Flyers season preview: Martone, Foerster lead effort to build on playoff berth

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Philadelphia Flyers.

Last season: 43-27-12, third in Metropolitan Division; lost in Eastern Conference Second Round

Coach: Rick Tocchet (second season)

Biggest challenge

The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season for the first time since 2020, but they needed a remarkable closing run to get there. They went 18-7-1 in 26 games following the break for the 2026 Winter Olympics to climb from eight points out of a playoff spot to third place in the Metropolitan Division. With almost the entirety of the roster returning this season, they have to figure out a way to play closer to that run than they did the first three quarters and avoid the lulls like the one that saw them lose 13 of 18 (5-10-3) from Dec. 28-Jan. 31.

How they make the playoffs

Philadelphia clinched a playoff berth despite having the League's worst power play (15.7 percent). General manager Daniel Briere has said fixing it is pivotal, but it will have to come from internal improvement rather than outside help. Having forwards Tyson Foerster and Porter Martone all season should help; Foerster is a threat with his dynamic shot and quick release and was tied for the team lead with three power-play goals when he sustained an injury to his right arm Dec. 1 that sidelined him for 49 games. The power play was 17.1 percent at the time, but without him it dropped to 14.5 percent. Martone, who made his NHL debut March 31, scored two of his four goals on the man-advantage, and at 6-foot-3, 214 pounds, he has the size and strength to be an effective net front presence. Getting more out of Jamie Drysdale also is imperative. He's their most effective offensive defenseman and has said he's focused on using his shot as more of a weapon from the point this season. A power play that ranks at least in the top half of the NHL would go a long way toward a playoff return.

Most intriguing addition

Joseph Woll is expected to provide an upgrade at backup goalie behind Dan Vladar. Acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 16, Woll had an .899 save percentage in 39 games last season that was the worst of his five-season NHL career. Some of that could be attributed to the play in front of him; Woll faced 32.8 shots on goal per 60 minutes of ice time, most of any goalie to play at least 10 games, but had a .909 save percentage in 2024-25 while facing 29.9 shots on goal per 60 minutes, which is closer to his NHL career .906 save percentage. The Flyers last season allowed 25.5 shots per game, fourth-fewest in the NHL. If Woll responds playing behind a better defense in Philadelphia, it should give Tocchet an opportunity to keep Vladar at or below the NHL career-high 52 games he played last season, which could keep him fresher for important late-season games. Samuel Ersson, the backup last season, had an .870 save percentage in 33 games. He was part of the deal for Woll.

Biggest potential surprise

Could David Jiricek be an answer to the power-play issues? He'll get an opportunity during training camp to answer that question. The 22-year-old defenseman was acquired from the Minnesota Wild on March 6 and had 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), including two power-play goals, in 15 games for Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. Jiricek has NHL-ready size (6-4, 204) and can hammer the puck on net, but skating issues have prevented him from becoming a consistent NHL player during previous stops with the Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets, who selected him with the No. 4 pick of the 2022 NHL Draft. The Flyers feel they've done well helping fix perceived skating problems for other players, chiefly Martone and Foerster, and are confident they can do the same for Jiricek. They have an open spot on the third defense pair, and considering Jiricek would have to clear waivers to be sent back to the AHL, he could have an advantage in a battle that will include Oliver Bonk and Hunter McDonald.

Ready to contribute

In his first professional season, Bonk had 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 46 games with Lehigh Valley. That earned him a chance to make his NHL debut, and the 21-year-old had a goal and an assist in 16:28 of ice time against the Montreal Canadiens in the regular-season finale. He also got to play against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 of the second round of the playoffs and was minus-1 in 12:36 of ice time. Bonk will be part of the competition for a third-pair NHL spot or could return to the AHL for a second season, play in all situations and put himself in position for a recall.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Vladar, G: One of the biggest fantasy surprises last season, Vladar thrived in his first season as a full-time starter in the NHL for the Flyers after previously being the backup for the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old is coming off career bests in wins (29; tied for ninth in NHL), goals-against average (2.42; third in NHL behind Scott Wedgewood's 2.02, Andrei Vasilevskiy's 2.31 among goalies to play at least 15 games), saves (1,162), shots faced (1,283), games played (52) and starts (51). Vladar was tied with Wedgewood for the League lead in 5-on-5 save percentage (.927) last season and could form a strong tandem with Woll. Per NHL EDGE stats, Vladar was tied for second in quality starts (35; starts with greater than .900 save percentage) behind Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins (38) and ranked seventh in long-range save percentage (.983). The Flyers allowed 25.5 shots on goal per game last season (fourth fewest in NHL) and should have added goal support from Martone over a full season, making Vladar a potential fantasy draft bargain (average draft position: 137.3). -- Pete Jensen

Projected lineup

Travis Konecny -- Christian Dvorak -- Porter Martone

Tyson Foerster -- Trevor Zegras -- Owen Tippett

Denver Barkey -- Noah Cates -- Matvei Michkov

Alex Bump -- Sean Couturier -- Noel Acciari

Travis Sanheim -- Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York -- Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler -- Oliver Bonk

Dan Vladar

Joseph Woll