The Flyers’ start to the season has been … interesting.
After a franchise-record nine-game winless streak out of the gate, they have won three of four games. There’s a lot to talk about through 13 games, so let’s open up the mailbag for the first time this season.
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Q: Does Oliver Bonk stay in the NHL or get sent back to (Lehigh Valley) when Ristolainen or York are ready to play? — Leigh (@flyersfan1953) on X
A: After the Flyers game in Detroit on Oct. 15, I tweeted that Oliver Bonk should never play another game in the American Hockey League. I stand by that based on what we’ve seen from the young defenseman since. It doesn’t sound like he’s going anywhere based on what coach Rick Tocchet said on Friday after he was asked about Bonk’s status once top-four defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen and Cam York return.
“Obviously, he’s not going to be playing 22 minutes. We’ve got York and Risto coming back, so it’ll actually kind of slot people in where they’re supposed to be,” Tocchet said. “[It] gives [assistant coach Todd Reirden] a little bit more flexibility. He’s been pretty heavy on [Travis Sanheim] and Bonker. So yeah, it’s a good thing now, especially Risto [coming back], a big-minute guy, but Bonker’s going to get his time too. He’s played well for us.”
Ristolainen returned to the lineup on Saturday, and Bonk was still paired, for the most part, with Sanheim on the top pair. Wherever he lands, it shouldn’t be in the press box. According to Natural Stat Trick, Bonk has the best on-ice Corsi for percentage (51.35%) and expected goals for percentage (55.46%) among Flyers defensemen who have played in at least seven games.
Another reader, @afern_alex, asked a similar question on X, including Cole Knuble. It feels like, when veteran forwards Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett return, Knuble could be sent down due to the numbers game. Although it’s been a good start and he brings a lot of energy, it’s only been three games, and his spot seems less solid.
Q: The need for a 1C and a 1st pairing D man is still there. Jackie, what is your sense and what are you hearing? — billyphilly75 on Inquirer.com
A: If a young player who fits the Flyers timeline and needs becomes available, just know management is checking in. So, yes, they’ve checked in on top-line centers and top-pair defensemen. The problem is it always takes two to tango, and while the Flyers asked about, for example, Matty Beniers, as The Inquirer has previously reported, it doesn’t mean the Seattle Kraken are open to moving the young pivot.
With a projected cap space of $24 million next season, and needing to sign pending restricted free agent Matvei Michkov at the NHL level, not to mention a potential extension for Porter Martone when he becomes eligible on July 1, the Flyers still have some wiggle room to try and reel in a relatively young and promising top-two center. Some names to keep an eye on are Barrett Hayton, 26, and Pavel Zacha, 29, both of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
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Q: Will Edvinsson be a Flyer soon? — Matt Graver (@GraverMatt) on X
A: The general feeling is that anything involving Simon Edvinsson, aside from re-signing with Detroit, needs to wait until Dylan Larkin has been moved. And it felt that Larkin could only be moved once Connor Hellebuyck found a new spot. That first domino fell on Friday. Time is ticking for Edvinsson, however, as a contract must be signed by 5 p.m. on Dec. 1 for him to play this season.
Edvinsson’s style is akin to Sanheim’s as a blueliner, and while there is no need to find the heir apparent to the 30-year-old in his prime, Edvinsson would complement Sanheim well on the second pair. He is just 23 years old and can skate at 6-foot-6 on a top pair. The big question is, do the Flyers need another lefty? If they make the move, you’d have to think one would go back the other way.
Q: What’s the solution to the logjam of wingers, especially with the need to keep some younger guys up and getting time? — Alex Armstrong (@ArmstrongAlex) on X
A: The only solution to the logjam in the present, once Tippett and Konecny are healthy, is to, unfortunately, send guys like Alex Bump and Knuble down to the minors. They are waiver-exempt and make for easier transactions. Does that mean that is the correct choice? Debatable. A trade would also open up some space, but the move has to work in the Flyers’ favor too.
But moving some guys is not as easy as a snap of the fingers. Konecny has a no-movement clause, so he would have to approve any trade, and Tippett has a 10-team no-trade list. Andas mentioned several times, Michkov and Martone are all but untouchable.
Q: Your thoughts on trade options for Tippett and York, and a possible return?
A: Trading someone like Tippett opens the question of who will fill that spot. The Flyers really don’t have anyone in the organization who brings his combination of speed and physicality. Having said that, he does have elements that other teams want and could be a key piece in a trade; however, remember: He does have a 10-team list of teams he cannot be traded to. York does not have any trade protections, and once he is healthy, it would be surprising if teams are calling for the middle-pair defenseman. The question is whether the Flyers can package him for that coveted 1C or 1D everyone says they need.