It’s hard to remember the last time the Philadelphia Flyers were in a position like this. Matvei Michkov is one of the most exciting players in the NHL. The trade for Trevor Zegras suggests a youth movement is in the works with the forward core. Best of all, general manager Dave Briere finished the draft off with Porter Martone, Michigan State’s best forward.
All in all, the Flyers look ready to hit the ground running in 2025-26.
Two players in particular seem poised for big seasons. One is looking to bounce back, while the other is on the cusp of taking that next big step. The Flyers play in the incredibly competitive Metropolitan division, but big seasons from these two players would work wonders for Philly’s playoff chances.
Owen Tippett Needs Bounce Back Campaign
Tippett is an interesting case in the NHL. Once a top-10 pick, Tippett struggled to make an impact with the Florida Panthers before the Claude Giroux trade saw him head to the Flyers. From there, he broke out, nearly hitting the 30 goal mark two seasons in a row.
Last season was an inconsistent one for Tippett, who scored just 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 77 games. “I think I had a lot of ups and downs,” Tippett admitted in his exit interview. “I think there’s room for improvement. I’ve said all year it’s just kind of being more confident in my abilities and being more consistent.”
Tippett shot the puck just 188 times this season, down 101 shots from 2023-24. Fortunately, however, his positive outlook suggests he’s ready to start next season on a good note.
“I think it’s just a matter of being more consistent and taking that next step in a higher role,” he said. “I think with everything that happened with moves or whatever, it kind of caused me to realize that maybe I might be a little bit older than I feel.”
Jamie Drysdale Has Breakout Potential for Flyers
Drysdale, acquired in the Cutter Gauthier trade with the Anaheim Ducks, hasn’t made the impact the Flyers have hoped for yet. With that said, Drysdale is just 23 years old. Defensemen in the NHL don’t develop at the same rate as forwards. Sometimes, all a player needs is a little time to get adjusted before they have their big breakout.
It will certainly help Drysdale to have an old friend in hand, as well. The Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras this offseason. He and Drysdale were very close in Anaheim, with Zegras even making jokes about their bond. Sometimes, all a player needs is a close friend to get his confidence up.
This year is a big one for Drysdale, who is set to play on the Flyers’ second pairing, per Daily Faceoff. It’s also his first full season with new head coach Rick Tocchet, who worked wonders with defenseman Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks.
While it’s unlikely that Drysdale becomes a Hughes-tier player, having a head coach with a deep understanding of responsible defensive play should help Drysdale to take his next step.
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