Time To Let The Young Guys Fly, A Look At Your 2018-2019 Philadelphia Flyers Defensemen

After many years of waiting, it is finally time to see what the Flyers have in their young defense core. In a process that started all the way back in 2013, it is time to let the prospects fly and see what they can do.




Ever since Ron Hextall has taken over, it seems his strategy has been to build from the backend forward. This is apparent from the Hextall’s drafting style of defense first. Over the years, Hextall has loaded up on high quality and high praised defensive prospects.

However, you cant rush defense prospects and now after years of waiting, it is finally time to let that fly.

Over the past few seasons, we have seen the emergence of a couple of these young future stars already. Shayne Gostisbehere was the first one to jump onto the scene. He was the reason the Flyers made it to the playoffs in 2016. Then, it was Ivan Provorov’s time to shine in his rookie season as a 19 year old. And, last year it was the first look at Robert Hagg and Travis Sanheim.




But, over the past few years, the Philadelphia faithful has been restless with not getting to see their young core. However, that seems like it will change this year.

After letting veteran and stopgap Brandon Manning walk in free agency, a roster spot and regular playing time has opened up for one of these young defensemen. But, who will it be? Will it be Travis Sanheim? Or maybe Philippe Myers perhaps?

Well, lets take a look at your possible 2018-2019 Philadelphia Flyers defensemen…




Provorov – Gostisbehere

Sanheim – MacDonald

Hagg – Gudas

(Folin)

From the looks of last season, the Flyers top pairing of Gostisbehere and Provorov doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Until the Flyers get a minutes-eating #2 defenseman to pair with Provorov, Gostisbehere is the perfect partner for Provorov. They worked extremely well together last season and that chemistry will just be even better this year.

The 2nd and 3rd pairings is really where all the changes could happen. At this point, it is like picking a card and hope you get it right. However, Sanheim seems to be the key to the pairings.




During last season, Sanheim played with both Gudas and MacDonald a fair decent amount. Gudas more towards the beginning of the year and MacDonald at the end of the year after his call-up back from the Phantoms. Sanheim performed a lot better at the end of the season from the work he put in during his assignment to the Phantoms. Which is why I put him back with MacDonald to start the season.

I don’t like putting the Flyers two most physical defensemen on the same pairing. But, if they can play 20 minutes a night and give the top 4 some good rest, then they will do just fine. Another key to the Hagg and Gudas pairing is penalty kill. I always believe that a defense pairing that plays together each night should be on the same penalty kill unit. One reason, CHEMISTRY.

If Hagg and Gudas can form great chemistry together while on the ice at even strength, they will understand each other better during man down situations. A big key to letting the two bash brothers be on the same pairing night in and night out.




Again, at this point in the offseason, it is like playing guess who and hope you get it right. A much clearer view will start to come into picture during training camp in the middle of September.

Dont worry Flyers fans, we are getting closer each and every day.