The Philadelphia Flyers are going to have an interesting 2025-26 season no matter what. There are too many variables that could swing one way or the other to the most extremes, for that to not be the case. But, what are some bold predictions that we have here at Broad Street Hockey? What are some of the possibly outlandish statements that we could see happening to (or for) the Flyers this season?
We went around to several writers on staff and asked them to give us one bold prediction. So, if you vehemently disagree with one, take it up with that person.
An above-average power play
The Flyers will find themselves at season’s end in the top half of the National Hockey League when it comes to power play efficiency. The chemistry between Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov will slowly but surely give opposing coaches and penalty killing units migraines. And it may also be the catalyst that defenseman Jamie Drysdale needs to prove he belongs a Flyer for the foreseeable future. — Jason M
A Flyer is going to be a Selke Trophy finalist
My spicy prediction last year was that Travis Konecny would pace for 100 points and, for a good chunk of the season, he held up his end of the bargain; as much as I’d like to run that one back, I won’t for the sake of variety. Instead, we’ll go with this: a Flyer is going to be a Selke finalist. The smart money’s on Noah Cates, but Tyson Foerster could jump him with a monster season–though a Sean Couturier free from the shackles of John Tortorella could remind the league why he won a Selke all those years ago. — Joe
Flyers are going to make a significant add at the deadline
The Flyers clearly think that they are taking the next step in their rebuild. Prospects have been drafted, big contracts have been handed out for roster mainstays; everything is in place to just see how it goes with this group. And with that next step, there is a world where the Flyers are in contention for a playoff spot come February and the front office thinks now is the time to strike up a deal.
It wouldn’t be any boring, short-term trade, but an acquisition of a player with some term on his contract that can be a part of this team for the next few years. And I’ll go even more specific: It’s a top-four defenseman that’s under the age of 27. — Thomas
Carson Bjarnason starts at least 10 games in the NHL
Maybe the Sam Ersson breakout is finally coming, but if it isn’t, he’s going to play even less than he has the last two years, which may only have him in the low 40s in starts. Dan Vladar had a solid enough preseason, but we are talking about a guy who’s been a career back-up, and him making a leap beyond that could well be a stretch. And while everyone is saying the right things about Alexei Kolosov in Lehigh Valley this time around, would anyone be surprised if that situation gets very combustible very quickly? The 20-year-old Bjarnason seems to be penciled in as the organizational No. 4 on the goaltending depth chart, but I think the path to him getting NHL time this year is entirely reasonable, albeit not something we should exactly be hoping to see. — Kurt
Tyson Foerster scores 40 goals
The Flyers 40-goal scorer is not who you think it’s going to be. Not Matvei Michkov, not the long awaited breakout Owen Tippett season, but the emphatic Tyson Foerster offensive breakout. After a 25 goal campaign last season on a pretty miserable team, with the most miserable power play, there’s room for considerable improvement on that total. As with Tortorella, Tocchet’s going to love Foerster, and lean on him in all situations. There will be ample chances and opportunities for Foerster on the offensive end, and he’d be a pretty quick candidate to be moved up in the lineup to the top-6. It might be a little rich of a prediction, but at the very least, we’re going to see Tyson Foerster in the mid-30s of goal totals. — Cole
Nikita Grebenkin becomes a mainstay
Grebenkin’s cameo with the Maple Leafs last year was eventful, exciting, and begged for more playing time. The Leafs weren’t exactly in a developmental window, so he fell victim to the numbers game. But make no mistake, Grebenkin has an extra gear to be unlocked, and if he can find some sort of consistent NHL offense to go along with his high-energy game, the return for Scott Laughton may end up having a higher ceiling than was originally anticipated. Coach Rick Tocchet has already praised his play in the preseason, and it looks as if Grebenkin is going to get every shot to prove that he can be a valuable piece of this franchise moving forward. — Jacob
