Philadelphia Flyers
Will the Flyers Defense be Enough?
One of the Philadelphia Flyers’ biggest needs this offseason, aside from center, was to bolster the blue line.
The organization locked up Cam York and also has Travis Sanheim locked into a long-term deal. They also added a pair of depth defenders and have some prospects who could make the team in the near future.
The Flyers have been running with Sanheim and York as their top pair.
Below the Flyers’ top pair, they have Nick Seeler, Jamie Drysdale, Rasmus Ristolainen, Egor Zamula, Emil Andrae, Noah Juulsen, and Dennis Gilbert. Prospects like Oliver Bonk and Helge Grans are knocking on the doorstep.
Despite its depth, the Flyers’ defensive core still seems insufficient.
Could the Flyers make the playoffs with their current group? Let’s break down what they have.
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Top Pair Defenseman: Travis Sanheim
The Flyers, in my mind, have one true top-pair defender, and that is Travis Sanheim.
Sanheim is a minute-eating two-way blue liner that has shown the ability to play on a top pairing. If the Flyers pair him with an offensive defenseman, Sanheim can be a lockdown defender. If they pair him with a defensive defenseman, he can lean into his offensive skill.
He can absolutely be a top pair player when the Flyers are competitive again.
To me, I see Sanheim as the perfect complementary player to literally any No. 1 defenseman. Once the Flyers find that true No. 1, Sanheim’s game will significantly benefit.
High Upside Bottom Four Defensemen: Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Oliver Bonk
Sanheim’s typical partner, Cam York, is the next player I’d want to mention.
York is a top-pair player on the current Flyers, but I don’t think he would be on a competitive team.
The young Flyers defenseman is a solid player, but he is not a top-pair defenseman. On that same note, York can be a high-end middle pair player, especially if he can get some of his swagger back under Rick Tocchet.
With Jamie Drysdale, the ceiling does not seem too much higher than a middle pair player, but an exciting one at that.
He will never be a shutdown defender, but if he can lean into his offensive defenseman role and use his elite speed to become a high-end puck mover, he will be very exciting.
Oliver Bonk is a bit of an unknown. The Flyers’ top-defensive prospect is set to join the organization this season, and a year with the Phantoms seems likely. That said, once he gets to the NHL, he looks more like a high-end middle pair player rather than a top pair defender. Of course, that could all change. But, for the time being, he looks like a high upside bottom-four defenseman.
Veterans: Rasmus Ristolainen and Nick Seeer
While the Flyers’ defensive core is relatively young, it’s rounded out with a pair of defensemen who add a bit of stability and a veteran presence.
Rasmus Ristolainen can play up and down the lineup. The big and physical Finn has been one of the Flyers’ biggest trade chips for the last two seasons, but trading him would leave a big gap. He is set to return from a tricep surgery, which SHOULD finally have him back at 100% healthy.
Getting a healthy Ristolainen would be huge for the Flyers’ blue line.
Nick Seeler is a shot blocker, a sick one at that. 405 blocked shots in the last two seasons combined is insane, but that is what he does. Seeler, like Ristolainen, can be moved up and down the lineup.
Both players bring a much-needed veteran presence to the Flyers’ defensive corps, but I don’t see either as a big-time contributor when the Flyers are competitive.
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The Rest: Emil Andrae, Egor Zamula, Noah Juulsen, Dennis Gilbert, Helege Grans
This group has the broadest range of potential. I still see potential for Emil Andre and Helge Grans to be almost everyday NHLers. Zamula may make the NHL roster yet again, but I don’t see him as an everyday player this year.
As for Juulsen and Gilbert, they seemed like depth signings just to make sure the Flyers had some sort of competition. Both players have had some sort of past with Tocchet, so there is some familiarity there in case they are needed.
However, once Oliver Bonk is ready, this whole tier could be left out of the lineup.
So, Do the Flyers Have Enough on their Defense to Compete?
There are multiple ways to look at this. I do think that with what the Flyers have right now, they can make the playoffs. However, that would be more due to the offensive output. Their defensive core absolutely needs some work.
A true number 1 defenseman, preferably a left-side guy, is what the Flyers need. Once they get that, I do think the Flyers’ defensive core is enough.
However, they don’t have that right now, and it will hold them back. Lacking a proper top pair is not something contending teams do. The York, Sanheim pairing is okay, but it’s not great, and it won’t be the top line when this team is competing.
Do you think the Flyers have enough in their defensive core to compete?
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Great article, concise, objective and it gave me insight into what to expect. Also, I much agree with the analysis of the players covered.
Tocchetnas their coach, doesn’t matter.
His c Coyotes teams scored 5 goals or more a game.
Also acgreat 200′ center helps a defense out alot.
I am expecting York to have a very good season, where he takes a big step forward toward being a top pair defenseman. Torts is gone and York has been resigned at 5X5; he has to want to prove this was not a mistake. I’m looking for Andrae to take a step as well. If these happen and if Risto comes back strong, the Flyers should be adequate defensively. But, as usual, a lot of “ifs” with this team.
Yup. Blue line definitely needs work and lacks a true game changer. But right now I would focus on getting Martin Necas from the Avalanche if at all possible and letting him and Zegras hold down the Center positions in the top6 with Couturier and Cates in the bottom6 with Dvorak. M. Necas could be a legit 100point to Center Michkov and Foerster, or Martone, or Konecny. Another option with Zegras. Then you have Luchanko and Nesbitt coming up (and or for trade chips) and Couturier, Cates, and Dvorak insulated into better match-ups. Or Luchanko if he makes the team. Maybe Cates, Brink, a Leafs 2027 1st, and a 2026 2nd get Necas our of Colorado. Or a slightly smaller package gets McTavish out of Anaheim. Briere needs to get it together. Could be the difference between moves like Zegras actually being successful.
Avs probably will not trade Necas and Ducks and Verbeek the same with McTavish.
And to offer for either, would be a guy like Tippett, along with first or second round pick and a yuong defensemen like Bonk.
Zegras would make a much better 2C behind someone like Necas.
Then you can focus on Bowen Byram and or Simon Nemec. Unless your planning on going for another top5 pick. Which considering the goalie situation and blue line would actually make a lot of sense. Maybe bring in M.Necas or M.McTavish with S.Nemec or B. Byram? Or grab 1 of these guys fill a hole and maybe draft in or near the top5 again. Still plenty of rebuilding needed. Little scared to see Briere already getting ahead of himself. Smfh.
Your obsession with Necas is questionable at best. Why would Colorado want to trade him when they just traded Rantenen for him. Stop. Stop. Stop. On every post you make. Alot of your onsite is great. Please just focus on other players/deals to be made. Thx and LGF!
McDonald, Bonk, Gill and Amico are all solid defensemen. Are any of them top pair? Too soon to tell. But they do make for a solid group of rather large prospects. Defense by committee. Could one of them prove to be a top pair “stay at home” defenseman? I do like the size.
Why do folks always throw shade on Risto? Because he doesn’t score a lot of goals? I don’t get it. We are undersized without him – you honestly think we can spar with Florida or some of the west coat teams?
I came to the comments to say the same about Risto! The flyers have a lot of smaller players( compared to Florida and Colorado! If they trade Risto( don’t see that going down) they get smaller! I think we could make the play offs* I need to see this occur!) They still need help!
I can’t wait for flyers hockey! I love my team, and have been suffering right along with them for years( I can not cheer any other team) my dad is the one that got me into the Flyers( I always feel him near me while watching)