Who Will Be the Flyers 12 Forwards?
With the first wave of free agency in the rearview window, we’ve got a clearer look at how the Flyers will look whenever the next NHL season gets underway.
Upfront, the Flyers lost Derek Grant to Anaheim, Nate Thompson to Los Angeles, and Tyler Pitlick to Arizona. All three played major minutes for the Flyers in the 2020 playoffs and leave the Flyers with a few decisions to make.
Though they haven’t signed or traded for a forward just yet, Chuck Fletcher seems to be comfortable in what they have.
The one problem that may arise for the Flyers is actually a surplus of forwards with Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom possibly being back in the fold, Morgan Frost on the horizon.
Let’s look at how the Flyers’ forward group might shake out, assuming they don’t make a major move.
Locks // 6
Photo: Joe Mahoney/Associated Press
Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, Travis Konecny
Barring a very unforeseen trade, the Flyers’ six highest-paid forwards will all be back next season. Though almost all had a mildly disappointing playoff run (outside of Kevin Hayes), they’ll make a very good top-six.
With a pair of great two-way centers, the Flyers can match up with the best on both ends of the Ice.
Almost Locks // 5
Scott Laughton, Joel Farabee, Michael Raffl, Oskar Lindblom, Nicolas Aube-Kubel
All five played major roles for the Flyers last season and, except for Lindblom, were key cogs in their playoff run. That said, they’re not quite locks and could be ousted by someone who performs well in training camp.
Lindblom is still a question mark for now, but his return in Game 6 and 7 of the second round bodes well for his return to the lineup next year.
Laughton, Aube-Kubel, and Raffl all were exceptional bottom-six guys – great forecheckers, can drive play at times. But it all depends on what the Flyers value in their lineup – the skill of grit?
As for Farabee, he definitely exceeded expectations last year but he is just 20 years old and could take a back seat if guys like Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom push him out.
In Question // 2
James van Riemsdyk, Nolan Patrick
Photo: Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirer
We saw as the season went on that James van Riemsdyk wasn’t a great fit for Alain Vigneault’s club – especially when he was struggling offensively.
JVR doesn’t have a great two-way game and lacks the quickness to make himself a viable option in the offense when he’s not scoring those dirty goals out in front of the net.
With a $7 million cap hit, it’s still possible that he could be the odd-man out and be moved before the season begins.
As for Nolan Patrick, we just have to wait and see if he’s ready to get back on the ice. The Flyers chose to issue him a qualifying offer and Fletcher’s comments have led us to believe that he should be ready to return next season. But for now, we still don’t know.
On the Bubble // 4
Carsen Twarynski, Morgan Frost, Tanner Laczynski, Connor Bunnaman
The four guys that could push out one of the players in the above categories, Twarynski, Bunnaman, Frost, and Laczynski could all work their way into the lineup with a good training camp or injury from another player.
The most interesting case is Morgan Frost. After spending a year in the AHL and getting into 20 games with the Flyers, he’s getting closer to being an NHL-ready player. But with the Flyers having so much depth upfront, it’s going to be hard to find him a spot in the lineup, especially when he’s not really a fourth-line player and should be playing with skill guys.
For Twarynski, Bunamann, and Laczynski, have the ability to be fourth-line energy guys but will be facing an uphill battle when training camp comes around.
Lineup Prediction
Centers (4): Couturier, Hayes, Patrick, Laughton
Couturier and Hayes are without a doubt the top two centers on the team.
After that, with Fletcher’s recent comments on Patrick, it really seems like he could be back in the lineup next season.
If he does, slotting in at the third center spot seems like the best option and would let Laughton go back to his natural 4C position.
Wingers (8): Giroux, Voracek, Konecny, Farabee, Raffl, Aube-Kubel, Lindblom, van Riemsdyk
Outside of Giroux, Konecny, and Voracek, the Flyers will have some tough decisions to make on the wings.
The Flyers obviously love Michael Raffl who seems to do all the little things that have kept him around for the past seven years. I can’t see someone taking over his spot on the fourth-line just yet.
Farabee and Aube-Kubel played big minutes for the team in their first seasons in the pros and filled their roles well. Farabee got plenty of time in the top-six, was slotted into the top powerplay unit for a while, and showed some major chemistry with Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny. At just 20, he should have himself a big role with this Flyers team next year.
Aube-Kubel was everything you wanted in a bottom-six player. He’s relentless on the forecheck and can chip in a few goals here and there. After being re-signed, Chuck Fletcher noted that he could fill Tyler Pitlick’s role from last season which bodes well for his chances to make the team.
In Lindblom, if he’s healthy, the Flyers will re-gain a major piece to their lineup. He led the team in goals before his diagnosis last December, so as long as there are no setbacks in his health, Lindblom will fit somewhere into the Flyers’ plans for next season.
The last forward spot, barring someone taking his contract off their hands, will likely belong to JVR. Though he put up 40 points last season, it was obvious that Alain Vigneault wanted more out of him and was benched for stretches during the postseason.
His fit is questionable here but I think they’ll keep him around for another year and hope that Seattle takes him in next summer’s expansion draft.
Featured Image: Steven M. Falk/Philadelphia Inquirer
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