Here are my fearless predictions for next season:
Can expect to (possibly) regress:
- Voracek, Mason, Del Zotto, Schultz, Streit
Can expect to remain the same:
- Giroux, Simmonds, Grossmann, Raffl, Bellemare, MacDonald, L Schenn, Lecavalier, Rinaldo
- PP efficiency
Can expect to improve a bit:
- B Schenn, Couturier, Umberger
- Overall defense
- Backup goaltending
- 5-on-5 scoring
- Shootouts
Can expect to improve a lot:
- Read, Laughton
- PK
- Coaching / system
Unknowns
- White (++), VandeVelde (+), Cousins (+), Gudas (0), D prospects (+), Manning (0)
Let me 'splain.
Regressers:
Voracek and Mason put up career bests, so my pessimist says they will not do as well as in 2014-15. I'm not saying they are going off a cliff; just not sustain the amazing numbers of this past season. Del Zotto played above expectations and I'm thinking he regresses somewhat (hopefully not NY Ranger like) if given an extension. Schultz was another plus this season and I'm thinking his production and overall play are a bit worse, if for no other reason than the fact that he's another year older. Streit had a great year points-wise, but was slowing as the season progressed; Father Time probably has Streit on speed-dial.
Stay the same:
Players like Giroux and Simmonds have shown consistency in their production and play, so I'm expecting the same greatness from them. Raffl I think has hit his stride and Bellemare should be what we saw this season. The D, Lecavalier and Rinaldo are what they are, though not in a good way.
Slight improvers:
I want to be so optimistic that the late-season surge from Couturier and B Schenn will point to a breakout season in 2015-16. I'll stay conservative, though I'm hoping the Flyers break camp with a second line (barring McDavid centring it, of course) of Read – Couturier – Schenn. Umberger should be better after healing from his surgery. Better but not good.
Even though it seems counterintuitive to expect an improvement in the overall D despite regression and status quo with all of the current roster, I am expecting at least one significant change in it. Out with Grossmann/L Schenn and in with Morin or Gostisbehere should improve overall mobility, and we all know without a shadow of a doubt that one (or both) of these D phenoms will be stalwarts on the top pairing before the end of the season. Right? Plus, the group as a whole should be more efficient with a new and improved system.
Backup goaltending should improve when they move on from Emery. I'm okay with Zepp, but I hope they will be looking for a younger, higher-potential backup to start challenging Mason for the starting spot. 5-on-5 scoring should be a product of the abovementioned system and overall D uptick.
Finally, shootouts. Can't go anywhere but up. Giroux was horrible and should bounce back. And if new blood like Cousins can bring some creativity, the team might not define the acronym SOL.
Big improvers:
A healthy Read can do much better, and Laughton will have that much more experience as well as health. The PK was a seasonal millstone; see new system. And coaching, 'nuff said.
Unknowns are intriguing and obviously depend on who is brought back. My scoring system is how much they would improve the team over this past season. I see White as the biggest potential contributor of the lot, given how good he was after missing most of the season. Gudas I think will be status neutral as a slow stay-at-home Dman, who will possibly replace Grossmann/L Schenn (if traded) in this regard but help because he gets paid less to do the same thing. I separated Manning from the top-tier defensive prospects for obvious reasons, and don't see him giving the squad an appreciable boost.
The biggest ? is if Morin or/and Gostisbehere (or others) could make their way into the line-up.
