On the 25-game mark for the 2024-25 season, the Philadelphia Flyers are 12-10-3 and simply above the playoff line. They’re on a 100-point tempo by way of their final 18 contests, so that they have bounced again after a tough stretch early on. There’s some upside with this staff even when it won’t appear it on the floor.
With a reasonably lengthy break till their subsequent sport (Dec. 5), it’s an excellent time to have a look at the Flyers’ particular person gamers and provides them a grade for his or her play. Who has been the sharpest by way of October and November?
Associated: Penguins’ Participant Grades By means of 25 Video games
The one requirement to qualify for a grade is video games performed. Skaters will need to have no less than 10 video games performed, whereas goaltenders will need to have no less than 5. This disqualifies Anthony Richard, Nicolas Deslauriers, Helge Grans, and Jett Luchanko.
Flyers with A-Grades
Travis Konecny
Function: First-line winger
Age: 27
Contract: One yr, $5.5 million cap hit (eight years, $8.75 million cap hit beginning in 2025-26; no-movement clause; NMC)
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, 13 objectives, 17 assists, 30 factors, even plus/minus, 38 hits, 21:06 common time on ice (ATOI)
Superior stats (5-on-5): 49.30 Corsi proportion (CF%), 53.53 photographs proportion (SF%), 50.79 anticipated objectives proportion (xGF%), 53.02 high-danger possibilities proportion (HDCF%)
Positive, that is often the time of yr when Travis Konecny shines, however he’s taking part in the very best hockey of his profession proper now. He has offered offensive firepower to a staff that lacks it severely. He’s made well timed and clever performs with the puck, resulting in plentiful scoring possibilities. His 79 high-danger scoring possibilities at 5-on-5 (on-ice, not particular person) are the Sixteenth-most within the NHL.
Grade: A-plus
Matvei Michkov
Function: Second-line winger
Age: 19
Contract: Three years, $0.950 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 23 video games performed, 9 objectives, 10 assists, 19 factors, even plus/minus, 14 hits, 17:17 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 45.74 CF%, 49.82 SF%, 46.58 xGF%, 38.61 HDCF%
What rookie Matvei Michkov is doing as a youngster is outstanding but unsurprising. Two seasons faraway from being drafted, he’s within the 81st percentile for factors per sport (0.83) amongst forwards with 10 or extra video games performed. That manufacturing is just like some present NHL superstars after they have been additionally of their second post-draft season. Percentile-wise in factors per sport, Leon Draisaitl was 86th, Matthew Tkachuk was 84th, and Nathan MacKinnon was 78th. These three aren’t the one ones to be this efficient on the ages of 19 and 20, however it’s an unique membership.
Contemplating his age, the truth that Michkov is on tempo to fall simply in need of Konecny’s career-high in factors (68 in 2023-24) is astounding. The rookie has excellent hockey IQ, which has allowed him to immediately stay as much as the calls for of a high-impact ahead. He’s probably nowhere close to his peak but, which conjures up perception that he could also be among the best gamers within the NHL sometime.
Grade: A
Sean Couturier
Function: High-six heart
Age: 31
Contract: 5 years, $7.75 million cap hit (NMC)
Fundamental stats: 24 video games performed, six objectives, eight assists, 14 factors, minus-1, 19 hits, 58.1 faceoff proportion (FO%), 18:17 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 50.20 CF%, 52.69 SF%, 52.78 xGF%, 57.03 HDCF%
Sean Couturier has been every part the Flyers might have hoped for this season. The captain is the one full-time heart on this record not within the D-tier, and he’s three letter grades above it. He has 14 even-strength factors, an excellent FO%, and he’s out-chancing opponents in his minutes. After ending his 2023-24 marketing campaign within the backside six and taking part in a few of 2024-25 in the identical spot, he has been rolling.
Grade: A-minus
Emil Andrae
Function: Second-pairing defenseman
Age: 22
Contract: Two years, $0.903 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 15 video games performed, one aim, 4 assists, 5 factors, plus-4, 19 blocks, 18 hits, 19:22 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 52.87 CF%, 58.37 SF%, 58.07 xGF%, 56.57 HDCF%
Emil Andrae began 2024-25 as a wholesome scratch for 4 video games, then was despatched right down to the American Hockey League (AHL). This was after a really inspiring coaching camp and preseason, so it was disheartening to not see him get a chance. With a number of accidents to the blue line, nevertheless, he lastly did get inserted into the lineup towards the tip of October. Since then, he’s been a breath of recent air.
Associated: Philadelphia Flyers’ Emil Andrae Is Including A lot-Wanted Spark to the Protection
Andrae looks as if a long-term piece to the Flyers’ puzzle. They’ve one thing going with their younger defenders, because the 22-year-old Swede has been glorious at each ends of the ice. His point-scoring isn’t high-end by any stretch however he might see enchancment with age.
Grade: A-minus
Travis Sanheim
Function: First-pairing defenseman
Age: 28
Contract: Seven years, $6.25 million cap hit (no-trade clause; NTC)
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, 5 objectives, 10 assists, 15 factors, plus-2, 59 blocks, 19 hits, 25:30 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 47.51 CF%, 52.13 SF%, 49.45 xGF%, 53.80 HDCF%
Second to solely Roman Josi in complete ice time, Travis Sanheim has been leaned on by the Orange and Black. He’s regularly up towards some powerful competitors, so his outcomes are admirable—taking up this burden is a giant ask. Sanheim is a high-quality offensive defenseman who hasn’t dominated his minutes (to be anticipated) however continues to be incomes them.
Grade: A-minus
Cam York
Function: First-pairing defenseman
Age: 23
Contract: One yr, $1.6 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 12 video games performed, two objectives, one help, three factors, minus-1, 19 blocks, seven hits, 22:29 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 50.33 CF%, 52.84 SF%, 56.62 xGF%, 59.76 HDCF%
The third blue liner within the A-tier, it’s clear what the energy of this hockey staff has been. Cam York is lastly again from a protracted stint on injured reserve and has picked up proper the place he left off. His scoring is nowhere close to the extent of Sanheim’s, but his 5-on-5 offense has been higher by the numbers. Even when the aim is to show York right into a extra dynamic, point-productive participant sooner or later, out-chancing opponents at his charge is encouraging.
Grade: A-minus
Flyers with B-Grades
Rasmus Ristolainen
Function: Second-pairing defenseman
Age: 30
Contract: Three years, $5.1 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, one aim, six assists, seven factors, plus-1, 45 blocks, 47 hits, 20:40 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 46.21 CF%, 50.13 SF%, 46.42 xGF%, 47.52 HDCF%
Rasmus Ristolainen had a few of the greatest metrics of his profession in his injury-shortened 2023-24. Underneath head coach John Tortorella and affiliate coach Brad Shaw, their technique to assist the notoriously poor defender advanced-stats-wise was to lower his energy of competitors. However with many banged-up our bodies on the protection this season, Ristolainen has performed an excellent chunk of minutes. Regardless of the rise in workload, he has arguably been even higher. He appears to be a legitimately stable top-four defender, which is unbelievable progress from his days with the Buffalo Sabres.
Grade: B-plus
Bobby Brink
Function: Backside-six winger
Age: 23
Contract: Two years, $1.5 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 22 video games performed, 4 objectives, eight assists, 12 factors, minus-8, 25 hits, 12:34 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 41.69 CF%, 44.39 SF%, 42.86 xGF%, 48.86 HDCF%
Don’t let Bobby Brink’s underwhelming superior stats idiot you. Even with restricted utilization, being on the second power-play unit, and having almost 80 p.c of his ice time spent away from the A-tier forwards, he’s tied for fifth on the staff in factors. The undersized teen has some thrilling potential—it’s as much as Tortorella to let him unleash it.
Grade: B
Function: Beginning goaltender
Age: 25
Contract: Two years, $1.45 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 11 video games performed, .902 save proportion (SV%), 2.70 goals-against common (GAA), one shutout, 5-2-2 file
Superior stats: 0.41 objectives saved above common (GSAA), 0.54 objectives saved above anticipated (GSAx)
Samuel Ersson has spent the previous couple of weeks therapeutic from damage. Proper earlier than his absence, he was taking part in some terrific hockey, as he sports activities a .940 SV% in his final 5 video games. If he can maintain this stage of play (that was a giant situation for him final season), Ersson might need loads of upside as an NHL starter.
Grade: B-minus
Flyers with C-Grades
Garnet Hathaway
Function: Backside-six winger
Age: 33
Contract: One yr, $2.375 million cap hit (two years, $2.4 million cap hit beginning in 2025-26)
Fundamental stats: 24 video games performed, two objectives, six assists, eight factors, even plus/minus, 77 hits, 12:12 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 43.38 CF%, 50.25 SF%, 49.00 xGF%, 58.75 HDCF%
Even with out elite talent, Garnet Hathaway does effectively in his minutes—a long-time theme for him. Whereas the gritty bottom-sixer has higher on-ice metrics than a lot of his friends, he’s not a game-changer by any means so his grade must be restricted a tad. He’s helpful on the penalty kill, although.
Grade: C-plus
Aleksei Kolosov
Function: Backup goaltender
Age: 22
Contract: Two years, $0.925 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: Seven video games performed, .891 SV%, 2.94 GAA, zero shutouts, 3-4-0 file
Superior stats: Minus-1.66 GSAA, 0.72 GSAx
For a 22-year-old backup netminder who was known as as much as the Flyers on a whim, Aleksei Kolosov has performed effectively. Flashes of athleticism have been there, which might be key to his success within the NHL.
Seeing as Egor Zavragin is persevering with his unprecedented play within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the Flyers’ crease may very well be shared by these two KHL alumni sometime. Kolosov, Zavragin, Ersson, and prospect Carson Bjarnason make fairly the youthful group.
Grade: C
Tyson Foerster
Function: Center-six winger
Age: 22
Contract: One yr, $0.863 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 24 video games performed, 5 objectives, three assists, eight factors, minus-3, 17 hits, 15:00 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 44.71 CF%, 49.78 SF%, 47.94 xGF%, 46.99 HDCF%
Tyson Foerster has began to enhance scoring-wise, however the younger goal-scorer is on tempo for 27 factors by season’s finish. His two-way play was a giant motive he acquired constant appears within the high six in 2023-24—he’s been producing much less within the offensive zone this time round. Foerster has the potential to be an excellent second-line producer, although that should be realized before later if he desires to be a long-term fixture within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
Grade: C-minus
Scott Laughton
Function: Third-line heart/winger
Age: 30
Contract: Two years, $3 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, three objectives, six assists, 9 factors, minus-15, 67 hits, 45.8 FO%, 14:33 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 44.13 CF%, 53.53 SF%, 47.45 xGF%, 53.10 HDCF%
You’ll wish to shut your eyes for that plus/minus, however Scott Laughton is taking part in higher hockey than he was a season in the past, mockingly. He’s an honest third-line ahead with some management skill. Commerce rumors have engulfed him for years now, so it’s protected to say the 12-year Flyer is right here to remain till a real, finalized deal is publicized.
Grade: C-minus
Flyers with D-Grades and Under
Joel Farabee
Function: Center-six winger
Age: 24
Contract: 4 years, $5 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, three objectives, 5 assists, eight factors, minus-8, 30 hits, 15:12 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 44.88 CF%, 47.16 SF%, 46.27 xGF%, 51.26 HDCF%
This was a lose-lose season for Joel Farabee regardless, however his play hasn’t been as much as par. The excellent news is that he has gotten some possibilities on the primary line lately and appeared higher there, selecting up some high-danger possibilities. Farabee can positively flip it round, however he’ll want the belief of the teaching workers for that to occur. Has he earned this belief?
Grade: D-plus
Ryan Poehling
Function: Third-line heart
Age: 25
Contract: Two years, $1.9 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 22 video games performed, one aim, seven assists, eight factors, minus-2, 10 hits, 51.8 FO%, 13:54 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 43.57 CF%, 50.94 SF%, 47.05 xGF%, 56.00 HDCF%
The primary of three facilities within the backside tier, Ryan Poehling has primarily been a penalty-kill specialist. He’s spending an excessive amount of time in his zone to be helpful at 5-on-5 and he doesn’t have the high-end talent to reap the benefits of the possessions he will get. He’s been satisfactory, however not precisely what you’d need for a participant who acquired a increase on his earlier contract ($1.4 million cap hit).
Grade: D
Nick Seeler
Function: Third-pairing defenseman
Age: 31
Contract: 4 years, $2.7 million cap hit (NTC)
Fundamental stats: 20 video games performed, one aim, 5 assists, six factors, minus-6, 50 blocks, 18 hits, 16:52 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 39.00 CF%, 42.13 SF%, 38.32 xGF%, 40.00 HDCF%
Nick Seeler was one of many Flyers’ most underrated gamers throughout his earlier two seasons. As a bodily veteran presence for the protection, his on-ice metrics have been phenomenal and he was somebody who his defensive companions might lean on. This season hasn’t been wherever close to as promising, although. With 4 years left on the extension he signed final winter, he’ll want to show it round for the sake of each the staff and the entrance workplace.
Grade: D
Ivan Fedotov
Function: Backup goaltender
Age: 28
Contract: Two years, $3.275 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 9 video games performed, .881 SV%, 3.39 GAA, zero shutouts, 4-4-1 file
Superior stats: Minus-4.78 GSAA, Minus-3.84 GSAx
Ivan Fedotov’s numbers aren’t nice, particularly with that contract. However within the month of November, he put up a .909 SV% and gained 4 occasions. He has lastly begun to seem like a real NHL netminder. Though it wouldn’t be honest to ignore his October begins, Fedotov is on an upward trajectory.
Grade: D
Egor Zamula
Function: Depth defenseman
Age: 24
Contract: Two years, $1.7 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 17 video games performed, one aim, 5 assists, six factors, minus-10, 27 blocks, six hits, 16:08 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 45.51 CF%, 49.52 SF%, 48.34 xGF%, 47.19 HDCF%
When he obtained a two-year extension, the hope was that Egor Zamula would take a step ahead. Sadly, he has taken one backward. He’s discovered some issue moving into an injured lineup persistently, so his aim for the remainder of the season must be proving he’s a legit NHLer.
Grade: D
Morgan Frost
Function: Center-six heart
Age: 25
Contract: One yr, $2.1 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 21 video games performed, three objectives, seven assists, 10 factors, minus-8, 17 hits, 50.6 FO%, 15:13 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 42.77 CF%, 43.60 SF%, 46.39 xGF%, 42.17 HDCF%
Throughout his earlier two seasons, it typically felt as if Morgan Frost was being unfairly picked on by Tortorella. In 2024-25, he has regressed past every of these campaigns significantly. Even when he has centered Konecny or Michkov, Frost hasn’t been capable of get in a rhythm. He’ll probably be headed elsewhere this offseason, if not on the commerce deadline.
Grade: D-minus
Owen Tippett
Function: Second-line winger
Age: 25
Contract: Eight years, $6.2 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 25 video games performed, 5 objectives, seven assists, 12 factors, minus-10, 42 hits, 17:00 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 46.86 CF%, 47.40 SF%, 49.82 xGF%, 41.82 HDCF%
The primary 25 video games of Owen Tippett’s eight-year deal haven’t gone effectively. He’s often a high-energy participant, however he simply hasn’t been capable of get going. Offensive creation has been tough for Tippett, however that hasn’t stopped him from making an attempt—he has killed fairly a couple of possessions consequently. Typically a legal responsibility to the highest six, the Flyers will want him to show it round to construct on their current success.
Grade: D-minus
Noah Cates
Function: Backside-six heart
Age: 25
Contract: One yr, $2.625 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 21 video games performed, one aim, 4 assists, 5 factors, plus-10, 27 hits, 51.7 FO%, 12:47 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 45.33 CF%, 48.68 SF%, 41.11 xGF%, 43.37 HDCF%
Most see a plus-10 ranking for a bottom-six participant and are superb along with his play, however the eye take a look at backs up the superior stats with Noah Cates. Strains centered by him spend an excessive amount of time with out the puck, resulting in forgettable shifts.
By means of the primary two months, Cates has been a replacement-level participant with just a little an excessive amount of ice time for that function. He confirmed stints of defensive excellence throughout his earlier two seasons, however this has objectively been the worst exhibiting of his younger profession (even with the favorable plus/minus ranking).
Grade: D-minus
Erik Johnson
Function: Depth defenseman
Age: 36
Contract: One yr, $1 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 15 video games performed, one aim, one help, two factors, minus-2, 10 blocks, 23 hits, 13:22 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 37.69 CF%, 35.00 SF%, 35.72 xGF%, 34.69 HDCF%
Erik Johnson’s numbers are unsurprisingly not superb, however he’s a member of the Flyers for his management talents and never his on-ice expertise. He’s performed a bit greater than anticipated due to the staff’s aforementioned poor well being, however his ice time has been restricted in these appearances. Nonetheless, it’s a tough promote when a participant is being outshot 91-49 general.
Grade: F
Jamie Drysdale
Function: Second-pairing defenseman
Age: 22
Contract: Two years, $2.3 million cap hit
Fundamental stats: 15 video games performed, one aim, two assists, three factors, minus-10, 28 blocks, two hits, 20:35 ATOI
Superior stats (5-on-5): 40.41 CF%, 44.83 SF%, 38.06 xGF%, 35.56 HDCF%
Within the fifth season of his injury-riddled profession, Jamie Drysdale hasn’t been capable of return to the success he had as a prospect. Throughout his two temporary campaigns as a Flyer, the 2020 sixth-overall decide has struggled with the identical points as Poehling concerning zone time. For Drysdale, although, his insecurity may be the issue.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know Drysdale is a gifted participant. However, doubtlessly attributable to his accidents, he limits his personal upside. For a defenseman with the bodily instruments he has, he hardly ever goes up the ice with the puck on his stick. As a substitute, he’ll often strive low-reward stretch passes or go for somebody near him to make some magic occur when he good points possession within the defensive zone. His hesitation to create offense has seemingly led to his subpar output, typically placing him in conditions the place he’s caught in his personal zone. When a participant’s talent set is geared towards the opposite finish of the ice, being caved in is a recipe for catastrophe.
There must be a glass-half-full method with the 22-year-old. He deserves your time and endurance, even when it’s straightforward to get pissed off.
Grade: F
An unlucky variety of Flyers discover themselves within the backside two tiers. Nonetheless, many of the high gamers on the staff have exceeded expectations, so there are issues to be optimistic about. If their final 18 video games are indicative of something, the remainder of the 2024-25 marketing campaign would possibly really be an excellent one—one thing that appeared unbelievable a short time in the past.
Superior stats courtesy of Pure Stat Trick
