The Philadelphia Flyers are poised to make a strong push for the playoffs in 2021, and their roster is a big reason why. The team has a good mix of young talent and experienced veterans, and they are led by one of the best coaches in the NHL, Alain Vigneault.
In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the Flyers’ 2021 roster. We will break down the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and we will identify the players who are most likely to make a difference this season.
Roster Overview
The Flyers’ 2021 roster features a diverse group of players from around the world. The team has a total of 23 players, including 13 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders.
The Flyers’ roster is led by several key players, including captain Claude Giroux, who is one of the most experienced and respected players in the NHL. Other key players include Sean Couturier, Jakub Voracek, and Carter Hart.
Player Statistics
The Flyers’ roster is a mix of young and experienced players. The average age of the team is 27.3 years old. The youngest player on the team is 20-year-old defenseman Ivan Provorov, while the oldest player on the team is 35-year-old forward Wayne Simmonds.
The Flyers’ roster also features a diverse group of nationalities. The team has players from Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
| Name | Position | Age | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Giroux | Forward | 33 | Canada |
| Sean Couturier | Forward | 28 | Canada |
| Jakub Voracek | Forward | 31 | Czech Republic |
| Carter Hart | Goaltender | 23 | Canada |
Forwards
The Flyers’ forward group is a mix of experience and youth. They have some skilled players who can score goals, but they also have some defensive liabilities. The top scorers on the team are [Player 1], [Player 2], and [Player 3]. The top playmakers are [Player 4] and [Player 5].
Top 5 Forwards
| Rank | Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| 1 | [Player 1] | 30 | 25 | 55 |
| 2 | [Player 2] | 25 | 30 | 55 |
| 3 | [Player 3] | 20 | 25 | 45 |
| 4 | [Player 4] | 15 | 30 | 45 |
| 5 | [Player 5] | 10 | 25 | 35 |
Defensemen
The Flyers’ defensemen are a solid unit with a good mix of experience and youth. The top pairing of Ivan Provorov and Ryan Ellis is one of the best in the league, and they are ably supported by Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Justin Braun. The Flyers’ defensemen are strong puck-movers and they are also effective on the penalty kill.
Puck-Moving Abilities
The Flyers’ defensemen are some of the best puck-movers in the league. Provorov and Ellis are both excellent skaters and they can both make quick, accurate passes. Sanheim is also a good skater and he has a hard shot. Ristolainen is a physical presence and he can move the puck well for his size. Braun is a veteran defenseman who is known for his smart play.
Penalty Kill Effectiveness
The Flyers’ penalty kill is one of the best in the league. They have a good system and they are able to block shots and clear the puck effectively. Provorov and Ellis are both excellent penalty killers, and they are ably supported by Sanheim, Ristolainen, and Braun.
Goaltenders
The Flyers’ goaltending situation has been a source of concern for the team in recent years. Carter Hart, who was once considered one of the top young goaltenders in the NHL, has struggled to find consistency, while Brian Elliott has been a solid but unspectacular backup.
As a result, the Flyers have had one of the worst save percentages and goals-against averages in the league. In the 2020-21 season, the Flyers had a save percentage of .892 and a goals-against average of 3.38, which ranked 29th and 30th in the NHL, respectively.
Top 2 Goaltenders Stats
The following table compares the stats of the Flyers’ top two goaltenders in the 2020-21 season:
| Goaltender | GP | GAA | SV% |
|—|—|—|—|
| Carter Hart | 31 | 3.67 | .892 |
| Brian Elliott | 24 | 3.11 | .902 |
Special Teams
The Flyers’ special teams units have been a mixed bag in recent years. The power play has been one of the worst in the league, while the penalty kill has been one of the best.
In 2020-21, the Flyers’ power play converted at a rate of just 15.5%, which was 29th in the NHL. The Flyers struggled to generate chances on the power play, and they often failed to capitalize on the opportunities they did create.
The Flyers’ penalty kill, on the other hand, was one of the best in the league in 2020-21. The Flyers killed off 84.2% of their penalties, which was sixth in the NHL. The Flyers’ penalty kill was able to generate turnovers and create short-handed chances, and they were also able to block shots and clear the puck effectively.
Power Play
The Flyers’ power play has struggled in recent years. The Flyers have not had a top-10 power play since the 2010-11 season. The Flyers’ power play has been plagued by a lack of creativity and a lack of execution. The Flyers have not been able to generate enough scoring chances on the power play, and they have not been able to capitalize on the chances they do create.
The Flyers need to improve their power play if they want to be a contender in the playoffs. The Flyers need to be able to generate more scoring chances on the power play, and they need to be able to capitalize on the chances they do create.
Penalty Kill
The Flyers’ penalty kill has been one of the best in the league in recent years. The Flyers have had a top-10 penalty kill in each of the past three seasons. The Flyers’ penalty kill has been able to generate turnovers and create short-handed chances, and they have also been able to block shots and clear the puck effectively.
The Flyers need to continue to improve their penalty kill if they want to be a contender in the playoffs. The Flyers need to be able to kill off penalties at a high rate, and they need to be able to generate short-handed chances.
Coaching Staff
The Flyers’ coaching staff is led by head coach Alain Vigneault, who is assisted by Michel Therrien, Mike Yeo, and Ian Laperriere.
Vigneault is a veteran coach with over 1,200 games of NHL experience. He is known for his defensive-minded style of play, which has helped the Flyers to be one of the top defensive teams in the league.
Assistant Coaches
- Michel Therrien: Therrien is a former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins. He is known for his fiery personality and his ability to motivate players.
- Mike Yeo: Yeo is a former head coach of the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. He is known for his offensive-minded style of play.
- Ian Laperriere: Laperriere is a former Flyers player who has been with the team since 2014. He is known for his work with the team’s penalty kill.
Q&A
Who are the Flyers’ top scorers?
The Flyers’ top scorers in 2020-21 were Claude Giroux (43 points), Sean Couturier (33 points), and Travis Konecny (24 points).
Who are the Flyers’ top defensemen?
The Flyers’ top defensemen in 2020-21 were Ivan Provorov (26 points), Travis Sanheim (24 points), and Shayne Gostisbehere (23 points).
Who is the Flyers’ starting goaltender?
The Flyers’ starting goaltender in 2020-21 was Carter Hart.