2023-24 Flyers season preview: Rhett Gardner

Rhett Gardner is a 27 year-old center who was signed this past offseason by the Flyers, after playing his last four years in the Dallas organization with most of his playing time coming for their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. He was drafted by the Stars in the 4th round of the 2016 NHL draft after spending four years at the University of North Dakota, playing alongside names like Brock Boeser, Troy Stetcher, and a host of other NHL talent.

Through 40 career NHL games, Gardner has amassed just two points, primarily being deployed as a defense-first forward who sees some brief time on the penalty kill. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, Gardner is a heavy player and not exactly someone an opposing defenseman are thrilled to see bearing down on them in the corner. He isn\'t exactly an enforcer, but his sheer size allows him to throw his weight around and be an irritant when he wants to.

2022-23 Rundown

Games Played Goals Assists Points 5v5 CF% 5v5 xGF% 71 (in AHL) 10 30 40 N/A N/A stats via Elite Prospects

What did we see from Gardner last season?

Gardner played exclusively with Dallas\' AHL affiliate last season, playing 71 games and tallying 40 points playing a large role on the playoff-bound Texas Stars.

He had a very productive playoff stint as well, with 4 goals and 8 points in 8 games throughout his team\'s brief playoff run.

This was the first time in Gardner\'s four years with the Stars\' organization where he did not get called up to the NHL level at some point throughout the season.

What type of role do we expect Gardner to play this season?

The Flyers signed Gardner to a two-year, two-way deal on July 1st, primarily as some camp depth, and to have a player with NHL experience waiting in the wings who has the ability to play on the wing and through the middle. At this moment he is technically on the Flyers roster, but there is a good chance he starts the season in Lehigh Valley playing a large role with the Phantoms, similarly to the one he played in Texas.

If Gardner does play in the NHL, it will exclusively be as a depth forward who can provide a bit of grit, along with some very sound defensive responsibility. He is not one for flashy plays or overwhelming puck skills, but he will work hard and try to play his role at the best of his ability.

What would make for a successful season for Gardner?

A successful season from Gardner would see him having an impressive training camp where he is able to supplant someone in the Flyers bottom-six. But given that he is on a new team and left the organization that drafted him, he will be in tough to beat out some of the younger prospects that the Flyers will be looking to graduate from the AHL to the big club. Names like Olle Lycksell, Bobby Brink, and Elliot Desnoyers are all going to be competition for Gardner and all three have exhibited more offensive skill at the minor-league level. If Gardner wants to make the team it will be off of his work ethic and attention to detail, but in reality, if he sticks at the NHL level for more than 10 games, I think that would be a very positive outcome.

Talking Points