Cynthia Punsalan SVP, Business Administration | Official Website
Cynthia Punsalan SVP, Business Administration | Official Website
NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect, and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1 to Sept. 1. Today, the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Philadelphia Flyers spent most of last season in a position to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs before a 4-9-3 finish left them four points back of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
With most of that roster returning, plus one significant addition, the Flyers are confident they can reach the postseason for the first time since 2020.
"I do believe our team's right there," forward Travis Konecny said. "We're going to work just as hard as we did last year. We're going to skate and continue to work on some of the young guys getting a little bit better and some of the older guys adding stuff to their game as well. I'm really excited to see where this team can go."
The player generating the most excitement is forward Matvei Michkov. The 19-year-old, selected with the No. 7 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract on July 1, just days after having the final two seasons of his three-year contract in the Kontinental Hockey League terminated.
Michkov had 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 47 games for Sochi, marking him with the second-most points by a teenager in KHL history (Kirill Kaprizov had 42 in 2016-17). He is expected to play a top-six role and be part of Philadelphia's first power play unit.
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said he and his staff are trying to keep expectations at a manageable level.
"We don't see him as a savior," Briere said. "That's certainly not what we're putting on his shoulders. He's 19 years old; he's coming in to learn, to expand his game. We hope that the sky's the limit for him, but we're certainly not expecting him to be the savior of this team."
Michkov appears unfazed by high expectations.
"The main idea always is to win," Michkov said via translator on July 24. "I'm here to help the team win. Just play my style and I'm here to win."
Philadelphia has put support systems around Michkov, including hiring an English-language tutor.
Briere also believes coach John Tortorella will provide another kind of support.
"'Torts' is going to be good for Matvei," Briere said. "He's going to teach him how to be a pro. He's going to teach him how to compete, play hard, defend hard; but he also wants him to be creative and free and try making some plays. I think it's going work awesome between them."
Michkov's biggest impact will come offensively as Philadelphia was ranked 27th in scoring last season (2.82 goals per game) and last on power plays (12.2 percent).
However, one player won't fix their scoring issues alone; further maturation from young forwards like Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, Morgan Frost, Joel Farabee and Noah Cates will be key.
The Flyers also need more consistency from No.1 center Sean Couturier who missed most prior two seasons due back problems but started strong before running low energy during second half finishing one goal final37 games
Briere confident Couturier regain pre-injury form highlighted consecutive30-goal seasons(2017-19) Selke Trophy best defensive forward NHL(2020)
"We expect Sean player first half season last year" Briere said."It's not excuse banged up...Almost every body part hurting other than back good thing"
"He force important player moving forward lead young group"
Another offensive spark could come defenseman Jamie Drysdale who had five points(two goals three assists)24 games acquired trade Anaheim Ducks Jan8 played through sports hernia sustained October surgery April skating late July focused showing healthy
"It's something our [defense] corps needed long time guy control play does" Farabee said."So super pumped have whether5-on-5 power play name playing special great player"
Addition Michkov continued development young forward group healthy seasons Couturier Drysdale has Briere confident Flyers again playing meaningful games late regular season potentially beyond
"I think showed last year competitive team" Briere said."I think we'll working hard experience learned help us hopefully place meaningful stretch maybe better result"