The Philadelphia Flyers are on a roll and they’re rocking like the band Kiss as they are singing their hit song, “I wanna rock and roll all night, and party everyday.” They have had their uphill battles and struggles this season, while trying to stay in playoff contention. For instance, the wild ten game losing streak in November. Fortunately, the Flyers have rebounded from the ten game losing streak quite nicely, as they now sit in the last wild-card spot. Moreover, they are just one point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division, with two games in hand on the Penguins. Just who would have thought this back in December.
There are multiple reasons for the orange and black’s recent success lately. Goaltending, Travis Konecny, Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek, and a resurgent Nolan Patrick. Did I mention the overtime sensation Konecny? This kid is just flat out good lately. Two game winners, and one helper in overtime in just one week of play. This team appears to have turned the corner for the better. Without further delay here are our answers to your questions.
I’ll keep this short and simple. When can we expect to see Laughton move up the chain to at least 3rd line if not 2nd line? That dudes more than proven himself and there’s no reason Fil should be higher in the food chain. Fil, IMO is a slight upgrade over Lehtera #flyersmail
— Kerry (@MusicIsLife_74) January 19, 2018
Kerry you’re a smart dedicated loyal Flyers fan, I love it. IMO Scott Laughton has earned that second line center spot. Valtteri Filppula is streaky this year. One game he looks good, and the next not so much. Filppula for the season has registered 10 goals, and 11 assists, and Laughton has registered 7 goals, and 7 assists as a fourth line centerman. Moreover, Laughton doesn’t see the ice nearly as much as Filppula. Laughton has resurrected his hockey career, and in my opinion deserves a promotion if and when the wheels fall off the bus for the Flyers. Right now I would keep the lines as is because they’re playing some good hockey.
https://twitter.com/archangels1111/status/956273928426541057
Michael thanks for your response, especially coming from a dedicated, loyal Flyers fan like yourself. The Flyers are in need of a big 205 lbs or more) middle six skilled winger. This was made quite evident last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flyers cannot go speed for speed against teams like the Lightning or the New York Rangers. Isaac Ratcliffe and Matthew Strome are 2-3 years away, and until they arrive the Flyers will not be serious contenders until they fix this issue.
Unfortunately, to gather a big middle six winger you have to give, in order to receive. Teams will be looking for a highly touted prospect in return that could play immediately. For instance, a Travis Sanheim or someone along those lines. Paired with Sanheim, it would have to be another player (Maybe Taylor Leier), a high valued prospect (German Rubtsov or Pascal Laberge), and a 3rd or 4th round draft pick. It would be nice to see if they could package Jori Lehtera in the deal, but that might be unlikely. Look at the haul that the Colorado Avalanche received from Matt Duchene.
It’s highly unlikely Sanheim gets dealt. Even though, the orange and black sent him down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. They still think he is capable of being a top to a mid tier defenseman. Look for the Flyers to sell Brandon Manning or Radko Gudas, and maybe Michal Neuvirth at the deadline. Manning is an ideal rental for a playoff contender. He has a favorable cap hit of $975,000, and Manning will be a UFA at years end.
With the emergence of up and coming goaltending prospect Carter Hart. The Flyers may have some questions at that position at years end. Hart looks to figure in the Phantoms plans next season, and in my opinion he will be the starting goaltender for them next season. The orange and black will have to figure out what to do with goaltending prospects such as Anthony Stolarz, and Alex Lyon. Trading Neuvirth would definitely make this decision that much easier. So, don’t be alarmed if Neuvirth goes to a playoff contender, as Lyon is more than capable of being a serviceable backup goaltender for the Flyers.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our facebook page or on Twitter using the #Flyersmail. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag, and Let’s go Flyers.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
