I have never been one to subscribe to the belief that a team “can’t win with so-and-so”. I’ve always believed that winning in team sports is all about the mix of players on the roster. For example, I don’t think any individual player is too small to have success in the postseason. Daniel Briere, for example, was one of the best playoff performers in Flyers’ history.
A team, however, CAN be too small on its mix. It can have too many average to below-average skaters. The club can have too many pass-first guys or an abundance of shoot-first forwards but insufficient playmaking. A defense corps can have plenty of physicality but insufficient puck movers or ability to jump into the play. The opposite can also be true.
I will get to the point as relates to the current Flyers: In and of himself, I have no objection to the Flyers pursuing Marco Rossi. He’s a very good player who can absolutely fit in top-six despite be an exceptionally small center (5-foot-9, 182 pounds). I have no problem with now-GM Briere potentially signing pint-sized KHL star Maxim Shabanov (5-foot-8, 170-some pounds).
However, I do worry about the mix of players if these things were to come to fruition.
The current mix
If Jett Luchanko is part of the plan at center next year or come 2026-26, that’s Rossi plus the strictly average-sized Luchanko (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) down the middle. On defense, Jamie Drysdale is on the smaller side of average. Cam York is on the smaller side. Emil Andrae is sturdy (as is York) but he’s quite short at 5-foot-9.
Want to add Shabanov to the mix on wing? OK, but is 5-foot-8 Bobby Brink also still part of the mix? Matvei Michkov is a budding superstar but he’s another part of the puzzle (and a must-have one) who is of below-average size. Is Denver Barkey part of the plan in another year or two after he gains some pro experience first in the American Hockey League? The Flyers hope so. But that’s another player with a disadvantage in size (listed at 5-foot-10, 171 pounds) to work around.
A qualified maybe (again, a question of the mix)
At some point, there IS such a thing as a lineup having too many small-to-average size and strength players. Before I say yes or no to adding a certain player (except for absolute no-brainer additions), I want to know: 1) How does he fit the assembled mix? Who fits his strengths and can balance off the weaknesses? 2) How consistent is he in applying his strengths to meet the team needs? 3) What’s the salary cap effect? Perhaps there’s a cheaper or shorter-term option.
Given the current Flyers blend on the roster, I’d personally say no to Shabanov. I’d say maybe to Rossi if there’s a short-term center signing such as unrestricted free agent Brock Nelson for another line. I want to allow for the 19-year-old (come late August) Luchanko to develop for one more year. When a plan takes shape for adjusting the mix to target these additions, I can better answer with a definitive yay or may on whether I approve.
Quick Hits: June 1, 2025
- The championship game of the 2025 Memorial Cup is tonight in Rimouski, Quebec. The OHL champion London Knights (featuring Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Barkey) will take on the WHL titleist Medicine Hat Tigers. Medicine Hat went 3-0 during the round-robin phase of the tournament. while London (3-1) has been a juggernaut in the OHL regular season and playoffs in each of the last two years. London lost in last year’s Memorial Cup championship match.
- Charity Classic Weekend. The Flyers Alumni Association have three big events planned over three days (June 21, 22, and 23) of this month. On June 21, there is an Alumni/fan pickleball tournament (all skill levels welcome) at Bounce Pickleball in Malvern, PA. The next day marks the return of the Walk/Run/Ride event. The event has moved to Conshohocken from its previous locales in Washington Crossing and the Wells Fargo Center/Navy Yard complexes. June 23 is the annual golf tournament at Dupont Country Club in Wilmington. All three events are fundraisers for the community and charity work the Alumni do throughout the Delaware Valley.
- Ides of Marsh/ Team Therien. One of the most popular aspects of past Charity Classic events (back when it was only the 5k/bike ride day) was Flyers Alumni having their own “teams” at the event. This year, attendees are welcome to do the Walk/Run/Ride individually, as part of a private team or with Alumni celebrity teams headed by Brad Marsh (Ides of Marsh) or Chris Therien (Team Therien) regardless of whether one plans to walk/run or bicycle. There will be team pictures taken that run on Alumni social media. Also, there are special discount codes to register for Team Therien (BUNDY25) other the Ides of Marsh (MARSH25).
- Stanley, the lab retriever puppy the Flyers Alumni adopted and, in tandem with Team Foster and America’s VetDogs, will have trained to become a donated service dog for a veteran or first responder in need, will also be at the Walk/Run/Ride. The Flyers official website and social media will track Stanley’s 18-plus month journey from puppy to service dog and companion who improves the quality of life for a hero-in-need.
Test. Website won’t accept my comments/posts.
Test worked. Someone’s first blog response comment has to be approved in moderation. This is the first one I have seen from you.
Why does it have to be approved??
Wouldn’t lots of comments and real debates be great.
Yes I know some ppl take it 2 far.
But most times it’s never that bad
Once approved on a first comment, future comments post automatically.