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Flyers rebuild: “We are beginning to get pieces we need”
Flyers governor Dan Hilferty and president of hockey operations Keith Jones met with the media at the FTC in Voorhees on Tuesday. The overriding topic was the state of the rebuild. Both Hilferty and Jones said they believe the Flyers organization is ready to move on the next phase of the rebuild. Jones defined it as the end of subtracting talent and being trade deadline sellers. The team will soon be ready to start adding talent.
In the immediate future, the largest improvements have to come from within. Jones said that he foresees internal competition driving the team over the year, whether it’s for roster spots or ice time. Continued improvements from younger players is vital. They unsurprisingly identified players such as Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster and Jamie Drysdale as crucial to making the next step successful.
“In the previous two years, we would be quick to make changes in order to get better for the future. Now, it would be about staying on course, which is advancing. It’s not about moving back,” Jones said.
Flyers don’t plan to be sellers again
Rather, the goal is to be ready to be a regular playoff team in the near future beyond this year. Jones indirectly referred back to the mid-to-late 2010s when the Flyers annually alternated between missing the playoffs and losing in the first round of the postseason. That’s what he wants to avoid.
The Hockey Ops director said he expects the team to be significantly improved. The club would need roughly a 17-point improvement (from 76 points to about 93) to stay competitive for the lower wildcard slot in the Eastern Conference. However, both Jones and HIlferty said that making the playoffs in 2025-26 is not how they’ll define success.
Meanwhile, Hilferty asserted that “the slow and steady” patient approach will pay off. He and Jones said that an emerging nucleus will gel under new head coach Rick Tocchet.
“We feel we are beginning to get the pieces we need (to eventually work back into contention),” Hilferty said.
Focus remains on building a contender
Specifically the aim to become a contending team again for the long haul. He cannot put a deadline or exact timetable to reach that point. However, he knows what it would involve. Hilferty said the ultimate goal is to “sustain a level of excellence” that long-range contenders must display year-in and year-out.
Before the Flyers reach that point, there’s still a lot of steps to be taken. However, Jones and Hilferty insist the team already bottomed out and is now on the upswing.
Press conference notes and quotes: Part 1
- Several weeks ago, Flyers general manager Daniel Briere expressed optimism that Tyson Foerster (elbow infection) would be ready for training camp and the start of the season. The prognosis remains upbeat. Foerster participated in Monday’s golf outing and reported that he now feels fully healthy. However, he’ll have to be cleared by team doctors for training camp.
- Hilferty and Jones didn’t delve into a lot of detail about the salary cap management plan. The team is currently very tight to the cap ceiling. ($227,739 according to CapWages). However, the team’s 2025 off-season acquisitions (Trevor Zegras) and signings are all on either expiring or two-year (Dan Vladar) contracts in 2025-26. Hilftery said the team still can’t “jump ahead of itself” and long-term cap flexibility remains a goal. However, he feels there’s a roadmap for improving the roster and staying within the cap moving forward.
- Jones expressed confidence that Samuel Ersson can still be a successful starting or tandem goalie in the NHL. “I’m a big believer in Sam Ersson,” Jones said. “I think that Sam is going to stand up to the test here this year.” Jones added that Dan Vladar has the talent to push Ersson for playing time. He’s finally become healthy (and had success) since the 4 Nations break last season.
Press conference notes and quotes: Part 2
- Meanwhile, Jones said he’s not ready to write off Ivan Fedotov or Aleksei Kolosov just yet as NHL candidates. Jones indicated that the organization received assurances from Kolosov that he intends to be there for training camp this year (unlike 2024). Jones conceded that neither Russian/Belarusian netminder adapted as hoped last season.
- According to Jones, Michkov has more than just the talent to blossom from rookie standout to bonafide NHL star. The player also has the internal drive to reach that level. Jones also mentioned Foerster, Bobby Brink and Noah Cates as players on the upswing. He expects Cam York to snap back to his 2023-24 level or better. Additionally, he expects two players in their primes — Travis Konecny and Travis Sanheim — to provide leadership and consistent production.
Flyers pre-camp scrimmage
By NHL rule, coaches are not allowed on the ice with players until the official start of training camp at the end of next week. However, Flyers veterans can conduct scrimmages of their own on the FTC rinks. On Tuesday, numerous Flyers and Phantoms vets scrimmaged. Note that Foerster is not yet cleared to play, and did not participate.
Second-year pro Massimo Rizzo wore a spare Michkov jersey during the scrimmage. The real Michkov played for the orange team. Rizzo sported a white Michkov sweater. (However, if the Flyers could somehow clone their young winger, they’d gladly dress him for games!)
Flyers Rookie Camp Gets Underway on Thursday
While main NHL camp attendees will be on the ice again on Thursday, Flyers Rookie Camp attendees will prepare in earnest for the upcoming Rookie Series in Allentown. In all likelihood, Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach John Snowden will be behind the Flyers bench for the two games against the Rangers prospects.
Jett Luchanko (groin issue), Denver Barkey (OHL playoff high ankle sprain) and Oliver Bonk (unspecified) attended Development Camp in July. However, none participated in on-ice sessions. All three players are expected to be full participants at Rookie Camp. Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if the Flyers are cautious about having these players suit up in back-to-back games this weekend. There’s risk and not much reward in having them play two games in two days at this stage before the season.
Hathaway Beer Brand Launch Party
Veteran Flyers winger Garnet Hathaway and his wife Linday hosted and Engine 19 IPA launch party on Wednesday in conjunction with the Flyers. Dogfish Head Co-Founder and Head Brewer Sam Calagione also attended the event on Wednesday evening at HS Pop Up Garden at South Street in Philadelphia. A portion all sales go to support local first responders via the player’s Hath’s Heroes program the Hathaways created in tandem with Flyers Charities. The beer will be available locally including at XFinity Mobile Arena.
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