Inside look at Philadelphia Flyers

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1.-Sept. 1. Today, the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Philadelphia Flyers will go into the next phase of their rebuilding effort hoping to see more of their younger players take larger roles.

It's something that began last season as the Flyers faded from contention for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and continued with the offseason departures of forwards Kevin Hayes and James van Riemsdyk and defensemen Ivan Provorov and Tony DeAngelo.

"We talked about making some openings for some of the young guys to play in and see what we have," general manager Daniel Briere said. "I think we were able to create that and see really what we have for the future."

On defense that includes Cam York potentially taking the ice time left open when Provorov, who averaged 23:01 in ice time, the seventh straight season he led the Flyers, was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on June 6.

York had 20 points (two goals, 18 assists) averaging 19:39 of ice time in 54 games. The 22-year-old was a minus-1 in even-strength goal differential despite the Flyers as a team being a minus-18 after York was recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Dec. 8.

"We really saw him grow in front of our eyes to me last year, both mentally and physically," Briere said. "It was pretty impressive to see. I'm not saying that his game is perfect, but he took a huge step, and he deserved the increase in responsibilities that he got through the year. And he's going to get even more this upcoming season."

Last season saw an uptick in responsibility for Owen Tippett, 24, who scored 27 goals; Morgan Frost, 24, who led the Flyers with 41 even-strength points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games; and Noah Cates, 24, who emerged as the Flyers' top defensive center.

The hope is forward Joel Farabee can have that same sort of impact now that he's healthy. The 23-year-old had 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games despite having artificial disk replacement surgery in his neck June 24, 2022, which prevented him from working out ahead of the 2022-23 season.

With a full offseason of training for Farabee, Briere said the expectation is for more production.

"From what I've seen, the effort that he's put into the gym this year, how he looks, it's night and day," Briere said. "I'm really excited about him."

Joining them up front could be Tyson Foerster 21, who had seven points (three goals, four assists) in his first eight NHL games and was on a five-game point streak when he was returned to the AHL on March 26.

"I think he's going to develop into an outstanding player," Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones said. "His hockey sense is what impressed me the most in the short stint that he had last year with the big club. He has a level of hockey intelligence that's very high. Add that to his great shot and his willingness to do whatever it takes to play in the National Hockey League, I think we're going to really benefit from No. 1, the fact that he had a good healthy year last year, the majority of it in the American Hockey League. And No. 2 that he's an extremely motivated hockey player."

Sean Couturier has a different sort of motivation. The 30-year-old has had back surgery twice since he last played Dec. 18, 2021.

After nearly two seasons away, he wants to show that he can return to the level that saw him score 30 goals twice and win the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2020.

"I'm definitely going to be out there to prove something," he said. "It's going to be close to two years that I haven't played in the NHL. ... It's going to be a challenge, but I'm up to it. And I'm looking forward to (training) camp."

Having Couturier and forward Cam Atkinson, who had neck surgery Dec. 21 and missed last season, will give the Flyers two important veterans to surround their young core. Defenseman Marc Staal and forward Garnet Hathaway were signed during the offseason for similar reasons.

"Those guys are going to help our young guys develop and become better pros down the road for us," Briere said. "That's really what I believe. I'm really excited that those guys were willing to jump aboard and be part of almost a mentorship with some of our young guys. And who knows what could happen? I think those guys are going to help our young guys become better pros quicker."