Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) celebrates his goal with teammates against the New York Islanders during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
In the 2014-2015 the Philadelphia Flyers went through a disappointing season, just posting a 33-31-18 record and going just 3-11 in shootouts. The Flyers finished sixth place, just ahead of the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division.
In the Flyers season series against the Rangers, the two teams faced off against each other four times and the Rangers won the season series 3-1. The Flyers were outscored 12-6 in the series and were shutout twice by Rangers backup goaltender Cam Talbot.
Jakub Voracek, who played in all four season series games against the Rangers had one goal, two assists and was the Flyers standout player in the series.
Next: Flyers Best Player last Season
Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) against the New York Islanders during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Voracek in the 2014-2015 was a flat out beast, almost averaging a point a game player, as he had 81 points in 82 games played.
Voracek lead his team with assists with 59 and second on the team in goals with 22, only trailing Claude Giroux who had 25 goals. Despite the atrocity the Flyers were last year, Voracek was still a plus player who was one of their top players in minutes.
Next: Additions this Offseason
Apr 9, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Arizona Coyotes forward Sam Gagner (9) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Flyers had three key additions this offseason.
They Flyers started things out by parting ways with head coach Craig Berube and appointing Dave Hakstol as the new head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Last but not least and probably the biggest move going forward was their first round draft choice Ivan Provorov, who might have been arguably the best defensemen selected in the draft.
Next: Departures this Offseason
Mar 28, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (15) skates with the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Flyers did not have many subtractions this offseason, as they only had two of them.
One was trading Zac Rinaldo to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2017 third round draft choice.
The other was losing Ray Emery to free agency, where he was given a tryout by the Tampa Bay Lightning, then released to free agency.
Next: Question Marks Surrounding the Flyers
Apr 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matt Read (24) and defenseman Michael Del Zotto (15) react to a goal by Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone (not pictured) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Are they a rebuilding team or a team that can make the playoffs?
After making the playoffs just a year ago and being sent home by the New York Rangers, everything seemed to have headed down hill from there, in which they were a mediocre team last year.
The Flyers aren’t a rebuilding team, but they are what is called a short term retooling team. Rebuilds can last up to 5 years or more, retools are usually no more than 2-3 years, if even that.
The Flyers have pieces but need that extra year maybe even another to be back in the discussion for the playoffs.
Philadelphia Flyers /
Philadelphia Flyers
Is the Flyers defensive core up and coming?
Three young defensemen to keep an eye on are Shane Ghostisbehere, Michael Del Zotto, and Ivan Provorov.
The only defensemen out of the three that is all but guaranteed to spend a full season in the NHL this year is Michael Del Zotto.
As for Provorov and Ghostisbehere they both have serious top 4 NHL defensemen potential, but both will not start the season with the Flyers. Provorov will spend the rest of the season in the Western Hockey League (WHL) and will not be called up this season.
As for Ghostisbehere, he was currently cut and sent back down to the American Hockey League (AHL) and it might not be long until he is back on the Flyers NHL roster. Ghostisbehere is probably NHL ready at the moment, but the Flyers are not rushing him and taking a precautionary side, as he suffered a torn acl that ended his 2014-2015 season.
By the 2016-2017 season Provorov and Ghostisbehere should have a good shot to make the opening day rosters.
Who are some underachieving players?
Now, many people will put the blame towards 2012 first round pick Sean Couturier for their lack of goal scoring, but is he really the issue?
Don’t get me wrong 37 points in 82 games in nothing to brag about, but he is a 3rd line center and is one of the better defensive centers in the game. Because of that Couturier earned himself 6 year deal at an AAV of 4.33 million a season.
Prior to his recent contract he was making just less than $2 million a season and his 37 points are only going to go up. Now how about the real underachieving players such as forwards R.J Umberger and Vincent Lecavalier, who both combine for AAV’s of over $9 million dollars a season.
Which both Lecavalier and Umberger combined for 35 points which is two less than Couturier. Both Lecavalier’s and Umberger’s offensive production were a nightmare last season and Sean Couturier is the problem?
Next: Season Predictions in the Division, and against the Rangers
Sep 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol on the bench during third period New York Islanders during the third period at PPL Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The Flyers are always a tough team to predict, but regardless where they are in the standings they have the talent on any given night to beat any given team.
As a team whose fighting to get into the playoffs or a team that needs points to move up in the standings the Flyers wouldn’t be at the top of my list of teams I would want to play.
Just ask their biggest rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have been completely dominated by the Flyers in both regular season meetings and playoff meetings.
As for the Rangers, even though the Rangers for the vast majority enjoyed their games against the Flyers in recent years, they can still beat you.
For example, back on February 28th of 2015 when the Rangers were contending for the president trophy the Flyers were pretty much playing meaningless hockey and won 4-2. So are they a threat?
