The 2023-24 Philadelphia Flyers season is shaping up to be a battleground. The organization decided not to fully pivot in the rebuilding direction, which left a mix of veterans and prospects that will clash as the future of the team is within reach, but still so far away. There is more weight on some players than others. Whether it comes down to establishing themselves on the main roster or proving their previous effort wasn’t a fluke, there’s always something to prove in the NHL.
Number 5: Sam Ersson
With the Team Canada investigation looming large over the Flyers and starting goaltender Carter Hart, it may only be a matter of time before 23-year-old Sam Ersson is thrown into the deep end as the everyday starter for the Flyers. His play ranged from spectacular to sub-par in 2022-23 at both the NHL and AHL levels during his first full season in North America. Not to mention prospect Alexei Kolosov is breathing down his neck now with his expected ETA coming during the 2024-25 season. It means the 2023-24 campaign will be Ersson’s chance to establish himself as a reliable starter before the competition arrives and potentially throws the depth chart into disarray. He needs to step up and hammer out a strong season from start to finish to have the best impression moving forward as to not lose his status as the next man up in the Flyers’ crease.
Number 4: Egor Zamula
Zamula was the odd man out on the Flyers’ blue line for a bulk of the 2022-23 season, spending most of his time in the AHL. He signed a one-year, one-way extension during the offseason, indicating he will more than likely start the season on the main roster, but in what capacity? There is an abundance of bodies clogging the Flyers’ defense at the moment, and it likely means very few players see consistent ice time, instead being deployed in a revolving door manner until someone… anyone… steps up and takes that golden carrot. Will Zamula finally prove he can hang in the NHL, or does he end up getting lost in the shuffle?
Number 3: Morgan Frost
Frost finally stuck on the main roster in 2022-23, posting 19 goals and 46 points in 81 contests. Theoretically he finally got his foot in the door and the only way to go is up, right? Well, considering he has been in and out of John Tortorella’s doghouse with his hot and cold play, it may not be a guaranteed smooth sail in 2023-24. The biggest chip Frost has going for him is he’s the only center on the team with at least a semi-high-end offensive upside. Noah Cates, Sean Couturier and Ryan Poehling are all defense-first centers, meaning Frost should get a pretty big opportunity to be a big time producer for the club. If he can, he may establish himself as a long-term piece. If he’s just another 40-50 point guy, it may be the end of his days in Philly.
Number 2: Cam York
With Ivan Provorov out of the picture, 22-year-old Cam York is about to be coronated as the next top defenseman on the team. The issue? Well the rest of the defense is devoid of talent and York himself hasn’t quite proven that he can lock down a top role just yet. He needs to step up in a big way in Provorov’s absence, but will he manage to carve out a role for himself. Can he truly develop as the number one defenseman if the defense corps is no where near up to snuff?
Number 1: Joel Farabee
Injuries have plagued Joel Farabee for years, and his once-high ceiling has come cashing down because of it. He managed to play every game in 2022-23 after undergoing disc replacement surgery in his neck last summer, but he clearly wasn’t at 100% health despite being medically cleared. 2023-24 will be his fifth NHL season already and he’s still looking to hit 40 points for the first time. Farabee should be entering the campaign fully heathy and he’ll be looking to finally establish himself as a legitimate top six winger in the NHL and prove he has a bright future with the Flyers.
Honorable mentions
Owen Tippett
Tippett’s first full NHL season went about as well as possible. He scored 27 goals and 49 points in 77 games. Now, it’s about matching and exceeding those totals on a very crowded right wing in a contract year. If he can prove himself as a top line player, he could see a hefty pay day next summer. If there’s a hiccup and he gets overthrown by the likes of Tyson Foerster or Bobby Brink, Tippett may end up as a one-hit wonder in Philly.
Wade Allison
Allison got stuck on the fourth line in Tortorella’s dog house for most of last season and it really cut his legs out by limiting his play. He’s a “crash the net with reckless abandon” kinda guy, not a two-way defense stalwart like Torts tried to impress upon him last season. If the leash gets loosened a bit this year and Allison himself doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of the right wing depth, there’s still a chance he can find a niche for himself at the NHL, even if it ends up not being with the Flyers.
Bobby Brink
Once upon a time, the Flyers traded up in the 2019 draft to select forward Bobby Brink 34th overall. He’d go on to win a National Championship with the University of Denver before signing with the Flyers. A hip injury and subsequent surgery followed by an early return and slightly underwhelming results with the Phantoms during the 2022-23 season threw some cold water on his momentum. Brink himself stated during development camp that he wasn’t at 100% upon his return last season, but is ready to go in 2023-24. He’s more than likely starting the season in the AHL thanks to the overcrowded wings on the main roster, but if he gets back on track and looks like a star offensively like originally hoped, he could earn an NHL shot sooner rather than later.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: nbcphiladelphia.com
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