IMPROVING EVEN STRENGTH PERFORMANCE
Over the course of the 2014-15 season, former Flyers coach Craig Berube often said that he felt his team was heading in the right direction in its even strength play. The bottom-line numbers suggest he was partially correct. One of the biggest challenges facing new coach Dave Hakstol will be to continue the reduction of even strength goals against but also to get the even strength goals scored moving back in a positive direction.
Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers ranked 21st in the NHL with 212 goals scored; a dropoff of 21 goals and 13 spots in the league rankings. Much of the scoring drop-off came during 5-on-5 play but the team actually had a better goal differential at even strength in 2014-15 than it did the previous year when the Flyers reached the playoffs.
In 2013-14, the Flyers scored 151 goals with both teams skating at full strength (15th in the NHL) and yielded 157 (10th in the NHL). Last year, Philly notched 138 goals at 5-on-5 (25th in the NHL) and yielded 137 (9th in the NHL).
Unfortunately for the Flyers, the team's penalty killing efficiency dropped precipitously from 2013-14 (48 PPGA, 8 SHG, 84.8% PK, ranked 7th in the NHL) to 2014-15 (61 PPGA, 3 SHG, 77.1% PK, ranked 27th in the NHL). More than anything else, the PK problems were what sank the Flyers' fortunes, especially on the road.
The Flyers even-strength goal-scoring leader last season was Michael Raffl, who notched 18 of his 21 goals (two power play, one shorthanded) at even strength. He was followed by Wayne Simmonds (14 ESG, 14 PPG), Sean Couturier (13 ESG, 1 PPG, 1 ESG), Jakub Voracek (11 ESG (nine at 5-on-5), 11 PPG), Claude Giroux (11 ESG (nine at 5-on-5), 14 PPG), Brayden Schenn (11 ESG (10 at 5-on-5), 7 PPG), Chris VandeVelde (9 ESG), Michael Del Zotto (8 ESG, 1 PPG, 1 SHG), R.J. Umberger (7 ESG, 2 PPG), Vincent Lecavalier (7 ESG, 1 PPG), Matt Read (6 ESG, 2 PPG), Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (6 ESG), Mark Streit (5 ESG, 4 PPG) and since-traded defenseman Nicklas Grossmann (5 ESG).
In terms of overall production at even strength, Voracek's 48 even-strength points topped the team in 2014-15, and his 46 points at 5-on-5 were tied for 21st in the NHL. Giroux was second on the club with 36 total even strength points, and ranked tied for 95th in the NHL with 34 points at 5-on-5.
In order for the Flyers collectively to improve their even-strength scoring differential in 2015-16, they will have to start by getting better puck possession: breakouts that do not require multiple attempts, consistent forechecking and back pressure, winning more battles on the walls, etc.
While there is some new personnel on hand -- defenseman Evgeni Medvedev and forward Sam Gagner -- the cast of players will be largely the same as last year. The installment of execution of Hakstol's system will have be a dramatic success to significantly alter the team's five-on-five play. However, a similar even-strength differential to last year (basically a break even) combined with a significant uptick on the penalty kill and continued power play success could be enough to keep the team in contention for a wildcard playoff spot.
FLYERS ALUMNI FACE OFF AGAINST CANCER
On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Flyers Alumni Team will participate in the third annual Faceoff Against Cancer at the Ice Works in Aston, PA. Last year, the Alumni's participation helped raised $145,891 for Delaware Valley families in need, with roughly $13,000 apiece going directly to 12 beneficiaries to offset some of the high financial burdens involved in the fight against various forms of cancer.
The Faceoff Against Cancer is an all-day event at the Ice Works complex, featuring a hockey tournament, live bands and other entertainment, on-ice and off-ice events, kid-friendly carnival games, a silent auction, raffles, prizes, food and soft drinks. Alcoholic beverages are available at an additional adult admission price.
The highlight of the day is a game between the Flyers Alumni Team and a team of "All-Star" donors from the various participants. The game is slated to start at 7:15 p.m. EDT. Afterwards, for an additional $50 donation, event attendees can have dinner and a personal meet-and-greet with the Flyers Alumni players.
To purchase tickets for the 2015 Faceoff Against Cancer, click here.
Even if you cannot attend the event in person, there's a variety of online donation options available. Donors can make a general donation to be split among all the beneficiaries or else they can make individual donations to go to the cancer patient beneficiary chosen by each of the participating teams. The beneficiaries come from a variety of different backrounds and ages -- some are pediatric cancer patients, some are the parents of young children, some are grandparents and one is a memorial fund.
For more information on all of the day's activities, bios on the beneficiaries and more, please visit the Faceoff Against Cancer website. The cause also has a Twitter account (@FACEOFFvsCANCER) and Facebook page.