Flyers training camp preview

With training camps set to begin on July 13 as part of Phase 3 of the NHL Return to Play Plan, NHL.com is taking a closer look at each of the 24 teams in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
Today, the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Philadelphia Flyers were 41-21-7 (.645 points percentage) and will play in the round-robin portion of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers in the Eastern Conference against the Boston Bruins (44-14-12, .714), Tampa Bay Lightning (43-21-6, .657), and Washington Capitals (41-20-8, .652) to determine seeding for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
After missing the playoffs last season, the Flyers were one point behind the Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division when the NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. Their 19-6-1 record since Jan. 8 was tied with the Bruins for the best in the NHL.
"Was definitely a little disappointing when [the season pause] happened because the team was playing so well," defenseman Ivan Provorov said. "We finally got on a roll and we were playing our best hockey since the time I got to the League, probably the best hockey we've played in four seasons since I've been here."
Philadelphia allowed 28.7 shots on goal per game, fewest in the NHL. Depth at center also is key for the Flyers, led by Sean Couturier, who was second on Philadelphia with 59 points (22 goals, 37 assists) and could be a Selke Trophy finalist for best defensive forward in the NHL. Second-line center Kevin Hayes scored 23 goals and tied for the NHL lead with four shorthanded goals, and centers Derek Grant (Anaheim Ducks) and Nate Thompson (Montreal Canadiens) were acquired in trades Feb. 24 to solidify the third and fourth lines.

Player to watch

Claude Giroux was fourth on the Flyers with 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 69 games. His average of 0.77 points per game was his third lowest in a full NHL season, and the forward was overshadowed offensively at times by Couturier, Hayes and forwards Travis Konecny and Jakub Voracek. Giroux has set the tone for Philadelphia when it comes to intensity and work ethic during his eight seasons as captain, but the Flyers will need him to produce more offensively.

Biggest question

CanCarter Hart win big-pressure games? The 21-year-old was the youngest goalie to play at least 20 NHL games this season, and he was eighth with a 2.42 goals-against average (minimum 20 games played) and tied for ninth with 24 wins (24-13-3). He had an .869 even-strength save percentage on the road and .949 at home.

Injury updates

Nolan Patrick , C -- Has not played this season because of a migraine disorder. His status is unknown.
Oskar Lindblom, F --Was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in December and will not play again this season.
James van Riemsdyk, F -- Healthy after missing the final three games before the pause because of a broken right index finger sustained March 4.
Nate Thompson, C --Healthy after spraining his knee March 10.
Philippe Myers, D -- Healthy after missing the final game, a 2-0 loss to the Bruins on March 11, because of a fractured patella in his right knee sustained March 7.

Fresh face

Morgan Frost
had a solid first professional season, scoring 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 41 games with Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. The center played 20 games with the Flyers, all but two in November and December. He scored in each of his first two games but had four assists in his next 18 and finished the regular season in the AHL. If the 21-year-old can better handle the physical play of the NHL, a good training camp could make him a candidate for a bottom-six forward spot if Philadelphia needs extra offensive punch.

Telling stat

Since Giroux made his NHL playoff debut in 2009, he has scored 65 points (24 goals, 41 assists) in 69 postseason games. His average of 0.94 points per game is tied for sixth among active players with at least 60 playoff games, behind Pittsburgh Penguins centers Sidney Crosby (1.13) and Evgeni Malkin (1.04), Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (0.98), Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (0.97), and Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (0.96).

They said it

"End of the season they had a real good push. Our team is so good together. Can't wait to see them again and can't wait to be with them and start practicing with them. They have a great chance to push for a good playoff run here." -- forward Oskar Lindblom

Projected lineup

Claude Giroux -- Sean Couturier -- Jakub Voracek
Scott Laughton -- Kevin Hayes -- Travis Konecny
James van Riemsdyk -- Derek Grant -- Tyler Pitlick
Michael Raffl -- Nate Thompson -- Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Ivan Provorov -- Matt Niskanen
Travis Sanheim -- Philippe Myers
Robert Hagg -- Justin Braun
Carter Hart
Brian Elliott