The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[phillychuck]

Big conversation today is who gets to rest tonight. I’d assume both Tippet and TK who are pretty banged up. Then some of the older guys. Carolina rested 5 players yesterday, I’d assume the Flyers would try to get 5 (or six if you count Vladar and bring up a goalie to back up Ersson). Sanheim seems logical, and maybe Risto. Maybe Couts?

[zambonir]

I assume BE means PK as the second thing. Crazy too that they didn't score first so many times and managed to go almost .500 in those games. It really was Vladar who saved them in both of those regards I think. Kept them in a lot of 2-0 games. Saved their bacon on the PK when they weren't completely unmakeable saves.

PP has signs of life with the deeper forward group (Foerster, Martone) and revived Michkov.

Looking forward to seeing Viricek tonight. Obviously Vladar won't play but he'd have to be available, I don't think the Flyers have any more call-up spots left (and Phantoms aren't going to make the playoffs so also no chance of Bump or Barkey going back, plus obviously Bump will play tonight). I'm sure one other D will sit for Juulsen and Wilson and Grundstrom will play too.

Theoretically Abols could be back for the post-season. Grebenkin too.

[bigegypt0417]

Yep...Too many P's!

[zambonir]

Nope you were right PC. Not sure how logistics work but five Phantoms called up including Bonk, Kolosov and McDonald. I'm assuming they are here for good as practice players too, Phantoms just have a three-game road trip left. Or they could fly out tomorrow and come back next week.

[Florida_Sunshine]

I am interested in the boards opinion.

It is very possible that we could have 8 25g scorers next year. At least I think those 8 would average out. Then 2-3 15-20 g scorers. Plus our D. With this strength, how important it is to have killer C? Noah and Dvorak are decent. The kid from Sweden should be a good distributor plus another C signing similar to Dvorak. Curious as to thoughts.

[zambonir]

Dvorak has been solid and Zegras's move to C has been going rather well. But I don't know that I'd count on Berglund next year. Nor Luchanko, obviously.

The market will determine it as much as the roster. If Austin Matthews or Robert Thomas is available you're gonna consider it, especially with wings to spare. But you're also not going to overpay (let alone treat next year as the "go for it" moment. Of course Matthews would be a game-changer, for winning and marketing).

The big swing might also be better geared towards a D-man than a C. And that swing may still be one more year away too.

Hardly the time to think about it but there are are surely 2-3, maybe even as many as 5 solid contributors to this run who still won't be here next year, just in the natural course of changing and trying to get better and integrating youth. And not just the most obvious or seemingly least-missed players.

[Austinfan]

Solid centers, especially ones that are above average defensively, are really hard to find Just look at the TDL and free agency, and how many teams are desperate to add a 2C/3C to their roster.
There are only 15 or so centers who score at a high rate at ES (PP is a separate universe, some guys who are limited as skater can excel in a "half court" game) - EH even strength (no empty net points) scoring:
McKinnon 80, Scheifele 69, Celebrini 63, McDavid 63, Eichel 51, Suzuki 50, Marner 48, Thompson 47, Schmaltz 46, Bedard, ROR, Crosby, Stutzle 45, Aho 44, Tavares 43, Barzel 41, Fantilli, Coyle, Hughes 40.
19 centers with 40 or more ES points.

So It's probably not realistic to go hunting for a 50+ point center, given there only 6 of them this season.
Zegras 39, Dvorak 35, Cates 32, Couts 28.

If one falls into Briere's lap, he'll jump on it. But I think he sees one or two of Nesbitt, Jett or Berglund developing into a 2 way center who can put up 40+ ES points with wings like Martone, Michkov, Foerster, TK, Tippett and Bump/Barkey.

[VoteForKalas]

I still think goalie is where you can see the biggest improvement year to year. I like Vladar, but he is 28, only signed through next season and his price has gone way up.

I'd take a swing at a goalie and have him & Vladar compete for next season in hopes one of the farm guys are ready in 2028. If we can get Vladar for a cheap extension, great, but I doubt that happens now.

[zambonir]

The NHL’s growing goaltending crisis: ‘Everybody’s making bad decisions’

You could spin this story either way - that it's easy to sign the wrong goalie and it's hard to find the right one - but I think they have to re-sign Vladar, and absolutely will. He's not going to hit the open market, and the Flyers can afford him. Zavragin might be three years away (from being ready to start, he could play in the NHL as soon as '27-'28) and Bjarnason isn't a top prospect (Wheeler implied he has an AHL or back-up ceiling in his rankings; he also considers Kolosov merely organizational depth).

Not sure of details but I think there also considerable cap/contract structure advantages to signing Vladar to an extension by a certain date, versus waiting (let alone having to replace him as a FA).

Now, that doesn't mean Errsson is certain to return/can't be upgraded, but he showed a lot this year in terms of his resilience and work ethic, and is also already in hand.

[VoteForKalas]

I would not give Vladar a big extension. He is 28, has one season (this season) of playing more than 30 games and he will ask for a lot with the leverage he has off this season. It is a classic buy high scenario.

I would definitely bring in an upgrade on Ersson. There are multiple teams with goalies either blocked in their system or 1B options that could be available. I'd let it play out until at least mid season. If Vladar repeats or improves on his performance, then I would extend him. If.not, I would keep rolling both out there and let the best player win.

The Flyers have fallen in love with goalies based on one season performance too many times. Unless you have an elite guy which are rare, you need two strong options and let them compete.

[zambonir]

If you listen to Tocchet and the players though, they think Vladar is the real deal and one of the leaders of this club (in addition to the MVP). And he's been actually elite (and has held up to being played too much), not just very good. Right or wrong my guess is he is extended the first day he's eligible (much as Dvorak was, he was on a one-year deal so couldn't do until January 1. But Vladar it will be summer).

[phillychuck]

The U-24 Flyers beat the fully loaded Canadiens tonight 4-2 in a game the Canadiens wanted for seeding. Flyers rested Zegras, Dvorak, Couts, TK, Tippett, Vladar, Sanheim, Risto, Drysdale, and York. Still won--Michkov had a three point game (shooting from everywhere), Bonk and Bump were stars, Martone had 2 points (goal, assist) and played solid, Barkey was scrappy.. Ersson was clutch. Cates and Foerster provided the young veteran leadership...fun game to watch.

[Austinfan]

Bonk was really impressive, not the scoring, mostly puck luck, but his composure on defense.
One play stood out on the PK, he blocked off Caufield from getting a rebound without being obvious and possibly ddrawing an interference penalty.
Very poised, he was the key defensive player for London last season and I think he'll start in Phllly next season.

Jiricek is going to be a struggle, has some big tools, but skating and hockey sense will need work.
Though he isn't the first big RHD they've had to salvage.

McDonald is big and mean but needs to develop better judgment. He may be the swing guy between Allentown and Philly next season, depends on Murchison and what they do about Risto and Seeler.

[zambonir]

Bobby Brink, playoff healthy scratch

[LegoDoom]

Martone's goal was filthy.

[zambonir]

So was Sanny's. Not as flashy, but huge.

Hang on to your helmets...

[LegoDoom]

So was Sanny's. Not as flashy, but huge.

Not really, but his skating set it up. Shooting through like 4 players helped.

Martone was pure.

It's going to suck when Michkov leaves... that's a lot of talent going out the door in a year.

[Florida_Sunshine]

Why would you say that?

[zambonir]

Yeah, but they have been so bad at shooting the puck. Just doing it was a big deal.

Michkov isn't going anywhere. He's starting to hang out with his peer group, giving interviews in English, Tocchet admitted his mistake the other day. Unless it's for Matthews.

[LegoDoom]

Why would you say that?

I'll try....

They say he's out of shape and put him on the 3rd line. But let's call up Porter Martone, who is also young and either out of shape or can't really skate... and put him ahead of Michkov.

They then give Martone like 17+ minutes a night and throttle back Michkov to 14?

Would you stay?