On this version of our Philadelphia Flyers information and rumors report, we’ll take a look at the opportunity of middle Jett Luchanko making the workforce, how goaltending prospect Yegor Zavragin has been taking part in, and a preseason recap. Who’ve the standouts been?
Is Luchanko Making the Flyers’ Roster?
The Flyers, who’re set to play of their last preseason contest on Oct. 3 versus the New Jersey Devils, have most of their roster discovered. In that sport, their lineup will include few NHL regulars and as an alternative a good chunk of their high American Hockey League (AHL) gamers. Notably, there’s a key omission from the lower-end group who’s sticking with the massive membership: Luchanko.
Flyers’ traces with large membership group:
Michkov-Couturier-Konecny
Tippett-Frost-Foerster
Farabee-Luchanko-Brink
Laughton-Poehling-Hathaway— Jordan Corridor (@JHallNBCS) October 3, 2024
Earlier than the preseason began, I argued that Luchanko making the workforce was a really actual risk regardless of being taken thirteenth general within the 2024 NHL Draft. Proper now, it appears like he may, on the very least, get a nine-game trial interval with the Orange and Black to see if he belongs. Since that 10-game mark would burn a season off of his three-year entry-level contract (ELC), it is smart for that to be the cutoff.
Although he turned simply 18 years previous in August, Luchanko appears to be a possible candidate to make the workforce at this level. If that’s the case, it feels just like the Flyers are turning a nook in how they go about making their rosters. Fairly than giving established veterans who haven’t earned a full-time position the nod over a teenager who outperformed them, the Flyers are doing the alternative. It’s refreshing to see extra merit-based alternatives as an alternative of ones solely based mostly on top, weight, or expertise.
Nothing is ready in stone, however Luchanko getting an opportunity looks as if the precise transfer. It may very well be Most worthy for his profession to play within the NHL straight away, having individuals who he aspires to be sometime at each nook.
Previous to the beginning of the Flyers’ 2024-25 marketing campaign, none of their prospects within the final 4 draft courses have an look with Philadelphia to their identify. The truth that the youngest of all of them is eyeing his debut with the Orange and Black this early is an indication of the participant’s maturation.
Yegor Zavragin Is Stealing the Highlight
Although he was a third-round decide within the 2023 NHL Draft, there have been some large expectations for Zavragin this season. Following his domination of the Junior Hockey League (MHL) and Supreme Hockey League (VHL), the 19-year-old had his sights set on maybe the perfect league exterior of North America: the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Associated: Flyers’ Yegor Zavragin May Mitigate Potential Lack of Alexei Kolosov
It’s very early within the KHL season, so regression needs to be anticipated (particularly contemplating his circumstances), however Zavragin has placed on a present. By 5 contests, he has a whopping .938 save share (SV%) and a pair of.26 goals-against common (GAA) with HC Sochi. You would possibly acknowledge that membership identify, as high prospect Matvei Michkov represented the Orange and Black there final season. In case you weren’t conscious, that workforce was nonetheless one of many worst within the KHL regardless of Michkov’s huge contributions.
Zavragin isn’t in essentially the most very best state of affairs team-wise, however his numbers are among the many greatest in his age group in historical past. Of the 30 KHL goaltending seasons amongst youngsters with a minimum of 5 video games performed, Zavragin’s SV% is the fifth-best ever recorded (and the second-best amongst 19-year-olds). There are some key names in there, similar to Ilya Sorokin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Igor Shesterkin—the manufacturing right here is elite.
Once more, it’s unlikely that this sort of tempo is sustainable over the course of a whole season. If it’s not, Zavragin has nonetheless proven the Flyers that, to date, he may very well be a star within the NHL. It’ll take a while earlier than he’s really seen in Philadelphia since he’s underneath contract within the KHL by means of the 2026-27 season, however he’s undoubtedly a participant to be careful for. He has the potential to be the face of the Flyers’ crease sometime.
Flyers’ Preseason Standouts
With the preseason nearing its finish for the Flyers, it’s a very good time to recap some standouts. Who have been the workforce’s high performers?
Main off, Michkov has lit up the preseason with a league-best seven factors. With extra factors in much less ice time than Connor McDavid, that’s spectacular regardless of the way you take a look at it. Michkov has helped the Flyers’ energy play carry out at a excessive degree and he has been distinctive at even energy. This teenager already appears to be among the finest gamers on the roster, if not the perfect.
Joel Farabee has additionally been a pleasing shock. He has 5 factors in three contests, and that’s not a deceptive metric. He has been taking part in a few of his greatest hockey, being closely concerned at even energy and controlling play general.
Sam Ersson has solely had two preseason appearances, however he was lights-out in each of them. He stopped 67 out of 69 pictures, placing up a .971 SV%, 1.01 GAA, and permitting 4.30 fewer targets than anticipated. Ersson did this while dealing with New York Islanders and Boston Bruins rosters with a very good chunk of NHL expertise, so he has undoubtedly been challenged. Can he stick with it within the common season?
Lastly, Cam York has appeared just like the Flyers’ greatest defenseman within the preseason. By two contests, he put up a team-best 64.7 anticipated targets share (xGF%) amongst defenders and appeared greater than snug at each ends of the ice. The 23-year-old is eyeing the following large step in his profession—this season may very well be simply that.
With the common season set to start on the street towards the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 11, “actual” Flyers hockey is nearly right here. An extended six-month wait will conclude in per week.
