Flyers Bold Predictions for 2019-20 Season

The Philadelphia Flyers underachieved last season and missed the postseason. The first order of business this offseason was to name Alain Vigneault the new head coach of the team. Vigneault rounded out the coaching staff by bringing Michal Therien and Mike Yeo on board. The team had a busy offseason buying out defenseman Andrew MacDonald, trading for and signing Kevin Hayes, and acquired two veteran defensemen in Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun. It took a little longer than expected but both big name restricted free agents, Ivan Provorov and Travis Konecny, got signed. 

The changes bring another season of postseason expectation. There is anticipation in that it will be goaltender Carter Hart’s second season after an impressive second half last season. The development of Travis Sanheim last season should continue this season even if he is playing less at even strength, he should see ice time while on special teams. If this team can stay healthy and avoid slumps then they should have a shot at making it deep into the postseason.

Here are five bold predictions for the 2019-20 Flyers Season:

1) A Trip to the Eastern Conference Finals 

The Flyers have the roster to do this on paper, especially if everyone produces at a high level. Vigneault has been known to take his new teams deep into the playoffs within the first few years of taking over. In his first season as the head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Vigneault led the team to a second round loss. His first season with the Vancouver Canucks (2006-07) also ended with a second round loss in the postseason. In his first season with the New York Rangers (2013-14), he lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Los Angeles Kings. 

The roster has improved over last season’s plus the younger kids were able to get some consistent playing time in the second half of last year’s season. The consistency of the team will be key to them going on a postseason run. The veteran defensemen will also make this team better since the pairings will likely each have a left-handed defenseman and right-handed defenseman paired together. Another key to a postseason run will be improved special teams play and the addition of Hayes, Niskanen and Braun should help.

2) Carter Hart is a Vezina Finalist

The Flyers and its fans have been waiting a long time for a franchise goalie to come along. They finally have that in 21-year-old Carter Hart. Yes, he only played in 31 games last season, but he was the major reason that the Flyers even entertained postseason play at one point last season. Hart doesn’t seem like he lets the pressure get to him, and he rarely lets in a bad goal. 

Hart always seems to be in position to make a save and he manages to get back if he isn’t in position. In order to become a Vezina Finalist, he will need to improve his rebound control. At times, he can leave big rebounds and relies on his defense for the clear. Hart also needs to work on reading the play better on a breakaway, which will come with getting to know players better. The young goalie will be better this season and start even more games for Vigneault and the Flyers, which will help with his development and becoming a Vezina Finalist.

3) Sean Couturier Scores 45 Goals

The 26-year-old Sean Couturier is entering his ninth season with the Flyers, and he was more of a defensive force during his first six seasons in the League. The past two seasons he has taken on more of an offensive role having been elevated to the first line center with Claude Giroux moving to the wing. During the 2017-18 season, he scored 31 goals and he had 33 goals last season. Of the 64 goals over the past two seasons, 49 have come at even strength. He also has 11 game-winning goals in the past two seasons.

Couturier really started coming out of his offensive shell once he was put on the top line with Giroux and Jake Voracek in 2017-18. Last season, he played with Giroux and Konecny. Couturier used his big body as a screen in front of the goalie and isn’t afraid to go to the net to get the gritty goals. An improved power play is also going to help Couturier get to 45 goals this season. 

4) Kevin Hayes Finishes with 80 points

Hayes has never had more than 55 points in a season so this bold prediction may be a stretch. Last season with the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, he combined for a career high 55 points. A major reason I think that he will reach the 80 point mark is due to the other two forwards that could potentially be on his line. Another reason is that Nolan Patrick is out with an undisclosed injury right now and is considered more of a week-to-week thing. Patrick may not be available for the team’s opener in Prague on October 4 against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The two potential wingers for Hayes this season could be James van Riemsdyk and Jake Voracek. The trio looked really good in the first preseason game and had a really nice passing play that resulted in a goal. Hayes will be a two-way player on that line, Voracek is the playmaker and van Riemsdyk will be the goal-scorer. The trio has the potential to be a well-balanced point producing machine, if slumps and injuries are avoided. Hayes will also be a key player on the power play unit, whether he plays on the top unit or the second unit.

5) Joel Farabee Makes Team to Start the Season

Joel Farabee had a really good rookie camp and followed it up with a decent rookie game against the New York Islanders. He is in a battle for the third line winger opening along with Chris Stewart and German Rubstov among others. Stewart is with the team on a tryout and has looked okay, but not great so far. Rubstov has looked really good in two preseason games and the rookie game. Rubstov plays a good defensive game and isn’t afraid to go to the net.

Farabee is tenacious on the forecheck. He isn’t afraid to use his speed to try to beat the defender to a loose puck. He will battle for a puck along the boards, but he also gets hit a lot since he still has a smaller frame. Farabee will learn to make the quicker decisions that come with playing in the NHL and the production will start to come with the more playing time that he gets. He started training camp on a line with Couturier and Giroux, due to Konecny’s absence, but he will likely be put on another line now that Konecny is signed and with the team.