New York Rangers: ranking the Metro division defenses

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers will come into the 2017-18 season with a favorable lead over New Jersey in defensive rankings. That is all due in part to Shayne Gostisbehere. The 24-year old phenom represents all that is good in the future of NHL defenseman. 

In his second season, Gostisbehere experienced a minor form of the sophomore slump. After recording 46 points and 17 goals in 64 games his first season, his point totals regressed to 39 and 7 over 76 games this past season. 

The Flyers have another young, intriguing defenseman in Ivan Provorov. The 20-year old Russian prospect burst onto the NHL scene with 30 points, and eight goals, in a full 82-game season. 

Outside of those two high-upside players, the Flyers’ defense is full of anchor defenseman. Andrew MacDonald continues to be a thorn in their side, while Radko Gudas will spend another season bruising opponents in Flyers orange. 

With so much uncertainty surrounding this group in Philadelphia, don’t be surprised to see them miss the postseason again in 2018.