How ‘Rover’ Drysdale Changes Look of Flyers Defense (+)

When the Philadelphia Flyers acquired defenseman Jamie Drysdale from the Anaheim Ducks, there were some short-term concerns of his fit on the team. With no outgoing players in the deal, the Flyers were left with eight defensemen, including veteran Marc Staal and blossoming youngster Egor Zamula. John Tortorella, a coach with 22 years under his belt in the National Hockey League, was the man with the plan.

“He’s a candidate to be a rover,” Tortorella said of Drysdale. “Not just a defenseman, a rover.”

Unlike goalie, left wing, right wing, center, or defense, ‘rover’ is no longer an official position in hockey. But, it is still an official role in hockey tactics, and it’s something Tortorella has used to get the best out of his most skilled defensemen in the past.