As training camp and the preseason draw slightly closer, the Flyers already busy offseason warrants a look back.
The Flyers have certainly made many changes. Some things, though, have also remained the same.
The biggest change is the new face behind the bench with former North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol making the jump to the NHL.
With all of these changes, and a rookie head coach making the transition, are the Flyers in position to make a run at the playoffs after missing the postseason for the second time in three seasons in 2014-15?
Hakstol's lack of experience could certainly play a factor, but he seems to possess all of the qualities that a good coach needs to have.
The Flyers made some defensive changes, trading Nick Grossmann and signing Yevgeni Medvedev. It remains to be seen where Medvedev truly ends up in the lineup, especially with several prospects waiting in the wings. Shayne Gostisbehere and Robert Hagg are both on the verge of being called to the NHL, possibly for good, and Sam Morin joins the Phantoms for his first pro season. First-round pick Ivan Provorov has a chance to make the team right out of training camp.
Offensively, the Flyers opted to keep the band together. Jake Voracek joined Claude Giroux in receiving a long contract extension. Voracek's eight-year deal keeps the Flyers 1-2 punch around for years to come.
Sean Couturier also received a vote of confidence from GM Ron Hextall with his six-year extension.
The new piece to the offense is Sam Gagner, acquired as part of the trade with Grossmann. Gagner has struggled in previous seasons, but seems motivated to make this season with the Flyers count.
The Flyers also upgraded in goal, signing Michal Neuvirth to take the place of Ray Emery as backup to Steve Mason.
For all of the upgrades the Flyers made with new acquisitions – and there really isn't one that appears to be too bad on paper – the Flyers are still stuck with Vincent Lecavalier, Andrew MacDonald and R.J. Umberger. While the Flyers could be hoping to get more out of those players under a new coach, it really rests on the players.
Umberger and Lecavalier especially need to prove themselves. If they have seasons similar to their 2014-15 campaigns, there is a good chance the Flyers will opt to buy out both contracts next offseason. The Flyers are likely stuck with MacDonald for longer than that, as he is under contract until 2020.
Despite that, the Flyers have solid scoring pieces in place with Giroux, Voracek, Wayne Simmonds and Michael Raffl, while looking for an increase from Couturier and improved seasons from Matt Read and Brayden Schenn.
Defensively, while it could be a showcase for the kids, Mark Streit provides veteran leadership. He's joined by the likes of Nick Schultz, Luke Schenn and Michael Del Zotto serving as a veteran presence, though a lot is subject to change as the blue line gets younger.
Is this a playoff team? It remains to be seen. But the foundation of a bright future is in place and things could be brightening up as soon as this season, especially with some young faces potentially joining the fold.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
