Last Season: 42-26-14 98 pts (3rd in Metropolitan Division; Lost in Eastern Conference 1st Round)
Key Additions: D Christian Folin and F James van Riemsdyk
Key Departures: D Brandon Manning, F Matt Read, F Valtteri Filppula, and G Petr Mrazek
Top Questions Facing the Flyers:
- How will the Flyers goaltending be this season?
Last season both Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth had injury plagued seasons, and with Carter Hart developing nicely for the Philadelphia Flyers, one has to wonder who will be the number one goalie come the end of the season, plus what happens if Elliott and Neuvirth aren’t having strong starts to the year or become injured again this season? Both Elliott and Neuvirth are coming back from offseason surgeries, and are in the last year of their respective contracts, so this will be one story to watch as the season unfolds.
2. Can the Flyers continue their upward trend?
General Manager Ron Hextall’s patient, build-from-within approach has been paying dividends as the Flyers rebounded and returned to the playoffs last season. The signing of James van Riemsdyk, and the development of their young core have the Flyers in a good spot to continue that upward trend. Especially if Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, and Jakub Vorachek can build off of last season’s rebirth of their respective games.
