Flyers should embrace youth movement on defense
The Philadelphia Flyers have an embarrassment of riches on the defensive line. With so many young players fighting for playing time, the team needs to embrace that and start giving them time over some veterans.
The Philadelphia Flyers record doesn’t necessarily show it, but the team has been impressive so far this season. A 5-4-0 record gives the Flyers enough points to be in the middle of the pack in the Metropolitan Division, in fifth place. There have been good moments along with bad ones so far, but that is to be expected when dealing with a younger team. Right now, many of these young players are stepping up on both offense and defense.
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There are only six defensemen active during a game, and the Flyers defensive core is mainly made up of young up and comers. Both Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere have proven to be franchise cornerstones on the blue line, and Radko Gudas is entrenched in the lineup as the teams lovable bully. Three spots remain open in the lineup, which is where the rookies need to come in and play. Neither Andrew MacDonald nor Brandon Manning bring anything to the table that this group of young players doesn’t bring, and in MacDonald’s case, he has spent enough time bringing down Provorov as his line mate.
The first player that has received playing time right out of the gate has been Robert Hagg. The top prospect isn’t talked about much, but he brings a sense of stability that is seen in veterans, and yet this is his first taste of NHL play. A second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Hagg has had big expectations from day one. Giving him playing time to get accustomed to the North American style of play allows him to gain confidence while also not having to be relied on as one of the top defenders on the team. Right now Hagg fits well on the second or third line.
Another top prospect drafted by Philadelphia waiting for his moment has been Travis Sanheim. Drafted in the first round a year after Hagg, Sanheim has been used this year as the Flyers seventh defenseman, a healthy scratch on most nights. An injury to MacDonald has opened up a spot for Sanheim, and he hasn’t disappointed. Using Sanheim instead of an older veteran gives some of the other younger defensemen a boost, as he is quick with or without the puck leading to a faster pace more conducive to a younger players style.
The player most talked about, yet has received the least amount of time in the NHL, has been Sam Morin. Drafted in the same year as Hagg, Morin was the Flyers first-round pick in 2013. Morin is the biggest of the three top prospects, standing at a whopping 6 feet 7 inches tall, and weighing 221 pounds. The Flyers need that type of body in the lineup, especially since Morin uses all of that large frame in his very physical style of play. There is nothing left to prove for Morin in the minors, now a spot needs to open up for him in the NHL.
There is no reason why these three young studs shouldn’t be playing meaningful minutes in the NHL. The Flyers would be taking replacement level players out of the lineup to insert younger players who could very well be key pieces for this year and the future.
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By giving Hagg, Sanheim, and Morin roles in the lineup, a group of young players will develop all together into a three-headed monster. Defense wins championships, and with an already solid core of Provorov and Gostisbehere, the Flyers’ defense is looking stacked for years to come.