We’re just a little over the halfway point of the 2024-25 NHL Regular Season. With the 4 Nations Face-Off here, now is a good time to give out some grades for the Philadelphia Flyers forwards.
Coming into the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Flyers (24-26-7) sit last in the Metropolitan Division and 26th overall in the league. Expectations remained slim entering this year, and the overall team performance shows that the Flyers are still in the early stages of their rebuild.
That said, multiple forwards have shown promise for brighter days ahead. Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov have been the driving forces on offense, and Noah Cates has surged up the lineup this season.
Meanwhile, Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost didn’t fit into General Manager Daniel Briere‘s future plans, hence both being dealt to the Calgary Flames.
Here are some grades for the Flyers’ forwards thus far in 2024-25:
Travis Konecny: A+
There’s no doubt that Konecny has been the Flyers’ MVP in 2024-25. He’s scoring at over a point-per-game pace with 61 points (22G, 39A) in 57 games and was named to Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off. He had a career year scoring wise in 2023-24 with 68 points (33G, 35A) in 76 games. He’s well on pace to reach an even higher ceiling this year.
Konecny gives the Flyers everything and more consistently. He’s emerged as an elite forward in the NHL and is sitting 17th overall in scoring. He’s cracked the top 10 at times throughout the year. Konecny is a core player moving forward, and this year’s performances show he is in it for the long haul.
Back during the summer, he inked an eight-year, $70 million contract extension ($8.75M AAV) that will kick in entering 2025-26. With the salary cap expected to rise, his new deal can look like a bargain in the years to come.
Matvei Michkov: A
Michkov has shown flashes of superstar potential in his rookie season. He has 36 points (16G, 20A) in 55 games played and is looking likely to finish top-3 in Calder Trophy voting.
He has struggled at times, resulting in being benched by John Tortorella and receiving limited ice-time during games, but that was to be expected in his first NHL season. You can argue about certain situations all you want, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to be given everything on a silver platter.
He’s also struggled during windows of five-on-five play but has been clinical on the powerplay, scoring six goals so far on the unit. The powerplay ranks 28th in the league, but Michkov has been fun to watch on it.
The 20-year-old has been impressive in his rookie season, and this is only the start of something special.
Noah Cates: B
Cates only played 59 games last year due to injury. He’s played in 53 games so far this year, scoring 22 points (10G, 12A). The points may not seem like anything special, and he hasn’t scored one since Jan. 18, but Cates has resurged this year, and that has resulted in more opportunities on offense.
In December, Cates scored nine points (6G, 3A), including a stretch where he scored a goal in five straight games. He’s seen the most consistency when alongside Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink. He’s ranked second on the team in plus-minus (besides Jakob Pelletier, who hasn’t made his Flyers debut yet) and continues to be a center who can play in all situations.
The better that Cates is moving forward, the better the Flyers are down the middle of the lineup, a position that the organization lacks.
Scott Laughton: B
Scott Laughton seems likely to crack the 40-point mark this year for the Flyers, if he’s still a member of the team at the end of the season, that is. It’s been a yearly occurrence that Laughton’s name is brought up in trade rumors when the trade deadline approaches.
Maybe there’s more juice to the rumors this year than others, but who knows what will happen. However, Laughton continues to play a serviceable role for the Flyers, playing in any situation that arises. What he’s done this year has been the same as in years past. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but he does many things the right way and serves as a leader in the dressing room.
Owen Tippett: B-
Owen Tippett is ranked third on the team with 30 points (14G, 16A). He’s been out of the lineup since Jan. 29 after suffering an upper-body injury. He’s set to be a future piece of the organization, signing an eight-year extension in January 2024, barring any unforeseen changes.
Although Tipper has experienced struggles throughout the year, he possesses the talent and skill to score 30+ goals a season, and he came close last season with 28. Consistency and tapping into yet to see potential will be a main thing to watch moving forward.
Tyson Forester: B-
Similar to Tippett, Tyson Foerster has shown glimpses of high-scoring abilities, but more consistency is needed. Foerster just has 15 goals right now, but he has the potential to have around 20+ at this point in the season.
His play stagnates frequently, and if he wants to be part of the Flyers’ long-term core, he’ll need to find another gear.
Sean Couturier: C+
The Flyers’ captain isn’t the same Selke Trophy-winning forward he was once before back injuries, but he still holds value to the lineup. He has 25 points (8G, 17A) in 54 games, and he scored a hat-trick alongside a career-high five points in a game against the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 26.
Couturier’s leadership role is undeniable. While he’s not at the same on-ice level as before, his hockey IQ remains. He seems likely to reach last year’s point total of 38.
Garnet Hathaway: C
Since Nicolas Deslauriers has missed the majority of the season due to injury, Garnet Hathaway has become the Flyers’ main on-ice bruiser. He currently ranks second in the NHL with 205 hits, behind Kiefer Sherwood, who has a whopping 294.
Hathaway knows his role in the lineup, and he brings the heat each night.
Bobby Brink: C
Bobby Brink has already matched his point total of last year, 23. In 54 games played, he has seven goals and 16 assists. He’s another player who struggles with consistency, but he’s looked comfortable alongside Cates and Foerster.
Brink flashes skill and smooth skating abilities. He performs well in the bottom-6, and if that’s where his game will be at the NHL level, he can be a fine depth piece for the future.
Ryan Poehling: C
Ryan Poehling has been a solid depth center since signing with the Flyers in the summer of 2023. He’s been out of the lineup since Jan. 16 after being injured against the New York Islanders.
Poehling has 15 points (4G, 11A) in 43 games played. He’s a solid bottom-6 center who can produce offense when the opportunity arises. He’s a popular player within the Flyers’ dressing room and gives his all each game.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
