The disappointing 2021-22 season is finally over for the Flyers, and boy, was it ugly.
This was a team that many picked to be in the playoffs during the preseason. Instead, the Flyers finished with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and fourth-worst record in the league.
Injuries plagued Philadelphia's season, as notable offseason acquisition Ryan Ellis played in just four games for the team as a result of a hip/groin injury, Sean Couturier skated in just 29 contests as he dealt with a variety of injuries and ultimately cut his season short due to back surgery, and Kevin Hayes saw action in 45 games thanks to a core ailment.
But it wasn't just the heath, as there were plenty of other underperforming players who contributed to the Flyers' failures. To end the season, the team finished second-to-last in goals per game (2.56) and 27th in goals allowed per game (3.54), in addition to owning the worst power play.
There are a number of questions for the Flyers, including a vacancy at head coach, and the prospect of a change in general manager. The answers are unknown at this time, but change needs to come in the City of Brotherly Love in order for this organization to get back on track.
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All salaries are from Spotrac.
Flyers upcoming free agents
The Flyers already addressed their biggest free agents before the season was over. Sean Couturier and Joel Farabee were signed to extensions before the season, Rasmus Ristolainen was extended during the year, and Claude Giroux was moved at the deadline.
Now, the main focus will be signing RFAs Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett to new deals.
| Unrestricted free agents | Restricted free agents |
| Nate Thompson | Morgan Frost |
| Martin Jones | Owen Tippett |
| Keith Yandle | Zack MacEwen |
| Nick Seeler | Linus Hogberg |
| Kevin Connauton | Samuel Morin |
| Felix Sandstrom |
Flyers future salaries, roster
The Flyers have a lot of money already handed out over the next few seasons.
Notably, Philadelphia has two expensive extensions kicking in next season with Couturier and Farabee's new contracts going into effect. Couturier's AAV jumps from $4.33 million to $7.75 million, while Farabee goes up from $925,000 to $5 million.
| Player | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 |
| Sean Couturier | $7.75 million | $7.75 million | $7.75 million |
| Kevin Hayes | $7.142 million | $7.142 million | $7.142 million |
| James van Riemsdyk | $7 million | UFA | - |
| Ivan Provorov | $6.75 million | $6.75 million | $6.75 million |
| Ryan Ellis | $6.25 million | $6.25 million | $6.25 million |
| Cam Atkinson | $5.875 million | $5.875 million | $5.875 million |
| Travis Konecny | $5.5 million | $5.5 million | $5.5 million |
| Rasmus Ristolainen | $5.1 million | $5.1 million | $5.1 million |
| Joel Farabee | $5 million | $5 million | $5 million |
| Travis Sanheim | $4.675 million | UFA | - |
| Carter Hart | $3.979 million | $3.979 million | RFA |
| Scott Laughton | $3 million | $3 million | $3 million |
| Oskar Lindblom | $3 million | RFA | - |
| Bobby Brink | $925,000 | $925,000 | RFA |
| Cam York | $880,833 | RFA | - |
| Yegor Zamula | $756,667 | RFA | - |
| Patrick Brown | $750,000 | UFA | - |
| Casey Fitzgerald | $750,000 | RFA | - |
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Flyers 2022 NHL Draft picks
Philadelphia heads into the summer with seven picks in the upcoming NHL draft.
The positive of having such a horrid season? Their first-round pick is going to be in the top five. That gives them the opportunity to grab a talented player who could make an impact a lot sooner.
Looking at the draft, the Flyers could end up having a choice between top prospects like Joakim Kemell, Matthew Savoie, David Jiricek, or Danila Yurov.
Philadelphia also owns a third-round pick, two fourths, and selections in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. Philadelphia traded its second-round pick to the Coyotes in the Shayne Gostisbehere deal.
MORE: NHL Mock Draft 2022 2.0: Canadiens take Shane Wright with No. 1 pick
One burning question
Should the Flyers fire GM Chuck Fletcher?
The Flyers fired coach Alain Vigneault partway through the 2021-22 season, promoting Mike Yeo to interim head coach. Now, a new bench boss will need to be hired this summer.
It's not unusual to have both a coaching and GM chance in the NHL so will Fletcher's job be open, as well? Not a lot of the moves that Fletcher has made have gone right for the Flyers, one of which was bringing in Vigneault, who lasted less than three seasons in Philadelphia after posting a record of 74-54-19 and no postseason series wins.
Fletcher also was responsible for not just the trade of Ristolainen, but also the five-year extension that raised some eyebrows. He brought in Keith Yandle to the blue line, who was one of the worst defensemen in the league this season. There also was the trade for Martin Jones, who finished the year with a record of 12-18-3, a GAA of 3.43 and a SV percentage of .900.
The Flyers have made the playoffs once under Fletcher, failing to win a playoff series in their lone run. Is Fletcher really the guy to build a contending team for Philadelphia?
