The Philadelphia Flyers begin their 2024-25 regular season campaign tonight in Vancouver. During 2023-24, the Flyers exceeded expectations and nearly saw themselves in the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20.
Looking ahead to this new season, the Flyers writers at Philly Sports Network shared their predictions for 2024-25.
Nathaniel Tennesen
Leading Scorer: Travis Konecny
Matvei Michkov will be an offensive weapon in his rookie season, but Travis Konecny will be the leading scorer at the end of the year. He’s registered back-to-back 30+ goal seasons, and if he plays a full 82-game season, he can definitely score 35+ goals.
He’ll be featured on the top powerplay unit and the penalty kill, aka the “power kill.” Michkov will help boost the NHL’s worst powerplay, and Konecny will reap the rewards from the 19-year-old’s playmaking skills.
Finish in Metropolitan Division: 5th place
The Flyers almost squeaked into the playoffs last season before a collapse in the final weeks. The goaltending is the biggest question for the Flyers heading into 2024-25. In a division featuring Igor Shesterkin, Ilya Sorokin, Frederik Andersen, and Jacob Markstrom, the Flyers’ goaltending doesn’t compete with those four.
The Flyers could shock us again like last year and make a push, but I think the Metro will finish as follows: Rangers, Devils, Hurricanes, Islanders, Flyers, Capitals, Penguins, Blue Jackets.
Biggest Surprise: Jett Luchanko doesn’t get sent back to Guelph
The Flyers’ 13th overall pick at the 2024 NHL Draft, Jett Luchanko, impressed management so much that he made the roster out of training camp and will be the youngest player in Flyers’ history to suit up for the club.
Luchanko already possesses elite NHL speed and is a reliable 200ft player. He’ll continue to impress in the season’s opening weeks and will be rewarded with a full-time NHL roster spot.
Boldest Prediction: Flyers trade for Trevor Zegras
Bold prediction for a reason. Daniel Briere will make a trade for Trevor Zegras at some point during the season. Zegras has been linked to the Flyers for a while now, and I think a deal gets done.
Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek will be seeking a big return for Zegras, but the Flyers have three first-round draft picks in 2025 and two seconds. More than just draft picks will be needed to get a deal done, but I think that Zegras will link back up with Jamie Drysdale in Philadelphia. The Flyers know they need to keep adding high-end talent, and Zegras fits that bill.
Christopher Babos
Leading Scorer: Travis Konecny (41G, 40A, 81 Points)
Travis Konecny enters 2024 following 31 and 33-goal seasons. The 27-year-old forward was rewarded for back-to-back 30-goal seasons with a lengthy extension over the summer.
With assistance from a heavy offseason focus on improving the Flyers’ powerplay by the coaching staff, Konecny reaches double-digits in goals on the powerplay, which he has never done in the NHL before. TK will retain his status as one the NHL’s premier short-handed threats with at least five short-handed goals for the second straight season.
Finish in Metropolitan Division: 3rd Place
For most of the 2023-2024 season, the Philadelphia Flyers were entrenched in the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Metro division before running out of steam in March. John Tortorella and the Flyers navigate the tough road-heavy late March schedule better in 2024-25 to return playoff hockey to Broad Street.
Biggest Surprise: Tyson Foerster Scores 25 Goals & Passes 50 Points
Second-year forward Tyson Foerster scored 20 goals over 77 games played during the 2023-24 season. The 22-year-old winger excelled with additional ice time late in the year with 10 goals over his last 25 NHL games. Foerster will sidestep the sophomore slump scoring at least 25 goals this season and passing the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career.
Boldest Prediction: Matvei Michkov wins Flyers’ First Calder Trophy
Despite some big-name rookies like Eric Lindros, a Philadelphia Flyers player has never won the Calder Memorial Trophy. Matvei Michkov has drawn rave reviews with early impressions on the ice following a summer transition from Russia to North America.
Michkov’s skills help drive the Flyers back to the postseason behind a similar stat line as last season’s winner, Connor Bedard. Chicago’s electric forward scored 61 points on 22 goals and 39 assists last year.
Eric Moratelli
Leading Scorer: Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny will lead the Flyers in points for the fourth consecutive season. He has been a steady part of the Flyers offense and now he looks to get time on the top line with Matvei Michkov. He is also fresh off signing a new 8-year contract to stay in Philadelphia, so he will be comfortable.
Finish in Metropolitan Division: 4th place
With a year of playoff-hunting experience under their belt, the Flyers will finish out stronger than they did at the end of the 2023-24 season. They will finish fourth in the Metropolitan Division and make the playoffs for the first time since bubble season of 2020.
Biggest Surprise: Jamie Drysdale
Jamie Drysdale seems healthy. He said he feels as good as he has in a long time. Drysdale will play in significantly more games this year and be a big presence for the Flyers on the blue line.
Boldest Prediction: Matvei Michkov scores 60+ points
Michkov will have a 60-point season. Connor Bedard put up 61 points in 68 games in his rookie campaign. If Michkov plays consistently, there is no reason to think he can’t be a productive playmaker on this offense that has another year of experience under their belt.
Hayley Taylor Simon
Leading Scorer: Travis Konecny, 75 points
Finish in Metropolitan Division: 3rd place
Boldest Prediction: Tyson Foerster has another 20 goal season
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
