With Flyers rookie training camp beginning on September 11, hockey fans are reviewing moves the Flyers made to improve for the upcoming season to compete for a Stanley Cup in 2017.
Philly’s offseason should be something to remember for many years to come, as they acquired the number two overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft this summer.
Nolan Patrick was selected with the pick even though he wasn’t a hundred percent healthy, as Patrick had only played in 33 games last season (20 goals, 26 assists).
Although an injury plagued year might have deterred teams, the numbers Nolan Patrick put up in the 2015-2016 season were just too good to pass up for the Flyers.
Patrick played in 71 games and was fifth in the league in points with 102 (41 goals, 61 assists), he was also named the most valuable player in the WHL playoffs that year.
Philadelphia and Patrick had a procedure to fix a sports hernia on his left side that had been plaguing Patrick ever since his illustrious 2015-16 season.
Patrick had surgery on the hernia June 13, and in an interview with NHL.com said, “I feel more explosive, my skating feels better, and I feel stronger.”
Brett Lomas, 19, of Langhorne, majoring in sports science said, “As an optimistic fan, we will make the playoffs this year, maybe by wild card.”
Another student who believed that the Flyers could make a postseason run this year was 19-year-old Mike Nelms from Holland, majoring in exercise science believed that, “the Flyers will make the playoffs this season, we have a young talented team with Nolan Patrick and a few others”.
Around campus students biggest fear was that the Flyers have had issues through the last few seasons in a couple positions, especially at goaltender.
Philly did sign a well-rounded goalie and two-time all-star in Bryan Elliot to a one year deal for a total of $5.5 million, according to Philly.com.
Elliot, 32, was stellar in his years with St. Louis and last year with Calgary when he had a spectacular end to his season, after a slow start and caught the Flyers eye.
Elliot went 17-6-1 last season with a 2.24 goals against average, and a .924 save percentage.
With the additions of Nolan Patrick and Bryan Elliot this offseason the Flyers have added some depth in scoring, and defensively.
It is also possible for the Flyers to make another move, whether it is calling up one of their young prospects or trading away one of their stars.
Some students thought Philly should trade Giroux or Vorachek, while others think that second year players like Travis Konency could have a breakout year.
Come October 5, fans will see if the Flyers have what it takes to compete for a championship this season.