Instant analysis: Flyers finalize 23-man roster ahead of season opener

With a little over 24 hours separating the Philadelphia Flyers from their season-opening clash with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team has finalized their 23-man roster for the upcoming season. Here is everything you need to know:

Flyers Forwards (13)

Claude Giroux, Travis Konecny, Michael Raffl, Kevin Hayes, Sean Couturier, Nolan Patrick, Scott Laughton, Oskar Lindblom, James Van Riemsdyk, Joel Farabee, Jake Voracek, Morgan Frost, Nic Aube-Kubel

There are no real shocks here. It’s obviously incredibly encouraging to see both Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom make the final 23 after going through so much. Their talent was never in doubt, but any minor lingering concerns over whether or not both would be ready for a full season has now been put to bed. Patrick will likely run the third line with Jake Voracek and JVR, but it’s the depth that really stands out.

Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee both make the final roster after flashing a ton of talent during the 2019-20 campaign. This will be a great opportunity for both prospects to continue to develop.

Frost won’t dress for the season opener due to an abundance of depth at the center position, but he’s in a great spot to rotate onto that fourth line as the season goes on. If Nolan Patrick does have any setbacks with his migraine condition, the Flyers have a great contingency plan.

Flyers Defensemen (8)

Phil Myers, Travis Sanheim, Robert Hagg, Ivan Provorov, Shayne Gostisbehere, Mark Friedman, Justin Braun, Erik Gustafsson

After an offseason of trade speculation, Shayne Gostisbehere will indeed suit up in an orange jersey come opening night. Ghost will join Mark Friedman and Morgan Frost as the three players who won’t dress for the opener, but his presence on the roster gives the team a lot of flexibility and an insurance policy in the instance that Gustafsson struggles or picks up an injury.

Flyers Goaltenders (2)

Carter Hart, Brian Elliott

It’s business as usual between the pipes, although it should still be recognized that the Flyers have finally found serenity at a position that lacked it for the better part of an entire decade. The future is both bright and stable when it comes to goaltender.

Taxi Squad (6)

G Alex Lyon, C Andy Andreoff, LW Sam Morin, LW Carsen Twarynski, D Nate Prosser

Teams will be allowed to bring a 4-6 man taxi squad who don’t count against the cap but can travel, work out with the team, and of course be protected by the franchise against other franchises looking to poach them.

The Flyers rightly protected Alex Lyon and Sam Morin, who could both potentially have roles to play down the stretch. Morin looked to lack a little physicality during the intrasquad scrimmage in what was his first experience on the wing. A year away from the spotlight could do wonders for his development in that area.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms (14)

Chris Bigras, Pascal Laberge, Mason Millman, Roddy Ross, Felix Sandstrom, Zayde Wisdom, Linus Sandin, Tyson Foerster, Derrick Pouliot, Egor Zamula, Wyatte Wylie, Matthew Strome, Tyler Wotherspoon, Max Willman

With the OHL not being the only league on hold for the time being, the Flyers have assigned 2020 draft picks Tyson Foerster and Zayde Wisdom to the Phantoms, which will do wonders for their development. Wisdom notably looked the part during Sunday’s scrimmage and a season competing against fringe-NHL talent will be a great opportunity for both players.

20-year-old Egor Zamula has been competing in the WHL up to this point and will see a step up in competition. Fans have been eager to see what the UDFA has in the tank and this will provide the perfect chance.

Zamula isn’t the only WHLer to join Lehigh Valley this season. Roddy Ross, a 2019 sixth-round pick will also join him, along with Wyatte Wylie.