Fansided

Philadelphia Flyers 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Matt Verderame

Oct 9, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) celebrates his goal with right wing Jakub Voracek (93) and right wing Wayne Simmonds (17) during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) celebrates his goal with right wing Jakub Voracek (93) and right wing Wayne Simmonds (17) during the second period against the New Jersey Devils at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

13. player. 68. <p class=. Metropolitan. Eastern Conference. Philadelphia Flyers

Team MVP

Claude Giroux – F

Giroux is one of the most prolific players in the league. The 27-year-old broke onto the national scene in 2010 and since then has been averaging almost a point per game over the past five seasons. While he finished second on Philadelphia in scoring behind Jakub Voracek last year, Giroux remains the top player on the roster. If the Flyers are going to compete, Giroux needs to be in the mix for the Hart Trophy.

Best Case Scenario

Philadelphia rides a potent offense to the playoffs behind the trio of Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds. While the supporting cast does not have a ton of big names, the Flyers are able to get by with solid contributions throughout the four lines and Strait, who gives them another 50-point campaign. In net, Philadelphia gets passable play from Mason, who wins 35 games and keeps Philadelphia in contention for one of the wild card spots in the Metro Division. Ultimately, the power play needs to impress and the Flyers must learn to stay out of the penalty box.

Worst Case Scenario

The aforementioned trio disappoints, and Strait regresses into an average offensive defenseman. The Flyers continue to look for their first stable goaltender since the early days of Ron Hextall, with Mason reminding everyone of Robert Esche, Brian Boucher, Garth Snow, Roman Cechmanek and the like. Philadelphia can’t play any kind of reasonable defense, allowing divisional foes like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals to score early and often against it. By New Years, the only question is whether the Flyers can stay out of the basement.

More from NHL

Home/NHL