Jake Saxton and Garrett Hoffman
For the Philadelphia Flyers and their fans, the time has flown by this off-season, and yet here we are with less than a week until opening day. The city of Philadelphia is still waiting for the Flyers to return to a norm of making a run deep into the playoffs. It’s been too long since this franchise was a contender. The last time they were fun to watch was 2010 with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter in company. It’s been 20 years since the Legion of Doom took storm in Philadelphia, and it’s been 44 years since the Flyers won the Stanley Cup.
In the city of Philadelphia, where the fans are like no other, all other teams have been uplifting and promising, but the Flyers have been the opposite of that in recent years. They have made few moves in the last few free-agencies, but this year will be different. With a new front office, a whole new coaching staff, a goaltender who is 21 years of age and is already being compared to be the next Henrik Lundqvist, and two great signings in Kevin Hayes to cement their second line, and Stanley Cup champion Matt Niskanen to solidify the defense were key components the Flyers needed and they sure did fix that issue this off-season.
Take a look at the Flyers lineups:
Forwards:
Line 1: (starting from left to right) Giroux, Hayes, Voracek
Line 2: Konechny, Couteriour, Lindblom
Line 3:Van Riemsdyk, Laughton, Farabee
Line 4:Raffl, Bunnanman, Twarnyski
Defense:
Line 1: Provorov, Braun
Line 2: Sanheim, Niskanen
Line 3: Gostisbehere, Haag
Goaltenders:
Carter Hart
Brian Elliott
Injured:
Center: Nolan Patrick (Migraine disorder)
Center: Morgan Frost (Groin Injury)
Center: Tyler Pitlick (Left wrist Injury)
On paper, the Flyers have what it takes to make a run this year. Unfortunately, experts also said the same thing about the Phillies this year, and fans saw what happened there. However, unlike the Phillies, where the defense was the problem, the Flyers are supposed to have one of the best defenses in the league with goaltender Carter Hart. High hopes are among the fan base and the club. Hopefully, they will not disappoint.
