32 thots is back with a double header. The 22^nd installment and a feature of the controversial 5 is the Anthony’s Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers are having a decent but unspectacular season, currently 5^th in the Metropolitan Division with a 34-25-2 record.
Offensively, they are middle-of-the-pack, ranking 16^th in goals per game (3.1 GF), but their power play (18.05%, 20^th overall) is underwhelming and needs improvement.

Defensively, they allow 3.05 goals per game (21^st overall), which is a concern, though their penalty kill (81.82%, 13^th overall) is respectable. Their ability to limit damage on the PK helps, but overall team defense remains a weak point.

Forwards:

• Key Players: Matt Duchene, Boone Jenner, William Karlsson, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Hartman
• Depth Players: Morgan Frost, Matias Maccelli, Anthony Duclair, Trevor Moore, Nick Cousins
• Scratched Players: None

Grade: B

Your forward group is a mix of veterans and solid middle-six contributors, but it lacks an elite play-driving center. Matt Duchene and Boone Jenner are strong, but neither is a true No. 1 center. Alex Ovechkin still provides goal-scoring, but he’s aging, and his production will decline soon.

Your depth is good but not great—Morgan Frost, Matias Maccelli, and Anthony Duclair can contribute, but they won’t carry the offense. William Karlsson is a solid two-way center, but you need a true franchise forward to take this group to the next level.

Defense:

• Key Players: Zach Werenski, Moritz Seider, Travis Sanheim
• Depth Players: Ronnie Attard, Santeri Hatakka, Nick Seeler, Johnathan Kovacevic
• Scratched Players: Ronan Seeley

Grade: B+

Your defensive core is solid, with Zach Werenski and Moritz Seider forming an excellent top pair. Seider has elite potential, but he’s still developing, while Werenski is a proven top-pairing defenseman.

Travis Sanheim provides solid depth, but beyond that, your defensive depth is weaker—Nick Seeler and Johnathan Kovacevic are more suited for bottom-pairing roles.

THOTS: Your top two defensemen are strong, but your depth is lacking. You need one more high-end defenseman to solidify the blue line.

Goaltending:

• Goalies: Ilya Sorokin, Daniil Tarasov
• Depth Goalies: Matt Villalta

Grade: B

Ilya Sorokin is your biggest strength, as he is one of the best goaltenders in the league. Daniil Tarasov is a good backup with some upside, but he isn’t ready to take over as a starter if Sorokin gets injured.

Prospect Pool:

• Top Prospects: Carson Bantle, Anton Johannesson, Oskar Magnusson, Luke Reid, Alex Young
• Other Notable Prospects: Rhett Pitlick, Scott Walford, Nikita Ishminkov, Tyler Muszelik

Grade: C+

Your prospect pool lacks high-end talent, with no blue-chip forwards or defensemen. Carson Bantle and Anton Johannesson are decent, but they don’t project as franchise players. Your best goaltending prospect, Tyler Muszelik, is still a long shot for NHL success.

Draft Capital & Future Outlook:

• Notable Picks:
• 2026 1st (PHI), 2026 2nd (PHI), 2026 3rd (PHI)
• Multiple later-round picks in 2025 and 2026

Grade: C-

You own your own first-round pick in 2026, which is important, but you lack additional first-rounders to help speed up the rebuilding process.

Overall Team Evaluation:

Final Grade: B

Your team is competitive but lacks the long-term foundation to sustain success. Sorokin keeps you afloat, and your defense is decent, but your forward group is aging and your prospect pipeline is weak. Your team can still compete, but you need to start thinking about the future. If you don’t add high-end young talent soon, you risk falling into mediocrity as your core ages out. More importantly, your only burst of activity was during the off season when you went all out in Free Agency to gather your UFA and sign additional UFA. You have unfortunately not been very active throughout the season and this neglect will likely lead to your team’s overall downfall.

How to Improve:

1. Trade an aging forward (Ovechkin, Duchene) for young assets or draft picks.
2. Draft high-end offensive talent to improve the future outlook.
3. Acquire one more elite defenseman to support Seider and Werenski.

Consider adding a stronger backup goalie behind Sorokin.