With only a few weeks remaining before regular season hockey, let’s take a look at the Flyers, likely bottom 6 forwards to start , in no particular order.
Matvei Michkov
Let’s start with the biggest story of the Flyers offseason. The Flyers were about to ice likely the same roster from last year, then word began to circulate that Michkov would be released from his KHL contract in order to come to the NHL. Michkov was selected # 7 overall by the Flyers in the 2023 draft, with perhaps some teams shying away simply with the uncertainty of his ability to be allowed to play in North America. We recently reviewed the challenges his countryman, Ivan Fedotov, had to endure to make it to the Flyers.
Last year, Michkov posted 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 47 games. During the 2023-24 season, Michkov flirted with breaking the KHL record for points by a teenaged rookie.
Despite his youth, Expectations will be high for the talented young player; with possible early Calder talk.
Brent Flahr, Flyers assistant GM, had this to say at the timing of his signing:
“Matvei’s been a world class player since he came on the scene a number of years ago. He wants to be the best. We are excited for him to be a Flyer”
The big question is not how talented, rather, how will the Flyers use him. Torts is well known to be a disciplinarian that historically has some difficulties with young players, or any players for that matter, i.e. Sean Courtier. Talented players need ice time and opportunities. I included Michkov on the bottom 6 list as it seemed unfair to immediately rank him above some of the experienced and talented veterans. It would not be surprising to see the Michkov get significant power play and top 6 minutes this year.
Who knows, Michkov could be so impactful he forces the Flyers to start a young top line of Foerster, Frost and Michkov. All we do know is we should be in for a few more flashy thrills compared with the team the Flyers iced last year.
Nic Deslauriers
(Last Season: 60GP 1G 3A 4P 89PIM -7 +/- 8:09TOI)
At the Michkov press conference announcing Michkov, Flyers GM Briere joked:
“On that, we also showed him the video of the fight of Nic in the Rangers game last year,” Brière quipped. “We told him he’s his [Michkov’s] new best friend.”
Toughness and being a good teammate are never things that are questioned with Delauriers game. Last year, Delauriers played in 60 games for the Flyers putting up 1 goal and 3 assists to go along with 89 PIMs. Delauriers could find it a bit harder to crack the lineup once Michkov gets going. With the Flyers icing essentially the same team with the addition of Michkov and younger players needing time, will we see Delaurier crack 60 games again in a season for the Flyers? Deslauriers has 2 years remaining on this deal with a $1.75MM cap hit.
Garnet Hathaway
(Last Season: 82GP 7G 10A 17PTS 132PIM -7 +/- 12:29TOI)
Garnet Hathaway, along with Delauriers, will be vital in helping Michkov learn the locker room and with learning how to be a pro in the NHL.
Hathaway played all 82 games for the Flyers last year notching 7 goals and 10 assists to go along with 132 PIMs. Like Delauriers, Hathaway is a guy who might get squeezed for ice time as the season rolls along, especially if some of the Flyers youth starts pushing for ice time with the big club. Hathaway in on the last year of his deal carrying a $2.4MM cap hit.
Ryan Poehling
(Last Season: 77GP 11G 17A 28P 6PIM -11 +/- 15:00 TOI)
Poehling signed a two-year extension with the Flyers in January 2024 which kicks in this season pays him $1.9MM AAV, a 500k pay increase from his one-year $1.4MM contract he signed in July 2023.
At the time of his extension signing, Briere said
“Torts has really enjoyed him, likes that he can use him on the PK, for faceoffs. His speed and size combination helps us because of having a few smaller-sized wingers.
Poehling’s 28 points was a slight increase in his points per game average from earlier in his career. The 25-year-old will look to build upon last year and continue to grow and thrive with the Flyers.
Noah Cates
(Last Season: 59GP 6G 12A 18P 0PIM -8 +/- 13:48 TOI)
Frankly, it was impressive to see Cates play 59 games averaging 13:48 TOI and he took zero penalties. I needed to double check that stat, and it was correct, and I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I for one find that impressive. I mean, not once do you misplace your stick and a guy accidentally trips over it. Kudos to Cates. Looking deeper, Cates has only 16 PIM in 157 games with the Flyers, contributing 65 points in his parts of 3 years with the Flyers. That might be a particular skill on a team with Delauriers and Hathaway.
Cates, who will turn 26 in February, is on year 2 of his bridge deal carrying a $2.7MM cap hit. Unfortunately, Cates will have to turn around his slumping points-per-game average which currently sits at 0.3 points per game compared to his 0.5 points per game average in his first 98 games with the Orange & Black. This would be the right year for Cates to get back on track if he wants to be in the Flyers long-term future or if he wants to secure a nice deal in free agency.
Scott Laughton
(Last Season: 82GP 13G 26A 39P 69PIM -9 +/- 15:39 TOI)
Laughton was a likely trade candidate last year and not much is expected to change, as Laughton should remain a top trade target this year.
Laughton, now entering, parts of his 11th NHL season, all with the Flyers. in 2012-13 he played 5 games and in 2016-17 he played 2 games. In his career to date, Laughton has 95 goals and 143 points in 601 games.
As a veteran leader who can play up and down the line-up and offer secondary scoring to go along with a modest $3MM cap hit, he’s a valuable player for the Flyers or a number of other teams. As we saw last season, it will likely take the right offer for the Flyers to move on, especially with two years remaining on this deal.
Tyson Foerster
(Last Season: 77 GP 20G 13A 33P 32PIM 0 +/- 17:16 TOI)
Foerster set new career highs in goals (20), assists (13) and points (33) last year. Now, his goal will be to build off his breakout year in 2024-25.
Foerster’s a guy who, like Michkov could end up playing top 6 minutes. In addition to having already eclipsed the famed NHL 20-goal mark, Foerster’s got a wicked shot and surprisingly put up 102 hits last year, showing he can handle the physicality of the NHL, a concern as a prospect. With Foerster on year 3 of his ELC, the Flyers are going to want to figure out if he is complimentary to their long-term plans and Foerster will want to perform to get paid on his next deal.
The post Flyers 2024-25 Season Preview: Bottom 6 Forwards appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.