Dan Hilferty Chairman & CEO of Comcast Spectacor, Governor | Philadelphia Flyers Website
Dan Hilferty Chairman & CEO of Comcast Spectacor, Governor | Philadelphia Flyers Website
As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, key EDGE stats for each team are identified to preview the 2024-25 season. Today, the focus is on the Philadelphia Flyers and three significant advanced metrics:
1. Forward Owen Tippett recorded the highest maximum skating speed (24.21 miles per hour) in the NHL last season and ranked fourth in 22-plus mph speed bursts (46), trailing Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (118), Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (66), and Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes (49).
Tippett showcased a robust EDGE stats profile last season, ranking among leaders in top shot speed (99.97 mph; 94th percentile), midrange shots on goal (94; 96th percentile), midrange goals (11; 93rd percentile), and long-range goals (four; tied for most among NHL forwards). He was 11th in the entire NHL in shots on goal (289) and has emerged as one of the most versatile wings according to advanced metrics.
2. Philadelphia tied for seventh in offensive zone time percentage (42.3) last season and skated the fifth-most miles (3,763.59) of any team, led by defenseman Travis Sanheim, who ranked ninth in total skating distance at even strength (235.93 miles).
Although the Flyers missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, they exceeded preseason expectations by ranking eighth in shot attempts percentage at 5-on-5 (51.6) under coach John Tortorella. They held a postseason spot for most of the season before being eliminated during their final game. With elite forward prospect Matvei Michkov’s early arrival and a full season from goalie Ivan Fedotov and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, Philadelphia aims to build upon its successful possession metrics.
3. Beyond Tippett’s contributions, the Flyers ranked fifth in midrange shots on goal (717). Forward Travis Konecny excelled with midrange goals (15; 98th percentile) and midrange SOGs (88; 95th percentile). Rookie Tyson Foerster also stood out with goals (12; 94th percentile) and shots on goal from those areas (73; 90th percentile).
Foerster tied for third among NHL rookies in goals last season with 20—just two behind Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks—and tied for second among rookies in power-play goals with four, behind Dmitri Voronkov of the Columbus Blue Jackets who had six. The Flyers' strong group of forwards aged 25-and-younger—including Michkov, Tippett, Foerster, Joel Farabee, and Morgan Frost—provides them a realistic chance to make the postseason.
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More: NHL EDGE stats leaders
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