Farabee discusses offseason training, Flyers' chances in Q&A with NHL.com

In NHL.com's Q&A feature called "Sitting Down with …" we talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice. In this special offseason edition, we feature Philadelphia Flyers forward Joel Farabee, who is healthy entering his fifth NHL season after having disk replacement surgery a year ago.

SEWELL, N.J. -- Joel Farabee was looking for a pregame cup of coffee before he strapped on the skates to take part in a Checking For Charity tournament game Friday.

It's a quite a change from where he was a year ago, when Farabee still was recovering from artificial disk replacement surgery in his neck in June 2022. He was cleared for contact a week before the Flyers played their season opener.

He had 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 82 games last season, the most he's had in his four NHL seasons. But with a regular offseason of training, the 23-year-old feels prepared to contribute more this season.

"When you have the full offseason to work out, I feel like you just have that extra jump in your legs or a little extra energy," Farabee said. "You feel a lot better. ... Just having that whole offseason to work out, your body's just in a way better place to endure a long season."

NHL.com caught up with Farabee and discussed several topics, including how his offseason has gone, becoming more of a leader, which teammate forcefully reassured him he was ready for contact last season, and more.

How much different has it been for you this offseason compared to last year?

"[It] kind of stunk obviously last year having to get surgery, but I'm feeling good. I've obviously been skating a lot this summer, working out, so the body feels good and I'm just happy to be playing in this again."

Did you ever feel like yourself last season?

"I've got to give a lot of credit to our trainers and staff at the rink. I feel like for me, I was just trying to get through the year a lot, trying to keep as much weight up as possible. Some bumps and bruises along the way, but I felt pretty good. Obviously, my weight probably wasn't where I wanted it to be at during the season, but in terms of playing I felt fine. I feel like probably after the first 20 games I started to feel a lot better. First month of the season was really tough; [I] didn't really work on my conditioning as much as I probably would have liked last year, but this summer has been great. I've been working out a lot, so [I'm] definitely feeling good now."

So, there are no lingering issues with your neck now that we're more than a year since surgery?

"No. ... I felt like right when I came back in the season during that first 20 games, I was really sore after games and things like that. But other than just overall soreness, I really haven't had too many issues."

After having such serious surgery, how long was it until you weren't concerned about it and were just able to play?

"I remember watching videos of the year prior and just seeing myself get hit and you're kind of wondering how it's going to feel. But I remember right when I got cleared for contact at the end of training camp last year, Nic Deslauriers hit me pretty good and it didn't really hurt or anything, but it kind of shocked me. After that I was like, 'OK, now I'm ready to get hit.'"

Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said he's seen you take more of a leadership role during the offseason. You're only 23 years old, but this will be your fifth NHL season. Is being more of a leader something you're focused on this season?

"Yeah, 100 percent. I'm going into my fifth year here, but it feels like yesterday I was 19 playing my first game. I've had conversations with [Briere] about the young guys and how important it is to take care of them. I've had a couple of them living with me throughout the summer, [and I'm] just trying to help any way I can with those guys. For me personally, my first couple years here I was in New Jersey a lot [and I] wasn't really in the city much. I really try and get the young guys down to Philly, whether it's dinner or going for a beer, whatever it might be. Just to show them it's good to be hanging around the guys and your teammates. That's how you build relationships with guys. That's how you build a team."

You'll have two other leaders back this season in Sean Couturier (back) and Cam Atkinson (neck) after each missed last season because of injuries. As much as they'll help on the ice, how big will it be to have them in the dressing room every day?

"I think it's going to be great. Obviously anytime you can add a 40-goal scorer (Atkinson) and a Selke Trophy winner (Couturier) back to your lineup, I think it's going to help. Just having those guys off the ice, 'Coots' is so good off the ice being a leader and stuff like that, just such a smart guy. And Cam's just one of those guys, he really brings people together. Having a young team, I think those are two guys that a lot of guys look up to, including me. If they're pulling on the rope, a lot of guys are going to follow them."

The Flyers have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past three seasons, and there aren't many people who think they'll make it this season. But what would progress this season look like to you?

"From what I've read on Twitter and stuff like that, everyone's got us dead last, we're finishing bottom-five. I really don't think we're going to be that bad at all. I think we have a really good young group of forwards. I think you saw that at the end of last year, how some guys took over, 'Frosty' (Morgan Frost), 'Tip' (Owen Tippett). I think we're going to be a pretty tough team to beat. I think there's never an easy night in Philly when you're playing us. I think we're going to be a lot better than people expect."