The Philadelphia Flyers exceeded expectations last season. 

If not for that late-season, eight-game losing skid, the Flyers should have made the playoffs. With that being the first year of the rebuild, the season was a fun ride while it lasted. And if the Flyers take the next step, which they should, this season should be even more enjoyable.

The Flyers open their season at 10 p.m. Friday at the Vancouver Canucks, who were one of the top teams last season in the Western Conference.

It’s a great challenge to open the season, but the Flyers should nonetheless be a fun team to watch. With the excitement in the air, there is so much to look forward to. Here is what to expect from the Flyers this season: 

With the addition of Matvei Mitchkov, who is hyped up to be a generational talent and an offensive weapon for years to come, they have some real expectations heading into the season. Along with  Mitchkov, the offense will be led by Travis Konecny, who has scored 30-plus goals in back-to-back seasons. Expect Konecny to have another solid season, along with the 19-year-old winger.

And speaking of Mitchkov, could he win the Calder Memorial Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s top rookie?

He had a great preseason, and fans are excited to see what he can actually do. The potential is there to make an immediate impact. Last season with Sochi HC of the KHL, he scored 19 goals and finished with 41 points in 47 games. He will be on the top power play unit, which should help. The Flyers’ had an awful power play unit last season. He should draw defenders and create more space. 

Sean Couturier will join Mitchkov and Konecny on the top line. Coots needs to have a big bounce-back season for the Flyers, after scoring only 11 goals and having 38 points last year. The 31-year-old was a healthy scratch last season for the first time in his career. He did miss the 2022-23 season with an injury, so maybe he was rusty last year. But he needs to have a strong season, especially as one of the top veteran players on this team.

Jamie Drysdale is a name to watch this season. He should be one of the Flyers’ top defenders, if he stays healthy. In four seasons, he has only played in 147 games. He has dealt with his fair share of injuries, but he is reportedly healthy now. If he can stay healthy for 82 games, and hopefully throughout the playoffs, he could be a threat. Along with Cam York, Travis Sanheim and Nick Seeler (when he gets healthy), the Flyers’ defense could be dangerous. 

The Flyers’ second line is just as scary as their first. Owen Tippett, Morgan Frost and Tyson Foerster, a trio of talented young players,  should be a strong combination. Foerster scored 20 goals and had 13 assists for 33 points last season. Expect those numbers to increase for the 22-year-old winger. Frost had 12 assists and 11 goals for 23 points last year, and Tippett finished with 28 goals and 25 assists for 53 points. This is going to be a fantastic trio and line, and every player should take a jump from their 2023-24 seasons. 

Bobby Brink, who finished with 12 assists and 11 goals for 23 points last season, signed a two-year extension in July, and rightfully so. He showed promise last year, and could be poised for a breakout campaign. He is going to get a lot of opportunities and playing time, so it won’t be surprising to see him have even more success. He will be on the third line, along with Jett Luchanko. 

Luchanko, an 18-year-old center, may have a strong rookie campaign. He looked really good in camp and earned his way to the Flyers’ roster. Most people did not think he was NHL-ready right away, but he proved otherwise. Along with Mitchkov, the Flyers’ youth movement will be one to watch. 

Sam Ersson and Ivan Fedotov are the Flyers’ goalies this season, with Ersson being the No. 1. Ersson played 51 games last season (starting 49) and played more than 2,800 minutes, more than he was ever supposed to play. Carter Hart faced sexual assault charges and, because he was forced to leave due to the scandal, Ersson took over. He did a good job with being the top guy but, like the rest of the team, kind of cooled off late in the season. But expect him, and Fedotov, to be solid in net this season. 

The Flyers finished with 87 points (38-33-11) last season. They should eclipse 90 points this season, the first time since the 2017-18 season when they had 93 points and secured a Wild Card spot.