Yesterday, the Flyerdelphia staff made their picks and predictions for the NHL — the standings, the playoff teams from both conferences and the awards.
Today, as the Flyers prepare to begin the 2015-16 season against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Flyerdelphia staff makes a few bold predictions on the Flyers season and tries their hand at predicting some other tidbits for the Flyers this season.
Here we go.
Brian Startare, @brianstartare
Bold Predictions
- The Flyers will miss the playoffs
- One of the Schenn brothers is dealt by the deadline
- Vincent Lecavalier scores 20
Flyers leading scorer: Claude Giroux
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Michael Del Zotto
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 10
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 30
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 6
Date of first prospect call-up: November 11
Kevin Durso, @Kevin_Durso
Bold Predictions
- Mark Streit will be traded
- Michael Raffl scores 25 goals
- The Flyers will finish with the league’s best power play
Steve Mason's GAA: 2.41
Flyers leading scorer: Jake Voracek
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Michael Del Zotto
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 8
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 27
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 7
Date of first prospect call-up: December 5
Bill Minchin, @wtfd103074
Bold Predictions
- Claude Giroux will win the scoring title
- The Flyers will make the East Finals
- The Flyers will trade one of Brayden Schenn, Sean Couturier or Scott Laughton by the deadline
Steve Mason’s GAA: 2.25
Flyers leading scorer: Claude Giroux
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Mark Streit
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 10
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 35
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 8
Date of first prospect call-up: December 1
Rob Riches, @Riches61
Bold Predictions
- Flyers set a franchise record for best power play percentage
- Claude Giroux breaks 100 points for the first time in his career
- Steve Mason earns a top-4 spot in Vezina Trophy voting
Steve Mason’s GAA: 2.28
Flyers leading scorer: Jakub Voracek
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Michael Del Zotto
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 12
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 25
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 6
Date of first prospect call-up: December 13
Zach Hopkins, @healedbyhockey
Bold Predictions
- Flyers hit 90 points, but still miss playoffs
- Shayne Gostisbehere is called up and never looks back
- Both Schenn brothers are traded before end of season
Steve Mason’s GAA: 2.56
Flyers leading scorer: Claude Giroux
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Michael Del Zotto
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 7
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 28
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 4
Date of first prospect call-up: October 25
Mike Watson, @mwats_99
Bold Predictions
- Scott Laughton will have his first 20 goal season in the NHL
- Radko Gudas will fall on the depth chart by Jan. 1 and end up in the press box and/or traded
- The Flyers play the Western Conference 8 times in November, and will earn at least a point in each game
Steve Mason’s GAA: 2.77
Flyers leading scorer: Jake Voracek
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Evgeny Medvedev
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 9
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michael Neuvirth: 30
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 6
Date of first prospect call-up: November 6
Bonus NHL Prediction – Connor McDavid will have more points than Sidney Crosby this season
Brent Baldwin, @BBFlyerdelphia
Bold Predictions
- Steve Mason stays healthy
- Scott Laughton and Brandon Manning are sent back to the AHL by December
- Anthony Stolarz makes his NHL Debut
Denise Mroz, @denisemroz10
Bold Predictions
- Flyers will be in Top 5 in scoring for the East
- Steve Mason will win 30 games
- The Flyers make the playoffs
Steve Mason's GAA: 2.12
Flyers leading scorer: Claude Giroux
Most goals for a Flyers defenseman: Evgeny Medvedev
Number of Flyers with double-digit goals: 10
Total appearances for back-up goalie Michal Neuvirth: 27
Total shootout losses for Flyers this season: 5
Date of first prospect call-up: November 17