High Flyin’ Philadelphia Team A Serious Fantasy Force This Year

Club: Philadelphia Flyers
Fantasy Impact Rating: Hot

Superstars: None
Big Producers: Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, Daniel Briere
Mid-Level Flyers: Mike Knuble, Scott Hartnell, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn
Rookies/Prospects: Claude Giroux
Sleepers: Jeff Carter, Joffrey Lupul
Avoid the Hype: None

Analysis:
The Philadelphia Flyers have gone from pretender to contender in the matter of a season and fantasy managers should be buzzing at what they have to offer in the 2008-2009 season.

While the Flyers are without a pure superstar, they certainly are knee deep in high production talent and if everything goes as planned, the first line in Philly could put up monster numbers. After sitting out most of the 2007-2008 season with concussion symptoms, Simon Gagne looks to rebound in a big way. He has phenomenal skills and will certainly be a 70+ point player if he remains healthy for the duration of the season. He’ll render a lower than expected rank heading into drafts this season so be savvy to where he is ranked in your draft. You might be able to steal him as a second option at left wing. To Gagne’s right will be Mike Richards at center. Richards took off last season scoring 28 goals and 47 assists. Expect similar numbers from this season as he’ll once again be on the first line power play unit. Expect him to be seriously considered starting in the 2nd round, and should be a number one option at center for any fantasy team.

Anchoring the right wing on Phili’s top line may be a bit of a surprise to fantasy managers. Usually known for his faceoff ability, Danny Briere will be taking over right wing duties in an effort to make sure the 8 million dollar man doesn’t get shuffled down in the depth chart. Briere is an all around great player that should see significant time on the top power play line as well. Most leagues will still have him listed at center, so if you’re concerned about taking on another player at a position that is deep as center is, expect the duel-eligibility to kick in early on in the season. Then you’ll be able to slide him to your right wing and not have to worry about accumulating centers.

Mike Knuble and Scott Hartnell should have a solid season in 2008-2009 and could see a fair amount of time this season on the 2nd line. Knuble is getting up there in age, but is still good for around 50 points again this season. His totals my slide slightly because of pressure from Joffrey Lupul, but because of Philadelphia’s depth, you may be able to nab Knuble as a 3rd or 4th option at right wing. Hartnell is somewhat similar, but it’s worth mentioning that if your league values penalty minutes, Hartnell should be considered. He finished last year with 43 points and 159 penalty minutes. It’s very plausible that be puts up similar numbers this season, and could be used as a 4th option at wing or utility player on any fantasy team.

Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn will look to provide a 1-2 punch from the point this season. Timonen is the more fantasy worthy player of the two heading into this season and should be able to match his 44 point season from a year ago. He’ll most certainly be on the point during the power play, which should be awfully potent again this year. Coburn tallied 36 points in the 2007-2008 campaign and is showing signs up becoming a serious contender to quarterback the power play. He’s not as proven as Timonen just yet, but he may be worth a look as a 4th option at defense in deeper leagues.

Jeff Carter and Joffrey Lupul may very well wind up being sleeper worthy players in your draft this season, and it may be worth making a play for at least one of them in the middle to later rounds. Lupul missed 26 games last year with multiple injuries but still managed to put up 46 points in the shortened effort. He may slip through the cracks and that could play heavily into your drafting situation. If you see him kicking around in the middle to late rounds, he’s well worth the add. Carter is a stud who should be starting the season as the 2nd line center now that Briere is playing wing. Carter will certainly fall in your drafts because the center position is so immensely deep, so if you can nab Carter as a 4th option at center, consider it a major steal and possibly use him as trade bait if he catches fire at any point in the season.

If you’re in a deeper league, and you’re scouting rookie talent to take a chance on in your later rounds, it would be wise to flag up and coming prospect Claude Giroux. Giroux has put up sickening numbers in the QMJHL and has the potential to work his way onto the roster this fall. Since the Flyers are so deep, it would be wise to flag him and avoid drafting him to start. If he makes the squad, see if he works his way up to where he can consistently produce and then make a play.

Goaltending:
Situation: Solid
Grade: B+
1. Martin Biron
2. Antero Niittymaki

With the Flyers improving on both sides of the puck, and Martin Biron getting that crucial first year under his belt in a new city, things are looking up between the pipes this season. Biron is not a flashy tender, but he gets the job done. It would be safe to use Biron as a number one goaltender if you plan on building up a solid line of offensive players before addressing your goaltending situation. He may surprise a lot of managers this year, so as a number one option, he’ll be a solid choice.

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