As we’ve reached August, let’s continue taking a look at where the Philadelphia Flyers line-up stands.
General manager Danny Briere was active in addressing the team’s major areas of need early last month.
Prior to free agency, the Flyers signaled a change in their approach and structure with the hiring of Rick Tocchet as their head coach.
If you are looking for a deep dive into Tocchet’s coaching philosophies on defense and breakouts, you should check out colleague Bill Meltzer’s “What You Need To Know” series.
Recently, Flyers Thoughts took a four part “deep dive” look at his potential forward units. You can check those out here:
Now it’s time to turn attention to the Flyers’ defense and what potential pairings Tocchet may deploy. This look-in accounts for the absence of Rasmus Ristolainen continues recovery from his right triceps tendon rupture. He will not be participating in training camp.
Cam York: A New Beginning
One thing that you shouldn’t expect to change going from Brad Shaw to Rick Tocchet: Cam York and Travis Sanheim being on the ice for critical moments.
A major area of offseason business for the Flyers was locking in York for the long term.
In early July, he agreed to a five year, $25.75 million contract ($5.15 million AAV).
The contract made York the second highest paid defenseman on the team, only behind Sanheim ($6.25 million AAV).
As a result expectations on York have certainly increased as a result. His relationship between York, Tocchet, and Todd Reirden will be one to watch.
York acknowledged the struggles he had in the 2024-2025 season, where he finished with three goals, 17 points, and a plus-minus of minus-eight, and is looking to get back to the track he was on prior to last season.
“I want to use (last) year and make it an example for me down the road,” York said. “Last year didn’t go my way and not every year is going to be perfect. It’s not going to the exponential growth that you want to see as a player, I’m more than confident that I can come out and do some good things next year.”
Travis Sanheim: Flyers Blueline Bedrock
Conversely, Sanheim is a locked in commodity. A member of Canada’s 4 Nations Tournament team with an invitation to their 2026 Olympic camp, he’s emerged in the prime of his career as a top pairing defenseman.
Considering how he started his tenure under John Tortorella, his “trial by fire” under the former head coach shaped him into that.
As the Flyers primary all situations blueliner, Sanheim has seen a steady uptick in his ice-time, usage, and takeaways with 51.
While NHL teams look for a Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes, it’s fair to say he isn’t in that perennial Norris Trophy tier. But there’s little question that a contending team would see him as an asset towards Stanley Cup contention.
Second Pair: Drysdale And….
Jamie Drysdale experienced a full-on roller coaster of a season. Recovering from injury, multiple healthy scratches, and the realization that if he was going to become a long term consideration for the Flyers, adjustments were needed.
He finished with an eye popping minus-32 rating to go with his 20 points in 70 games played.
“I’d say it was just kind of when I was out at the start of the year,” Drysdale said in late April. “There was a lot of talks with Torts and Brad Shaw and just kind of full transparency, just saying, like, ‘Hey, it’s not good enough. We need this out of you.’ At that point, it was just kind of realizing I’ve got to do it. There’s really no way around it.”
“I started feeling confidence in my game. It brought me to realize the player I could be and can be and am capable of being.”
Drysdale’s ability to move quickly as a rover, finding forwards in transition with the puck, and stick handling at the point will be critical in hatching Tocchet’s heavy forecheck.
However, he needs to become much more consistent in his own end to hold up as their #3 defenseman.
The other major question at the start of the season will be: who will be his partner?
Seeler Vs. Juulsen: Similar Options for the Flyers
Under normal circumstances, this would be more of a third pairing question. But with Ristolainen remaining out through training camp, Rick Tocchet is looking at an audition for his role between incumbent Nick Seeler and newcomer Noah Juulsen.
The interesting thing about both players is how similar their games are. Seeler and Juulsen both play heavy styles, are willing to engage and support in their own end.
What makes this a fascinating is knowing that Juulsen was a trusted stay at home defenseman with the Canucks under Tocchet. He is a smooth skater with good up ice vision, though he was pointless in 35 games played.
That stated, Seeler is coming off his best statistical season as an NHLer, with three goals and 20 points in 77 games played. He is a team leader, strong on the penalty kill, and his shot blocking prowess. Expect that he’ll have the edge heading into training camp.
The Depth Options
Egor Zamula went from a promising prospect to battling for his roster spot this upcoming season. However, a fresh start under a new head coach might help his cause.
The 6 foot 3, 201lb defenseman struggled with consistency and his pace of play. While he has shown a high panic point through his young career, it’s time his play speeds up.
Zamula bounced in and out of Tortorella’s lineup last season and never seemed to settle in. He finished with three goals and 15 points in 63 games, along with a minus-15 rating.
He will competing with recent signing Dennis Gilbert, Helge Grans, Adam Ginning, and Hunter McDonald. The clock is ticking on his time with the Flyers.
Off The Post Radio Podcast
In case you missed it, this week’s Off The Post Radio featured special guest Jeff Marek from The Sheet.
It was a fun, wide-ranging conversation, so have a listen:
NO mention of Emil Andrae. The player who was specifically named as a reason not to draft Zeev Buium.
So Emil Andrea doesn’t even get a mention as a possible depth option.