Within the 2024 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers notably handed up on a promising defender by the title of Zeev Buium. He was one of the electrical younger defensemen in collegiate hockey in 2023-24, projected by some to be a top-five choice. When he fell to the Orange and Black at twelfth total, they traded again to take a middle (Jett Luchanko) as a substitute of this dynamic participant.
Nevertheless, it’s comprehensible why the Flyers didn’t spend a premium asset on a defenseman. This isn’t solely as a result of they’ve some promising prospects within the system (and Luchanko is nice), however their again finish ranked among the many high within the league in 2023-24. Maintaining them afloat regardless of one of many league’s worst ending charges and save percentages alike, the protection was important. When it comes to anticipated objectives, the Orange and Black had been ninth within the league at even power and seventh in any respect strengths.
It doesn’t take a ton of huge names to have an ideal protection within the NHL, clearly. That’s as a result of the Flyers have lots of their defensive expertise nonetheless growing both in juniors or within the American Hockey League (AHL)—it wasn’t an entire group final season and it gained’t be in 2024-25. However nonetheless, it helped stop scoring probabilities at among the finest charges within the league. What does Philadelphia have presently that makes it seem as if their protection is ready for the long run?
High-Pairing Upside: York, Drysdale
Let’s get to 2 gamers who I see as having top-pairing potential: Cam York and Jamie Drysdale. First, we’ll begin out with York. He wasn’t at his finest final season—his offense was restricted as he spent most of his vitality holding the puck out of his personal internet. On the identical time, although, he appeared very snug in a first-pairing position on a aggressive staff. At simply 23 years of age, there may be lots of potential for the long run.
Associated: Philadelphia Flyers’ Projections: Cam York’s Offensive Upside
If York can unlock his offense, one thing he confirmed in 2022-23, this could be a dependable participant. Bear in mind, final season wasn’t outstanding for him by basic requirements, and but the Orange and Black almost made the playoffs due to his presence. He has proven the flexibility to be a real two-way participant (versus purely defensive final season), so does he have it in him to be one of many higher top-pairing defenders in hockey? If he does, the Flyers are mainly set.
Nevertheless, York isn’t the one participant right here with that sort of potential. Drysdale, 22 years outdated, would possibly truly be extra inspiring than the previous. A sixth total decide in 2020, Drysdale has a two-way upside, possessing excessive offensive talent and good hockey sense to recuperate on protection. He’s an elite skater who may very well be a 60-70-point scorer sometime however nonetheless by no means slack off in his zone. He will be dependable as a puck retriever.
There are lots of “ifs” right here, although. Drysdale has but to change into a great NHL hockey participant (at the least by the numbers), however his points have been injury-related. He hasn’t reached the heights of York but primarily for that motive—well being has been exhausting to return by. Reportedly absolutely recovered from surgical procedure this previous offseason, he’ll be prepared to indicate the Flyers what he can actually do. His 2024-25 marketing campaign can be a giant one, however time may very well be wanted for him to succeed in his peak.
Second-Pairing Upside: Sanheim, Bonk, Andrae, Sotheran, Gill
Now, we’ll get to those that have second-pairing upside. Whereas Travis Sanheim is 28 years of age, he’s underneath contract ($6.25 million cap hit) by way of 2030-31 with a no-trade clause for the primary half and a no-movement clause for the second half—except he agrees to a commerce, he isn’t going wherever. He was a first-pairing participant for the Flyers out of necessity final season, however he’s higher fitted to a second-pairing position. And that may very well be a viable possibility for years to return—he’s a great hockey participant who can eat minutes if mandatory.
Right here is the place we get to the primary of 4 non-NHL gamers. Beginning with Oliver Bonk, he has respectable measurement and was productive within the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) final season. The correct-shot defender had 67 factors (fifth amongst defensemen) in 60 video games, though he relied closely on his bumper spot on the person benefit to make that occur. He hasn’t been as spectacular in my private viewings as he’s made out to be, however there may be second-pairing potential right here. At 19 years of age, it’s greater than believable.
Emil Andrae is the oldest (and smallest) of the prospects right here at 22 years of age and 5-foot-9, 189 kilos. Regardless of his measurement, he has some defensive upside and may very well be an ideal offensive producer within the NHL. He’s within the AHL now, however an argument may very well be made that he may very well be a full-time Flyer proper now. The protection is crowded with gamers like Egor Zamula (Russian reference to Matvei Michkov) and Erik Johnson (an essential veteran chief), so Andrae may not make the staff. He scored 32 factors in 61 video games with the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2023-24.
Subsequent, I see some potential in 19-year-old Carter Sotheran of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The 6-foot-3 right-shot defender was second-fiddle within the Portland Winterhawks’ lineup to Luca Cagnoni, who has seemingly moved on to the AHL. He was not listed on Portland’s opening evening roster—he has confirmed to be far too good for the WHL. With a higher alternative, Sotheran’s 40-point whole from final season may look loads higher. Robust within the defensive zone, he had a plus-46 score, too. I feel he’ll begin to open individuals’s eyes in 2024-25 now that he has some extra freedom.
Lastly, we’ll get to Spencer Gill. Taken within the second spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft, he’s the youngest of those gamers at 18 years outdated. The Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) defender has been spectacular within the Flyers’ camp up to now, showcasing high-level two-way play. His 6-foot-4, 185-pound body ought to do him properly this season defensively. Plus, he had 46 factors in 64 QMJHL video games in his newest marketing campaign—he may emerge as a steal if he continues to indicate what he has.
Flyers Can Add Veterans to Their Core
There’s some excessive potential on this group, particularly because the protection final season was excellent with much less expertise than what was simply listed. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t damage so as to add a couple of veterans to this listing who can maybe fill out a selected want or simply present the mandatory expertise for a great protection. This isn’t a ultimate listing, however the basis of a probably elite core sooner or later is already set in stone—the work wanted is minimal, assuming the next defenders play to their skills when all is claimed and finished.
In fact, some gamers simply don’t work out within the NHL. It’s the secret and sports activities basically. Nevertheless, the Flyers have one thing with their protection. Even somebody like Hunter McDonald or Austin Moline would possibly squeak right into a top-six position sooner or later—the depth right here is thrilling.
