The 2022 offseason for the Philadelphia Flyers represents a fork in the road. After multiple ugly seasons, the choice to rebuild or retool is staring them in the face. If they lean into making the team better, there’s no reason for them not to be bold and make some major changes. Whether it’s trades, free agents or leadership decisions here are five bold predictions for the Philadelphia Flyers 2022 offseason.
Number 5: Scott Laughton becomes new captain
It’s only a matter of time before the Flyers name a new captain, and considering they haven’t historically been one to be patient with the decision, fully expect the “C” to be handed out this summer. The list of candidates does seem to be short, probably between Cam Atkinson, Kevin Hayes, Joel Farabee, Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton. While they all have valid pros and cons, the one most on the rise seems to be 28-year-old Scott Laughton. He’s a tenured vet on the team still signed for four more seasons, and may be one of the options you’d get a majority agreeance on in the eyes of the fans.
Number 4: Travis Konecny gets traded
The Flyers are going to make moves this summer, and they’ll need to move some assets to make it happen. With an abundance of wingers on the current roster and a big need for center depth and potential help on the blueline, somebody will have to get moved to fill some holes. Konecny may be the most valuable trade chip the Flyers have when it comes to a “hockey trade” as the team’s top scorer, but his presence isn’t make or break either. He’s got three years left on his current deal at a $5.5 million cap hit, which provides some cost assurance for acquiring teams. Trading Konecny is a move that is going to piss off a majority of the fanbase, but it’s also a move that needs to happen.
Number 3: Johnny Gaudreau signs
The whispers of Johnny Gaudreau’s future have been going all season and his hometown Flyers have seemingly been in the mix. With 40 goals and 115 points during the 2021-22 campaign, that’s just the kind of ridiculously good offensive production this team desperately needs. The Flames are going to struggle to re-sign all of their players this summer, and Gaudreau may be a cap casualty as a result. If he does indeed hit the open market, expect the Flyers to make a big push for the South Jersey native by sending him an offer that may be too good to refuse.
Number 2: Barry Trotz is the new head coach
One of those things that feels like the obvious choice, but because it’s the Flyers, giving them the benefit of the doubt of making the right choice doesn’t exist. When the Islanders fired Trotz a few weeks ago, he immediately rose to the top of the list of potential coaching candidates. The Flyers need a difference maker behind the bench and Trotz is the kind of guy that can salvage a team single handedly. Considering Dave Scott loves to throw around a his blank check, the organization should spare no expense when it comes to hunting down the crème de le crème of coaches.
Number 1: Ivan Provorov gets traded
There’s been a growing battle for the team’s top defenseman between Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim that the latter made up a ton of ground in during the 2021-22 season, and it has potentially left one of them expandable. After Provorov’s exit interviews got a little heated, it may be a sign that the 25-year-old could be on his way out the door. Whether this is a good idea or not is up for debate, but with Cam York and Egor Zamula ready to backup Sanheim, there won’t be a shortage of talent on the blueline and trading Provorov may rake in a king’s ransom for a team in need of a shakeup.
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By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: nhl.com
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