Bruce Springsteen made headlines in mid-May showing his disgust with the current American administration during sold-out European shows. He also just released a live Land of Hope and Dreams EP (culled from this 2025 tour of the same name) which includes those statements. With that spotlight, and with a Tracks II: The Lost Albums boxset (with 74 previously unreleased songs) set for release on the first day of the 2025 NHL Draft (June 27), it’s only fitting we at Broad Street Hockey try finding a song title from “The Boss” best describing each Flyer on the roster. Here then, in no particular order, is the song that we think epitomizes each current Philadelphia Flyer.
1) Nick Seeler — “Tougher Than The Rest” (from Tunnel of Love)
Blocking shots, and often swearing from the pain of frozen rubber on arms and legs, Nick Seeler would be best served with this deep cut from Springsteeen’s Tunnel of Love album. Yet despite all the blocked shots, Seeler has rarely been out of the lineup for extended periods of time. A no-nonsense gem of a song for a no-nonsense kind of blueliner.
2) Garnet Hathaway — “Wrecking Ball” (from Wrecking Ball)
Although the song mentions the demolition of Giants Stadium back in 2009 (and a song Springsteen wrote for two stadium dates in the Meadowlands), Garnet Hathaway and the phrase “wrecking ball” go hand in hand. Hathaway loves mixing it up and stirring the pot, so this track seems to hit the nail on the head.
Springsteen also reworked “Wrecking Ball” to pay tribute to the closing of the Spectrum in Philadelphia, changing the lyrics to pay tribute to the former Flyers venue. Here it is:
3) Matvei Michkov — “I’m On Fire” (from Born In The USA)
He lit up the league (despite not getting a Calder nomination) for a good chunk of the season. And Matvei Michkov hopes to be red hot to start next season under new head coach Rick Tocchet. Michkov wasn’t happy with his rookie season. That bodes well for fans and followers believing he is going to take the next step during what is often a difficult sophomore season for most. He’s got a bad desire…to win. That’s a good thing.
4) Ivan Fedotov — “Land Of Hope And Dreams” (from Live In New York City)
A few years ago, Ivan Fedotov was heading to America to begin his professional hockey career. Then he was arrested for evading military service in Russia, and forced to serve in a remote region near the Artic Circle. Then the International Ice Hockey Federation sanctioned him from international competition. Needless to say, it was a step or two back from the City of Brotherly Love. But after serving, and finally relocating from Russia to the Flyers, Fedotov started his NHL career almost a decade after being drafted. A feel good story despite the fact Fedotov hasn’t been very good so far. Still, it’s a dream Fedotov made a reality, regardless of how long or how well it plays out.
5) Owen Tippett — “Your Own Worst Enemy” (from Magic)
Owen Tippett’s first year of an eight-year, $50 million deal wasn’t ideal. Many looking on saw the problem as simple: a sniper needs to shoot the puck. And Tippett for some reason shot a lot less this season. When he was made aware of it after the season, he seemed surprise. Which is not a good look. Clearly Tippett has to score more to make the Flyers better and ensure the Tippett deal a good one. Because, to take a line from the song, “now no one’s very sure.”
6) Nic Deslauriers — “The Hitter” (from Devils & Dust)
A tale of the life of the fighter is apt for Deslauriers. The enforcer saw a lot less action this past season but can still drop the gloves if needed. And the closing lyrics seem to fit perfectly when it comes to squaring up and trying to hurt your opponent before he hurts you. “I study him for the cuts, the scars, the pain/Man, nor time can erase/I move hard to the left and I strike to the face,” Springsteen sings.
7) Sam Ersson — “Waitin’ On A Sunny Day” (from The Rising)
Ersson, like every other Flyer goaltender, wasn’t great last year. But he’s young and should still have hope he can turn it around. So what better tune than this one filled with hope and the glass being more than half full (“Goin’ chase the clouds aways/Waitin’ on a sunny day”). Although it’s doubtful Ersson would be as cute as this little Norweigan girl helping Springsteen out in 2016.
8) Jamie Drysdale — “Prove It All Night” (from Darkness on the Edge of Town)
After landing with the Flyers in January 2024, Jamie Drysdale is still finding his footing with Philadelphia’s blueline. Being healthy for most of 2024-25 certainly was a step in the right direction, yet he still has some growing pains and lapses that need to be worked on entering his second full season as a Flyer. Hopefully his play this coming year will be as consistent as his health was last season. So, in short, he needs to, well, you know…..
9) Sean Couturier — “If I Should Fall Behind” (from Lucky Town)
Couturier is out of the doghouse with John Tortorella gone. The healthy scratches, head games and general needless controversy should be in the rearview mirror. The captain will be another year older this season, and maybe a 1/4 step to 1/2 step slower going up and down the ice. Hopefully he doesn’t look slow and lost. But if he does, a winger like Matvei Michkov, who tends to slow the game down at times to his level, should help him greatly.
10) Rasmus Ristolainen — “Sad Eyes” (from Tracks)
Ristolainen was playing very solid this year, but then the injury bug flared up. And any idea of possibly shipping him out for a draft pick went out the window. The defenseman is now battling the same injury he dealt with last summer. And will be out of the lineup for a while it sounds like. So, it should come as a surprise that Ristolainen might be a bit down in the dumps. If any of the young defensemen shine at training camp, it might make Ristolainen’s return even more difficult. Throw in the recent speculation the Leafs offered a haul for him at the deadline and it’s not just Rasmus who has sad eyes.
11) Jett Luchanko — “The New Timer” (from The Ghost of Tom Joad)
Lyrically this song deals with riding the rails and surviving however one could during the Great Depression. But for a title, it seems to fit Jett Luchanko to a tee. He’s the new kid on the block, and hopes to put in a strong rookie season (we hope) for Philadelphia starting in October.
12) Cam York — “My Best Was Never Good Enough” (from The Ghost of Tom Joad)
If there’s a Flyer who epitomized a Springsteen song more this year, I can’t think of one. Cam York had a target on him thanks to Tortorella. Ultimately the cracks led to an alleged dispute that led to Tortorella being fired. Besides, York’s time with Tortorella wasn’t great from the start, beginning with being sent down to Lehigh Valley in Tortorella’s first year. York tried but couldn’t make it work or change the coach’s mind. Hence….”The sun don’t shine on a sleepin dogs ass/And all the rest of that stuff/But for you my best was never good enough.”
13) Aleksei Kolosov — “Brilliant Disguise” (from Tunnel of Love)
Not bashing Kolosov, but the goaltender didn’t put himself in the best light. After being in North America, and then not enjoying his initial stay, Kolosov played less than half a season between the Flyers and Lehigh Valley. Nobody could make heads or tails as to why. Kolosov the promising KHL goalie has turned into a huge enigma with no upside yet. So far he’s fooled the Flyers with what little he’s delivered.
14) Bobby Brink — “Better Days” (from Lucky Town)
Brink proved himself with a fine season, one that saw him turn into one of the wingers on the team’s most consistent, hard-working, play-driving lines. This despite looking, to quote Tortorella, that he didn’t know “how to spell check” let alone actually throw the body in the corner. But he did just that, determined to win the puck in one-on-one battles and taking hits to make the plays. This coming year sees a bit more offensive production from Brink this writer predicts, who was one of the brighter spots in 2024-25.
15) Travis Konecny — “Glory Days” (from Born In The USA)
A spot on Team Canada during the Four Nations Face-Off, a spot on Team Canada during the World Hockey Championships, and a possible spot on Canada’s Olympic team looms for Travis Konecny. Konecny looked to be a lock for 35 or 40 goals but fell off in the latter half. He did have career highs in assists and points. Now with a new contract kicking in for $8.75 million a year on the cap, the world is his oyster. There’s a few things missing still, yet things are looking good for him now!
16) Noah Cates — “Reason To Believe” (from Nebraska)
Noah Cates was a revelation, from trying to finagle his way into the lineup to becoming the Flyers most dependable centerman. Cates’ play should instill some confidence in him while also giving his teammates and the front office some cause to smile. If Cates can play this style while also maybe getting 20 goals a season, Philadelphia will have proof they have something in Cates few expected just a year ago. And that’s a very good thing!
17) Travis Sanheim — “The Ties That Bind” (from The River)
Sanheim was a Torey Krug decision away from being with St. Louis now. But what a saving grace that nixed trade was, as Sanheim has established himself as one of the better defenders in the Eastern Conference if not the league. A spot on Canada’s Four Nations Face-Off roster was well-earned. With his play, and the amount of minutes he eats up game in and game out, it would take a hell of a player to get Sanheim out of Philadelphia (yes, I know he has a No Trade Clause the next two seasons, and a modified NTC following that). He’s going to be here for a while, which is a huge boost for the Flyers.
18) Ryan Poehling — “Racing in the Street” (from Darkness on the Edge of Town)
The man has wheels, one of the fastest skaters in the league. Pretty self-explanatory.
19) Tyson Foerster — “My Beautiful Reward” (from Lucky Town)
Foerster had consecutive 20-goal seasons, despite needing to go on a tear to end the season and hitting 25 to end the season. Foerster might get a decent payday this summer if he and the Flyers can agree on an extension with some coin and term. Otherwise it’s probably a bridge contract to see if Foerster is worth making an investment in down the road.
20) Jakob Pelletier — “Roll Of The Dice” (from Human Touch)
Acquired in the Calgary deal that sent Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee out of town, Jakob Pelletier should be in the mix for a bottom six spot when September rolls around. With Andrei Kuzmenko shipped out quickly after the deal to Los Angeles, Pelletier remains the only piece of that deal (as well as the pick) that might pan out. He could also lose his spot if some rookies and prospects dazzle in training camp. Nothing is guaranteed to Pelletier so it’s almost left to chance.
21) Emil Andrae — “Streets of Philadelphia” (from Philadelphia: Music From The Motion Picture)
Having played 42 games with the Flyers, one gets the idea Emil Andrae would love to pound the streets of the NHL club he plays for. Andrae looked okay during Lehigh Valley’s playoff run. At times he looked fine in Philadelphia. He needs to ensure his play is worthy of the big club over an 82-game stretch. So far it hasn’t happened.
22) Egor Zamula — “Jungleland” (From Born To Run)
Egor Zamula was in no man’s land sometimes. He was Michkov’s interpreter which seemed to cause more problems for him. That ended after a little while. Zamula then found himself on the third pairing, sometimes seeing his spot lost to Erik Johnson, Andrae and others. Yet he played 63 games this year. Still, with the crop of younger, and possibly more highly-skilled than him, Zamula might be fighting for a spot next year. It’s a jungle out there sometimes for borderline blueliners.
