Within the 2024 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers notably handed up on a promising defender by the identify of Zeev Buium. He was one of the vital electrical younger defensemen in collegiate hockey in 2023-24, projected by some to be a top-five choice. When he fell to the Orange and Black at twelfth total, they traded again to take a middle (Jett Luchanko) as an alternative of this dynamic participant.
Nevertheless, it’s comprehensible why the Flyers didn’t spend a premium asset on a defenseman. This isn’t solely as a result of they’ve some promising prospects within the system (and Luchanko is nice), however their again finish ranked among the many prime within the league in 2023-24. Conserving them afloat regardless of one of many league’s worst ending charges and save percentages alike, the protection was important. By way of anticipated objectives, the Orange and Black have been ninth within the league at even energy and seventh in any respect strengths.
It doesn’t take a ton of massive names to have an amazing protection within the NHL, clearly. That’s as a result of the Flyers have a number of their defensive expertise nonetheless growing both in juniors or within the American Hockey League (AHL)—it wasn’t an entire group final season and it gained’t be in 2024-25. However nonetheless, it helped forestall scoring probabilities at among the best charges within the league. What does Philadelphia have presently that makes it seem as if their protection is ready for the long run?
Prime-Pairing Upside: York, Drysdale
Let’s get to 2 gamers who I see as having top-pairing potential: Cam York and Jamie Drysdale. First, we’ll begin out with York. He wasn’t at his finest final season—his offense was restricted as he spent most of his vitality retaining the puck out of his personal internet. On the similar time, although, he appeared very comfy in a first-pairing position on a aggressive crew. At simply 23 years of age, there may be a number of potential for the long run.
Associated: Philadelphia Flyers’ Projections: Cam York’s Offensive Upside
If York can unlock his offense, one thing he confirmed in 2022-23, this could be a dependable participant. Bear in mind, final season wasn’t outstanding for him by common requirements, and but the Orange and Black practically made the playoffs due to his presence. He has proven the power to be a real two-way participant (versus purely defensive final season), so does he have it in him to be one of many higher top-pairing defenders in hockey? If he does, the Flyers are principally set.
Nevertheless, York isn’t the one participant right here with that form of potential. Drysdale, 22 years previous, may really be extra inspiring than the previous. A sixth total decide in 2020, Drysdale has a two-way upside, possessing excessive offensive ability and good hockey sense to get better on protection. He’s an elite skater who could possibly be a 60-70-point scorer sometime however nonetheless by no means slack off in his zone. He might be dependable as a puck retriever.
There are a number of “ifs” right here, although. Drysdale has but to turn into a superb NHL hockey participant (at the very least by the numbers), however his points have been injury-related. He hasn’t reached the heights of York but primarily for that motive—well being has been laborious to come back by. Reportedly totally recovered from surgical procedure this previous offseason, he’ll be prepared to point out the Flyers what he can actually do. His 2024-25 marketing campaign shall be an enormous one, however time could possibly be wanted for him to achieve his peak.
Second-Pairing Upside: Sanheim, Bonk, Andrae, Sotheran, Gill
Now, we’ll get to those that have second-pairing upside. Whereas Travis Sanheim is 28 years of age, he’s below contract ($6.25 million cap hit) by 2030-31 with a no-trade clause for the primary half and a no-movement clause for the second half—until he agrees to a commerce, he isn’t going wherever. He was a first-pairing participant for the Flyers out of necessity final season, however he’s higher fitted to a second-pairing position. And that could possibly be a viable choice for years to come back—he’s a superb hockey participant who can eat minutes if crucial.
Right here is the place we get to the primary of 4 non-NHL gamers. Beginning with Oliver Bonk, he has respectable dimension and was productive within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) final season. The fitting-shot defender had 67 factors (fifth amongst defensemen) in 60 video games, though he relied closely on his bumper spot on the person benefit to make that occur. He hasn’t been as spectacular in my private viewings as he’s made out to be, however there may be second-pairing potential right here. At 19 years of age, it’s greater than believable.
Emil Andrae is the oldest (and smallest) of the prospects right here at 22 years of age and 5-foot-9, 189 kilos. Regardless of his dimension, he has some defensive upside and could possibly be an amazing offensive producer within the NHL. He’s within the AHL now, however an argument could possibly be made that he could possibly be a full-time Flyer proper now. The protection is crowded with gamers like Egor Zamula (Russian reference to Matvei Michkov) and Erik Johnson (an necessary veteran chief), so Andrae won’t make the crew. He scored 32 factors in 61 video games with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2023-24.
Subsequent, I see some potential in 19-year-old Carter Sotheran of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 6-foot-3 right-shot defender was second-fiddle within the Portland Winterhawks’ lineup to Luca Cagnoni, who has seemingly moved on to the AHL. He was not listed on Portland’s opening evening roster—he has confirmed to be far too good for the WHL. With a larger alternative, Sotheran’s 40-point whole from final season might look so much higher. Robust within the defensive zone, he had a plus-46 score, too. I feel he’ll begin to open folks’s eyes in 2024-25 now that he has some extra freedom.
Lastly, we’ll get to Spencer Gill. Taken within the second spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft, he’s the youngest of those gamers at 18 years previous. The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) defender has been spectacular within the Flyers’ camp so far, showcasing high-level two-way play. His 6-foot-4, 185-pound body ought to do him effectively this season defensively. Plus, he had 46 factors in 64 QMJHL video games in his newest marketing campaign—he might emerge as a steal if he continues to point out what he has.
Flyers Can Add Veterans to Their Core
There’s some excessive potential on this group, particularly for the reason that protection final season was excellent with much less expertise than what was simply listed. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t damage so as to add a couple of veterans to this checklist who can maybe fill out a selected want or simply present the required expertise for a superb protection. This isn’t a remaining checklist, however the basis of a probably elite core sooner or later is already set in stone—the work wanted is minimal, assuming the next defenders play to their talents when all is claimed and performed.
In fact, some gamers simply don’t work out within the NHL. It’s the secret and sports activities basically. Nevertheless, the Flyers have one thing with their protection. Even somebody like Hunter McDonald or Austin Moline may squeak right into a top-six position sooner or later—the depth right here is thrilling.
