.”
14 Sean Couturier (A)
– Stats: 45GP : 18G – 23A : -4 : 19:20 TOI
Couturier battled through an early injury to still win the team MVP. After missing 10 of the first 12-games, Couturier had a normal season. But, Couturier agreed with head coach Alain Vigneault’s statement about not being a typical “Couts” season. Next season is a big year for Couturier as he is an UFA in 2022.
9 Ivan Provorov (A)
– Stats: 56GP : 7G – 19A : +4 : 25:00 TOI
Provorov was tasked with his biggest challenge yet in the NHL. With the retirement of Matt Niskanen, Provorov was tasked with being the defensive leader. A role that Provorov struggled in a bit. But, showed tremendous amounts of potential. Leading the Flyers ice-time once again & being only one of two to play in all 56-games.
13 Kevin Hayes (A)
– Stats: 55GP : 12G – 19A : -2 : 17:31 TOI
Hayes struggled this season & did not look like the normal Kevin Hayes for most of the season. On Tuesday, Hayes confirmed why he struggled this season & revealed that he played through an injury for most of the season. Something that will require a minor surgery.
93 Jake Voracek (A)
– Stats: 53GP : 9G – 34A : -12 : 16:55 TOI
Voracek was the typical Jake Voracek. But, struggled to find his usual major presence on the Flyers lack-luster power-play. It will be an interesting off-season for Voracek with the expansion draft & the possibility of being selected. On Tuesday, Voracek was the only Flyers regular to not speak to the media.
5 Phil Myers
– Stats: 44GP : 1G – 10A : -10 : 18:52 TOI
Myers was another Flyer who was effected heavily by the injury bug. Like Couturier, Myers missed most of the start of the season due to a rib injury. Myers also said he played through an AC joint sprain for most of the season. But, Myers was very upbeat & said “I’m chomping at the bit for training camp”.
6 Travis Sanheim
– Stats: 55GP : 3G – 12A : -22 : 21:53 TOI
Sanheim’s role this season was elevated with the retirement of Matt Niskanen. While there was some good moments, Sanheim struggled in his expanded role. Finishing with the 2nd worst +/- on the team.
8 Robert Hagg
– Stats: 34GP : 2G – 3A : -3 : 15:40 TOI
Hagg struggled to start the season & couldn’t find his spot in the lineup. Becoming a regular healthy scratch mid-way through the season. On Tuesday, Hagg revealed the reason for his struggles was playing through pulled groin.
11 Travis Konecny
– Stats: 50GP : 11G – 23A : -5 : 15:54 TOI
Konecny started his season on a mission. Scoring 5-goals & 2-assists in his first 5-games. However, struggled to find this game after ending up on the covid list. Finishing with just 6-goals & 21-assists over the final 45-games. Including going goal-less for 11-games during the Flyers most important stretch of the season.
19 Nolan Patrick
– Stats: 52GP : 4G – 5A : -30 : 13:17 TOI
Patrick did not get cleared for the season until about a month before training camp started. After not playing a hockey game for 19-months, Patrick struggled to find his game. But, Patrick finished the season & played in 52 of 56-games. Which was a huge positive after missing last season with a migraine disorder.
21 Scott Laughton
– Stats: 53GP : 9G – 11A : +13 : 15:25 TOI
Laughton was the most consistent Flyer all season. Leading the team in +/- & always giving it his all and showing up on a nightly basis. Laughton admitted the uncertainty around the trade deadline effected his game. But, Laughton was rewarded with an extension that will keep him in Philadelphia until 2026.
23 Oskar Lindblom
– Stats: 50GP : 8G – 6A : -9 : 13:11 TOI
Lindblom continued to be an inspiration for the Flyers. After returning from his cancer diagnosis in just 8-months last season, Lindblom continued his return this season. Playing in 50 of 56-games this season. Lindblom admitted it was hard, especially with the limited training & the Flyers rigorous schedule. But, is looking forward to a fully healthy offseason in the lead-up to next season.
25 James van Riemsdyk
– Stats: 56GP : 17G – 26A : +2 : 16:33 TOI
van Riemsdyk was the best Flyer at the start of the season. Scoring 10-goals & 16-assists in the first 20-games of the season. But, like most Flyers, van Riemsdyk struggled to produce during the most important part of the season. Finishing with just 7-goals & 10-assists over the final 35-games.
45 Cam York
– Stats: 3GP : 0G – 0A : -1 : 19:47 TOI
York turned pro in March after two seasons at Michigan. After 8-games with the Phantoms, York made his NHL debut on May 7th. In his 3-games with the Flyers, York did not look out of place at all. Impressing not just the coaching staff, but his teammates as well.
53 Shayne Gostisbehere
– Stats: 41GP : 9G – 11A : -2 : 19:56 TOI
Gostisbehere’s season did not start how he wanted it too. Ending up on the covid list & missing the first 6-games. After, Gostisbehere pretty much returned to his normal self. On Tuesday, Gostisbehere said this season taught him a lot. Saying “I got my confidence back” & that he feels like his usual self again.
54 Egor Zamula
– Stats: 2GP : 0G – 0A : +2 : 17:04 TOI
Zamula, like York, made his debut this season. While it was a small sample size, Zamula impressed in his limited time. But, Zamula’s thin frame showed in his 2-games. If Zamula wants a chance at making the team next season, he needs to add some muscle.
55 Sam Morin
– Stats: 20GP : 1G – 0A : -7 : 10:12 TOI
Morin had a roller-coaster of a season. After starting with a move to LW, Morin returned to his normal defense position mid-way through the season. Where Morin shined. Morin is an UFA & his status with the Flyers is unknown. But, Morin said on Tuesday that he can bring a physicality that he believes is missing on the Flyers.
57 Wade Allison
– Stats: 14GP : 4G – 3A : +1 : 12:56 TOI
Allison started the year on injured reserve. In his first year of pro hockey, Allison earned his call-up with an impressive start with the Phantoms. In his 14-games with the Flyers, Allison showed why he deserves to have a spot on the opening night roster next season. Including making an impact with all his teammates. Who all had nothing but great things to say about him.
58 Tanner Laczynski
– Stats: 5GP : 0G – 0A : +1 : 9:59 TOI
Laczynski, like Allison, earned his call-up with an impressive first pro season with the Phantoms. After starting in a limited role, Laczynski role was elevated before his season came to an end with an injury. In his limited time, Laczynski proved he can hang with the big boys & will be a name to watch for a bottom-6 role in training camp.
61 Justin Braun
– Stats: 53GP : 1G – 5A : +0- : 18:32 TOI
Braun was the veteran leader the Flyers needed on the backend. Before the Flyers final game, head coach Alain Vigneault said Braun would have been his MVP. Which, in that game, Braun played to his final whistle like it was his final whistle of his career. Putting his body on the line & ultimately his season ending with a broken foot.
62 Nicolas Aube-Kubel
– Stats: 50GP : 3G – 9A : -3 : 11:10 TOI
Aube-Kubel season was one to forget. After earning his spot in the lineup last season, Aube-Kubel struggled this season. Especially with penalties. On Tuesday, Aube-Kubel was not shy to talk about his struggles. Finishing with “I have a spot to defend” during training camp next season.
81 Carsen Twarynski
– Stats: 7GP : 0G – 0A : -3 : 8:51 TOI
Twarynski made the team out of training camp last season. With the departure of some roll-players, Twarynski had the opportunity to win an everyday spot this year. Unfortunately, that wasn’t case & Twarynski ended up on the taxi-squad.
82 Connor Bunnaman
– Stats: 18GP : 0G – 1A : -6 : 11:34 TOI
Bunnaman looked like a regular during the start of the season. With Couturier’s injury, Bunnaman made the most of his opportunity & made head coach Alain Vigneault’s decision hard to keep him out of the lineup. But, after struggling mid-way through the season, Bunnaman ended up on the taxi-squad.
86 Joel Farabee
– Stats: 55GP : 20G – 18A : +0- : 16:01 TOI
Farabee was the biggest bright spot for the Flyers this season. Making a huge jump in his sophomore season which got raving reviews from management & his head coach. But, even with his big jump, Farabee made sure to make it known he can even be better. “Try not to have those 10 games slumps, those 15 game slumps. If I can eliminate that and kind of bring it a little bit more every night. I think I can really, really help the team a bit more.”
PHOTO CREDIT : Len Redkoles – Getty Images
