The Flyers Youth is Leading the Push for a Playoff Spot

Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesKyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia Flyers got what felt like two major trade acquisitions in late-March and early-April. Porter Martone joined the team after his season at Michigan State ended, and Tyson Foerster made his surprise return from injury on April 2nd.

With the postseason push in full effect, the Flyers were able to add two big bodies to the lineup. Both players bring high hockey IQ’s and are dynamic offensive players, just in different ways. It brought a massive boost to the Flyers’ lineup at a much-needed time.

When Foerster, 24, went down with an injury on December 1st, it left the Flyers without that lethal shoot-first forward. Foerster has the shooter mentality, but his shot is also very dangerous. It’s something the Flyers have missed both at 5-on-5, but also on the power play. He has 3 goals in his 5 games since his return.

The addition of Martone has been big for the Flyers as well. Martone has played 6 NHL games so far, and has 2 goals and 6 total points. He has been an impact player from the jump for the Flyers. The 19-year-old Michigan State product has been a focus of attention on the ice. He has not missed a step yet.

Both players have made an impact on the ice and in scoring. However, the addition of both players also had a significant impact on the lineup. It has created a forward core that might just be the best the Flyers have had since the bubble.

That’s because Martone and Foerster aren’t the only 25-year-old or younger Flyers making big contributions at the right time.

Read More: Scoreboard Watching: Must-Win Game for Flyers for a Chance to Punch their Ticket on Sunday

Trevor Zegras has quietly led the Flyers over the last 10 games

The additions of Foerster and Martone have caught the attention of many recently when it comes to the Flyers. That has sort of taken the attention off a guy like Trevor Zegras, who has quietly been dominating during this critical stretch of games for the Flyers.

In the first five years of his NHL career in Anaheim, Zegras never really played in games that carry as much weight as the recent stretch. Zegras mentioned that after the win against the Devils on Tuesday.“I haven’t played any games, other than this season, of this magnitude. And I think a lot of the other guys would say the same,” said Zegras. “It’s been great.”

Zegras said despite that lack of big-game experience, he and the team are settling in. “It feels like almost for like a month now, we’ve been playing must-win games. So definitely getting more comfortable and definitely selling a little bit.”

He is not kidding.

Over the last 10 games, Zegras has been leading the Flyers with his 11 points (3G, 8A). Since being put between Foerster and Owen Tippett on April 2nd, Zegras has 6 of his 11 points and 2 of his 3 goals.

This is a big moment for the Flyers, and Zegras has stepped up in a major way.

Matvei Michkov returning to form

It has been an up-and-down season for Matvei Michkov. From starting the season behind the 8-ball after an offseason injury to playing and adjusting to his off-wing, it has been a sophomore slump for the player who had a 26-goal, 63-point rookie season.

No, he has not found that high-end scoring touch that he had in his rookie campaign, but Michkov has been an amazing playmaker for the Flyers. Over the last 10 games, Michkov is 4th on the team in points with 8. 7 of them are assists.

Like Zegras, this production from Michkov has flown relatively under the radar. A good portion, 3 of Michkov’s 8 points, came from his 3-point night on Long Island, where he scored a goal and had two assists. Still, Michkov has improved his play along the boards, which has led to key passes and assists.

Sure, Michkov is still making mistakes, some of which are costly, like the penalty he took in the first period against Detroit. However, it should not silence how well he has been playing. Because let’s be honest, if the Flyers are going to make the playoffs, they need Michkov at his best.

Barkey and Bump are playing their role

The Flyers called up two players who are about a year removed from the last step before turning pro. Both Denver Barkey and Alex Bump started the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Neither player had any real expectations to become steady players in the Flyers’ lineup.

Well, after Foerster’s injury, Barkey, 20, got the first call-up, and gave the Flyers no choice but to keep him around with his play. Bump, 22, got the call following the Bobby Brink trade at the deadline.

Both players have exceeded early expectations, but have now found themselves in a rotation after the additions of Foerster and Martone. Still, both players are playing their roles and doing it well.

Over the last 10 games, both players have identical stat lines. They’ve each dressed in 8 games, and have 2 goals and 4 total points. Another part of the Flyers’ youth movement just does not look fazed under the bright lights. This is a big moment for the Flyers as they’re looking to avoid a franchise-worst 6th-straight missed postseason. Barkey and Bump still look like they belong, even in the high-pressure situations.

Flyers’ young blueliners stepping up

The Flyers’ blueline is young as well. They have three defenseman 25 or younger, and two that are 24. Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae, the two 24-year-olds, have been playing some of their best hockey of the season.

Both players were tabbed as offensive defensemen with no real defensive responsibility before the season started. While I would not go so far as to call them two-way defensemen, both players have developed into defensemen who are not liabilities in the defensive zone.

Drysdale has grown into one of the Flyers’ best players at the blueline, making his impact offensively, but also playing a more rounded defensive game. He has stepped up big time for the Flyers. He has a goal and 5 total points over the last 10 games, and has stepped up as a puckmover, something the Flyers still need.

Emil Andrae has been one of the team’s best stretch passers as of late, if not all season. He has only played in 8 games during the last 10-game stretch due to a rotation with Noah Juulsen. He has no points over those games. The thing that I admire most about Andrae’s game recently is how much bigger he plays than his size.

At 5’9″, you would not expect much physicality from Andrae. Despite that, he still plays a very strong game, can take contact, and is not afraid to give it back. Andre’s tenacity helps him thrive. The Flyers’ lineup is better with him in it.

Flyers veterans still getting it done, but they need more

This is not to say that the Flyers’ veteran core has disappeared.

Using that same 10-game timespan, Christian Dvorak and Owen Tippett lead the team with 4 goals. Sean Couturier, who has 3 goals and 4 points, has looked very strong in his 4th-line role. Travis Konecny still has 7 points with 2 goals.

The Flyers are getting it done up and down the lineup.

This time of year, it’s important that the younger players lean on the veteran players. To the point Zegras made after the win over the Devils, many of the Flyers’ young core have never played in games of this magnitude, not at the NHL level.

With three games to go in the season, the Flyers need more out of their leaders. The efforts from the veteran players that have helped them to this point should not go unrecognized. Without the push from guys like Konecny, Tippett, and Dan Vladar, the Flyers may not be in this position.

Still, the Flyers need more from the guys who have been here before. Can they get that on Saturday against the Jets?

Read More: Flyers Game 80: Lines, Notes, & How to Watch @ Jets

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