The City Of Brotherly Love- A Philadelphia Flyers Dynasty - sharper8's Blog

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The City Of Brotherly Love- A Philadelphia Flyers Dynasty

Posted on January 25, 2014 at 10:22 PM.

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It has been three seasons since the Philadelphia Flyers found themselves in the Stanley Cup final versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Since then the "City of Brotherly Love" has not been so lovely. The team has failed to make any serious impact in the post season, back to back years after the cup final Philly lost in the Conference Semi Final and to make matters worse, they failed to make the post season in what was a shortened season last year.

Vice President Bob Clarke has made it clear that things will be changing on this Flyers team. He has noted that the unfortuante departure of grizzled veteran Chris Pronger is moving the team in a new direction. The team has pieces needed to complete this puzzle and make the long grind of the NHL post season; however, it is clear that there are needs that WILL be addressed.

With that lets take a look at the depth chart of this Flyers team:

Goaltending:

Ray Emery: Seasoned vet who is starting to see his window for a cup coming to a close. Although Emery put up fantastic numbers on a power house Chicago team last year, no one should be expecting the same thing out of him this year.

Steve Mason: That Calder trophy year is a distant memory for this young goaltender. The Flyers picked up Mason in exchange for G Michael Leighton and a 3rd round pick near the deadline last season. Philly is still hoping Mason can raise his level of play to what it was in 2009. During this offseason the Flyers resigned Mason to a 4 year deal with an AAV of $3.525M

Defense

Andrej Meszaros: With the semi-retired Chris Pronger out of the picture Meszaros is a dman that the Flyers will be relying on heavily. Like the majority of this defensive core Meszaros is getting old and dont have many strong years ahead of them. He is a solid shut down dman who the flyers hope can return to his 2010-2011 form putting up 32 points with a +/- of 30.

Braydon Coburn: A man who should be in the peak of his prime but has seen a few very tough years. Coburn was part of all kinds of trade speculation over the past two years and espically at the draft this off season. A strong DFD, the Flyers will need Coburn back in top form.

Kimmo Timonen: Once on of the best OFD in the NHL, Timonen has seen the affect that age can have on a player. You would think this is Timonens last kick at the can and if he can bring a solid game night in night out playing limited minutes, the Flyers will benefit from the pure nature ability this man has.

Luke Schenn: When the Flyers brought in Luke Schenn and united him with brother Brayden they thought this could elevate the play of Luke. The Flyers are all but impressed with the play of this 23 year old. Still young and still very much potential Luke could help this club if he keeps his game simple and doesn't try and carry the play on his back.

Mark Streit: One of two "big" off season signings. Mark Streit is as talented at putting the puck in the net as any defenseman. At the age of 35 Streit is another player that is part of the old man club of the defensive "corpse" in Philadelphia.

Nicklas Grossmann/ Erik Gustafsson/Hal Gill: All three are solid 5 or 6 dmen that will fill out the depth of this Flyers D-core.

Forwards

Claude Giroux: Claude Giroux... need we say more? The face of the Flyers franchise a man who loves to win and has made it clear that he will bring a cup to Philadelphia. Not only is Giroux playing for the Stanley Cup, he is also battling the best Canada has to offer and hoping to crack a top six role on the Canadian National Team in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Jakub Voracek: 6'2" 215lbs and a natural goal scorer, Voracek was acquired in the big trade that sent Jeff Carter over to Columbus. The Flyers are hoping Voracek can bring a one two punch to this roster and if last season was a glimpse into the future Flyer fans will be thrilled. Voracek put up 22G 24A 46P in 48GP with a team that didn't qualify for the playoffs.

Scott Hartnell: The LW that must return to form. In the 2011/12 season Hartnell put up an impressive 37G 30A 67P in 82GP; however, he followed that up with 11P in 32GP. If Hartnell can return to a 30 goal scorer the Fylers will be laughing up front.

Vincent Lecavlier: Welcome Vinny! By far the biggest signing of the off season for Philadelphia. Vinny adds experience and tremendous talent to an already deep center position. Oh and lets not forget the fact that he is a proud man who was just bought out of a contract from a place that he called home for his whole career. This is a man on a mission and if the Flyers needed that at any time, now would be the year.

Wayne Simmonds: Strong TWF who like Voracek is hoping to continue off of a solid 2012/13 season. Simmonds was one of two major pieces acquired in the Mike Richards trade to LA.

Brayden Schenn: At 22 years of age we are yet to see the best of Brayden Schenn. Schenn is young hard nosed and talented. Flyers fans should be ecstatic at the prospect of this young man and hope that this season is his break out year.

Sean Couturier: 20 years old and has already played 2 full seasons in the NHL. A strong TWF who can kill penalty's play on your power play and shut down top lines when needed. Again another player who adds to the amazing center depth that this Flyers team has.

Matt Read: Coming onto the Flyers team as a 25 year old rookie there wasn't much expectations for Matt Read. Well when he put up 24G and 47P in 79GP that all changed. Matt Read could is a small man who can play on a 3rd line checking role or a top 6 scoring role and if he can find a way to put the puck in the net and stay reliable defensively then there is lots of opportunity for him on this Flyers team.

Zac Rinaldo/Adam Hall/Tye Mcginn/Jay Rosehill: Will all fill in the bottom 6/healthy scratch roles for this Flyers team. Couple big bodies who can throw down and play some Broad Street Bullys hockey.

Going into camp the Flyers have $1.530M available in cap space.

Welcome to the Dynasty!!