Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 Philadelphia Flyers.
2025-26 Philadelphia Flyers
2024-25 Season
The Flyers endured a tough year, finishing 25th overall with a 33–39–10 record (76 points). While they showed flashes of progress under John Tortorella, major flaws remained across the lineup. Their offence was inconsistent, ranking just 2.83 goals per game, while defensive lapses pushed them to 28th in goals against at 3.45 per contest. Special teams were especially problematic, with a power play that ranked dead last in the NHL at 14.5 percent and a penalty kill that finished 20th at 77.6 percent.
Matvei Michkov’s rookie season provided some optimism, but he often clashed with Tortorella over defensive play and ice time. Travis Konecny led the offence again, while Sean Couturier struggled to stay healthy and effective. On the blue line, Travis Sanheim shouldered heavy minutes, but overall depth remained thin. Between the pipes, Samuel Ersson showed flashes, yet Philadelphia’s goaltending was a bottom-tier weakness all season.
2025 Offseason
Change came quickly this summer. Philadelphia hired Rick Tocchet as the franchise’s 25th head coach, replacing Tortorella with a new voice but retaining the hard-working identity established over the past two years. Tocchet’s mandate: improve player relationships, modernize the power play, and instill structure without stifling creativity.
On the ice, the Flyers’ biggest splash came via trade, acquiring Trevor Zegras from Anaheim. The 24-year-old centre brings the playmaking spark this roster has lacked for years. Christian Dvorak also arrived to stabilize the middle six, while Dan Vladar was added to form a tandem with Ersson in net. Outgoing pieces included Ryan Poehling, Freddy Gaudreau, and Declan Chisholm.
For Philadelphia, the focus turns to keeping Michkov on track while navigating a heavy cap sheet that still features Sean Couturier’s long-term deal. Tyson Foerster’s development and Bobby Brink’s rise also factored into the club’s planning. Philadelphia was ranked 15th in The Athletic’s “Most Improved” list, signalling cautious optimism but plenty of ground still to cover.
Lineup Projections
Forwards
| LW | C | RW |
|---|---|---|
| Matvei Michkov | Sean Couturier | Travis Konecny |
| Christian Dvorak | Trevor Zegras | Owen Tippett |
| Tyson Foerster | Noah Cates | Bobby Brink |
| Nicolas Deslauriers | Rodrigo Abols | Garnet Hathaway |
Top Six
The Flyers’ top line centres on Michkov, Couturier, and Konecny. Michkov’s offensive brilliance is undeniable, and Tocchet has emphasized that he’ll get every chance to succeed, provided he buys into a more complete game. Konecny remains the engine, while Couturier’s health will be crucial to anchoring this unit. The second line could be a swing factor. Zegras will get a long look down the middle, flanked by Tippett’s shot and Dvorak’s two-way ability. If Zegras flourishes, Philadelphia could finally have two legitimate scoring lines.
Bottom Six
The third line blends upside and responsibility, with Foerster and Brink offering scoring punch around Cates’ defensive reliability. The fourth line maintains grit with Hathaway and Deslauriers, joined by newcomer Abols. Compared to last year, the Flyers’ bottom six has more balance, though finishing ability beyond Foerster remains a question mark.
Defence
| LD | RD |
|---|---|
| Cam York | Travis Sanheim |
| Nick Seeler | Jamie Drysdale |
| Egor Zamula | Noah Juulsen |
Extras: Rasmus Ristolainen (injured), Ryan Ellis (LTIR)
Top Four
Sanheim and York will carry the heaviest responsibilities, tasked with playing against elite opponents while moving the puck efficiently. Drysdale’s health and progression are pivotal — if he takes another step, the second pairing could stabilize. Seeler continues to serve as a steady depth piece.
Bottom Pair
Zamula and Juulsen round out the group, though neither is more than a depth option at this point. Ristolainen remains sidelined, and Ellis’ contract is effectively permanent LTIR relief. The lack of top-end defensive talent remains one of Philadelphia’s most glaring weaknesses.
Goalies
Starter: Samuel Ersson
Backup: Dan Vladar
Goaltending remains shaky. Ersson is the de facto starter after flashes of promise last year, but consistency is far from guaranteed. Vladar, acquired from Calgary, will compete for starts but his track record suggests he’s more of a stopgap. This tandem may struggle to keep Philadelphia competitive, especially if the defensive structure falters.
Players to Watch
Matvei Michkov – Entering his sophomore season, Michkov is expected to take another leap. Tocchet has challenged him to evolve into more than a pure scorer, and his ability to contribute in all situations will define his trajectory.
Trevor Zegras – The new addition brings flair and offensive upside, but he arrives with questions about consistency and his ability to thrive as a full-time centre. If he clicks, Philadelphia’s offence could finally push into the NHL’s middle tier.
Prediction for the 2025-26 Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers remain in the early stages of their rebuild. Tocchet’s arrival should improve relationships and accountability, but the roster still lacks a true No. 1 centre and elite defenceman. Zegras’ addition adds intrigue, and Michkov’s growth is the franchise’s top storyline. Still, glaring issues in net and on the blue line temper expectations.
Philadelphia should improve modestly, with potential to climb toward the mid-80s in points if everything breaks right. However, more likely is another finish in the bottom third of the league, with eyes firmly on development and the draft lottery. The contention window remains closed, but the long-term outlook hinges on Michkov, Zegras, and their young core proving they can be cornerstone pieces.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline- Imagn Images
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