5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Philadelphia Flyers

By Nick Villano

Philadelphia Flyers Issues

Sean Couturier Philadelphia Flyers — The Philadelphia Flyers were unusually silent this offseason. Despite not making the playoffs, the only splash they made was with the head coach. With the Metropolitan Division getting so much better, are they in trouble? They have some issues, and most of their question marks will be answered pretty quickly.

5. Will Superstars Score?

Claude Giroux

5. Will Superstars Score?

5. Will Superstars Score? — Did you know the Flyers did not have any 30 goal scorers last season? Despite the amazing season from Jakub Vorachek, they didn't have one player break that threshold. Claude Giroux couldn't even get past 25, but he's never scored 30 in his career. Wayne Simmonds was the leading scorer with 28, which hurts since he was tied with the recently traded Scott Hartnell. The best players need more goals if the bottom six isn't going to contribute more.

4. Penalty Kill

Steve Mason

4. Penalty Kill

4. Penalty Kill — The Flyers penalty kill was one of the worst in the league last season. They ranked 27th, stopping the other team just 77 percent of the time with a man advantage. The only teams worse than them are Edmonton, Arizona and Buffalo, which had the first three picks in the draft. If they want to be competitive, they need to add five points to their penalty kill percentage.

3. Vinny Lecavalier

Vinny Lecavalier

3. Vinny Lecavalier

Vinny Lecavalier — What do the Flyers do with Vinny Lecavalier? He is virtually unmovable, although who knew Chris Pronger was able to be traded while he was working for the league front office. He needs to be better, but he isn't going to get much of a chance. He could even get bought out in the middle of the year if it goes as bad as last season.

2. What To Do On Defense

Michael Del Zotto

2. What To Do On Defense

2. What To Do On Defense — The Flyers defense could be really good, however it could be bad. It is hard to tell what this unit will do on a nightly basis, let alone a yearly basis. They have Luke Schenn and Yevgeny Medvedev on the final years of their deal. They gave Michael Del Zotto an unusual amount of money for his career. Andrew MacDonald and Mark Streit make a ton of money despite the latter's age. It seems like a unit that could still use an elite player.

1. Will Dave Hakstol Transition Well?

Will Dave Hakstol Transition Well?

1. Will Dave Hakstol Transition Well?

1. Will Dave Hakstol Transition Well? — The Flyers shocked the hockey world by hiring Dave Hakstol out of college. It is different to hire someone to run an NHL team without NHL experience, but the Flyers are in a position where they need a high upside coach. This could flame out, however. GM Ron Hextall has gotten some good karma lately for the moves he made, but this move could cost him his job if it doesn't work.

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Philadelphia Flyers

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