ESPN Doesn’t Think Much Of Flyers Going Into Next Season

The Flyers can expect some disrespect heading into next season from season previews, preseason polls and the like. Such is the life of a team that has missed the playoffs three consecutive seasons.

ESPN just published its way-too-early power rankings for next season. ESPN ranks the Flyers at No. 29. That ranking is in line with BetMGM’s odds for winning the Stanley Cup next season. The Flyers are tied with the Blackhawks, Coyotes and Sharks for the 27th-worst odds at +15000.

The Flyers’ final regular-season ranking, published April 7, was 26th. The final regular-season ranking for the Stanley Cup finalists was 5 for Vegas and 17 for Florida. Hmmm.

Here’s the Flyers analysis from ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski: “The Keith Jones and Danny Briere regime has already started to shake up the team’s roster.

“Expect names such as Carter Hart, Scott Laughton and Tony DeAngelo to be among those in the Flyers rumor mill as the makeover continues.”

ESPN Rankings:

1. Vegas
2. New Jersey
3. Colorado
4. Dallas
5. Boston
6. Carolina
7. Edmonton
8. Tampa Bay
9. Florida
10. New York Islanders
11. Toronto
12. New York Rangers
13. Buffalo
14. Minnesota
15. Los Angeles
16. Seattle
17. Ottawa
18. Calgary
19. Detroit
20. Nashville
21. Pittsburgh
22. Winnipeg
23. Washington
24. St. Louis
25. Vancouver
26. Montreal
27. Columbus
28. Chicago
29. Flyers
30. Arizona
31. San Jose
32. Anaheim

How we rank (from ESPN): A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another, and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.

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Flyers, In Case You Missed It:

If Flyers want to draft for defense at No. 7, David Reinbacher might be their pick.

Do Flyers take a big gamble and draft Russian star Matvei Michkov?

Believe it or not, Flyers fans are feeling (slightly) upbeat about the offseason so far.

Around The National Hockey Network:

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Colorado Hockey Now: Scout gives some names Avalanche should look at with 27th pick.

Detroit Hockey Now: Ryan Leonard is a player that could fall to the Red Wings at No. 9.

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens should proceed with caution regarding free agents.

Nashville Hockey Now: Update on Predators’ restricted free agents.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils could be headed for a breakup with forward Yegor Sharangovich.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: Forward Pierre Engvall made a name for himself with Isles.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Will the Penguins buy out forward Mikael Granlund?

San Jose Hockey Now: Ranking the top 10 defensemen in NHL draft.

Vegas Hockey Now: GM Kelly McCrimmon gives update on Ivan Barbashev and Robin Lehner.

Washington Hockey Now: The Capitals have their first top-10 draft choice since 2007.