As the dust settles on the 2025 offseason and the Flyers’ roster comes into focus, we can turn out attention to the 2025-26 season ahead. There wasn’t an abundance of outside change except one, but some pillars from previous seasons will clash with some prospects setting their sights on making the NHL to create some exciting lines. So which players should we be most excited about watching in 2025-26?
Number 5: Foerster – Cates – Brink
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. The trio was the most consistent line the Flyers had during the 2024-25 season. Now, Tyson Foerster may miss some time to start the year thanks to an elbow infection, but whenever he returns, they may as well let the horsemen ride again to see if they can make the magic work one more time.
Number 4: Hathaway – Dvorak – Konecny
These three players probably shouldn’t cross paths regularly. Hathaway is a fourth liner, Dvorak should slide in as the 3C and Konecny should hang around in the top six, but good lord the three of the more annoying physical forces the Flyers have coming together to great a third line that will grind down opponents could be something worth considering on specific occasions.
Number 3: Michkov – Zegras – Martone
If Martone does indeed make the opening night roster, they better put him in the best position to succeed. Michkov spent time on the left wing towards the end of last season, so it’s feasible he stays over there to let the rookie stay at his natural position. That is a young, talented, fast and exciting trio that sets the pace for the future. A “new era” indeed.
Number 2: Tippett – Zegras – Konecny
The great thing about having a semi-capable body at center is the possibility of igniting the two players on the team with high ceilings and consistency issues. The two vets should help keep Zegras afloat, and in return, Zegras can dish to Tippett and set up TK at will. Zegras could get Tippett over the 30-goal hump he keeps falling short of, and hopefully can keep Konecny from going on his yearly two-month slide of irrelevance.
Number 1: Foerster – Zegras – Michkov
In terms of sheer realistic excitement, this is probably the best line the Flyers can muster right now. Assumingely, the reason they brought in Zegras was to give Michkov a proper center. If the two of them are at the top of their game, it could be an electric duo. Foerster will handle the defensive responsibilities of the line, plus he’s got more than enough natural skill to be on the receiving end of some above-average playmaking.
Honorable mentions
Bump – Zegras – Martone
What if the Flyers… like… put all their young, good players on the same line? Zegras is the Flyers’ new top center, and Alex Bump and Porter Martone are the two most NHL-ready prospects they’ve got. This kind of line would’ve never happened in a John Tortorella world, but if Rick Tocchet wants to prove he’s different, this is the kind of thing to set this era apart from the last one.
Tuomaala – Barkey – Brink
Chances are, two of the three of these guys won’t make the NHL on opening night. But the idea of three guys under six feet tall uniting for a proper underdog trio at a time when the organization’s M.O. has been only caring about players 6’5″ and above would be a hell of a story.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: Getty Images
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