Will the Flyers Defense be Enough?

One of the Philadelphia Flyers’ biggest needs this offseason, aside from center, was to bolster the blue line.

The organization locked up Cam York and also has Travis Sanheim locked into a long-term deal. They also added a pair of depth defenders and have some prospects who could make the team in the near future.

The Flyers have been running with Sanheim and York as their top pair.

Below the Flyers’ top pair, they have Nick Seeler, Jamie Drysdale, Rasmus Ristolainen, Egor Zamula, Emil Andrae, Noah Juulsen, and Dennis Gilbert. Prospects like Oliver Bonk and Helge Grans are knocking on the doorstep.

Despite its depth, the Flyers’ defensive core still seems insufficient.

Could the Flyers make the playoffs with their current group? Let’s break down what they have.

Top Pair Defenseman: Travis Sanheim

The Flyers, in my mind, have one true top-pair defender, and that is Travis Sanheim.

Sanheim is a minute-eating two-way blue liner that has shown the ability to play on a top pairing. If the Flyers pair him with an offensive defenseman, Sanheim can be a lockdown defender. If they pair him with a defensive defenseman, he can lean into his offensive skill.

He can absolutely be a top pair player when the Flyers are competitive again.

To me, I see Sanheim as the perfect complementary player to literally any No. 1 defenseman. Once the Flyers find that true No. 1, Sanheim’s game will significantly benefit.

High Upside Bottom Four Defensemen: Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, Oliver Bonk

Sanheim’s typical partner, Cam York, is the next player I’d want to mention.

York is a top-pair player on the current Flyers, but I don’t think he would be on a competitive team.

The young Flyers defenseman is a solid player, but he is not a top-pair defenseman. On that same note, York can be a high-end middle pair player, especially if he can get some of his swagger back under Rick Tocchet.

With Jamie Drysdale, the ceiling does not seem too much higher than a middle pair player, but an exciting one at that.

He will never be a shutdown defender, but if he can lean into his offensive defenseman role and use his elite speed to become a high-end puck mover, he will be very exciting.

Oliver Bonk is a bit of an unknown. The Flyers’ top-defensive prospect is set to join the organization this season, and a year with the Phantoms seems likely. That said, once he gets to the NHL, he looks more like a high-end middle pair player rather than a top pair defender. Of course, that could all change. But, for the time being, he looks like a high upside bottom-four defenseman.

Veterans: Rasmus Ristolainen and Nick Seeer

While the Flyers’ defensive core is relatively young, it’s rounded out with a pair of defensemen who add a bit of stability and a veteran presence.

Rasmus Ristolainen can play up and down the lineup. The big and physical Finn has been one of the Flyers’ biggest trade chips for the last two seasons, but trading him would leave a big gap. He is set to return from a tricep surgery, which SHOULD finally have him back at 100% healthy.

Getting a healthy Ristolainen would be huge for the Flyers’ blue line.

Nick Seeler is a shot blocker, a sick one at that. 405 blocked shots in the last two seasons combined is insane, but that is what he does. Seeler, like Ristolainen, can be moved up and down the lineup.

Both players bring a much-needed veteran presence to the Flyers’ defensive corps, but I don’t see either as a big-time contributor when the Flyers are competitive.

The Rest: Emil Andrae, Egor Zamula, Noah Juulsen, Dennis Gilbert, Helege Grans

This group has the broadest range of potential. I still see potential for Emil Andre and Helge Grans to be almost everyday NHLers. Zamula may make the NHL roster yet again, but I don’t see him as an everyday player this year.

As for Juulsen and Gilbert, they seemed like depth signings just to make sure the Flyers had some sort of competition. Both players have had some sort of past with Tocchet, so there is some familiarity there in case they are needed.

However, once Oliver Bonk is ready, this whole tier could be left out of the lineup.

So, Do the Flyers Have Enough on their Defense to Compete?

There are multiple ways to look at this. I do think that with what the Flyers have right now, they can make the playoffs. However, that would be more due to the offensive output. Their defensive core absolutely needs some work.

A true number 1 defenseman, preferably a left-side guy, is what the Flyers need. Once they get that, I do think the Flyers’ defensive core is enough.

However, they don’t have that right now, and it will hold them back. Lacking a proper top pair is not something contending teams do. The York, Sanheim pairing is okay, but it’s not great, and it won’t be the top line when this team is competing.

Do you think the Flyers have enough in their defensive core to compete?