Welcome to part two of my Philadelphia Flyers offseason preview. Over these four parts, I will take a look at trades that should be made, free agent signings that need to happen, prospects that could interest the Flyers, and I’ll also project their offensive and defensive lines come opening night. Without further ado, let’s get right to the free agency preview!
By now, I’m sure you’re all very aware of the Flyers’ storied season this year. They entered the season with a new GM, new coach, and were considered a long-shot for a playoff berth. Yet, they proved everyone wrong by fighting their way into the playoffs. To make matters even more amazing, they took the league-best Washington Capitals to their limit, falling just short of a game 7. Over the course of the season, the Flyers had their highs, and their lows. The team had moments of brilliance, and there were also times of pure stupidity. Above all, they found a way to play like a team.
Despite all the positives, there were still a few negatives this season. The top problem that plagued the Flyers this year, was their lack of scoring. Philly ranked 22nd in the NHL, in Goals Per Game at 2.6. A big reason for that number is that the Flyers had only three players that crossed the 20-goal threshold. Wayne Simmonds led the team with 32 goals, while Claude Giroux (22) and Brayden Schenn (26) also hit 20+. Their next highest goal-scorer was Shayne Gostisbehere, with 17. It’s becoming quite clear, that if the Flyers would like to take the next step forward, they’ll need to acquire more players capable of finding the back of the net.
Another thing the Flyers lacked this season was size and physicality. The Flyers only have six skaters that are 6’2″ or taller, and only two skaters that weigh more than 205 lbs. Call me naïve here, but I believe that you need to have serious size if you want to compete in today’s league. Look around the league at these competitive teams, and you’ll see guys like Evgeni Malkin (6’3, 212 lbs), Alex Ovechkin (6’3″, 230 lbs), Nicklas Backstrom (6’1″, 213 lbs)…they’re all big, physical guys. Look back at the Flyers, and you don’t see that. You see a team full of playmakers that get dominated on the puck, and don’t show a lot in the way of physicality.
What’s missing from this team? Physicality and players that can bury the puck. That needs to change over the summer, and I believe Ron Hextall knows that. With that said, let’s take a look at six free agent targets for the Flyers, once July 1 rolls around.
Tags: Flyers, Free Agency, Hextall, Keith Yandle, Kyle Okposo, Milan Lucic, Steven Stamkos
and Brandon Boykin. Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams were absolutely torched all year long. Down the stretch in December when the Eagles were in prime position to seal the deal, Fletcher and Williams came up very small for the Eagles. Fletcher’s best play that I can think of was the pass on third down that he stopped with his helmet in the fourth quarter against Washington in week 16.
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