Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek and the Flyers open the 2014-15 season in Boston against the Bruins on Wednesday night. (Photo by Amy Irvin/38Photography)
The wait is over. The 2014-15 NHL season has arrived and on Wednesday night, the Flyers kick things off against the Boston Bruins.
After a 3-3-2 preseason, the Flyers enter the regular season dealing with several storylines. Here’s a few to fill you in.
It was a quiet offseason for the Flyers in terms of acquisitions. The more noticeable new additions may be Blair Jones and Pierre-Edouard Bellamare and not veterans R.J. Umberger and Michael Del Zotto.
Umberger was the return on the Flyers biggest splash of the offseason, dealing Scott Hartnell to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Flyers enter the season without a true enforcer, contrary to years past. Late in the preseason, the Flyers waived Jay Rosehill and kept only Zac Rinaldo, who serves as more of a role player than an enforcer, on the opening roster.
During the offseason, Ron Hextall said the Flyers were not in the elite group of teams contending for a Stanley Cup. Still, the Flyers look for another playoff appearance and a chance to play for the ultimate prize.
The preseason also featured injury scares for Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Simmonds may still miss Wednesday night’s opener but Giroux returned in time for the close of the preseason.
The offseason was also overshadowed with the injury to Kimmo Timonen which will threaten his career. The injury prompted the Flyers signing of Del Zotto.
Additionally, there are several players waiting in the wings that nearly made the team out of training camp. Shayne Gostisbehere is likely the closest, but Scott Laughton is close behind. So is forward Taylor Leier and defensemen Mark Alt and Robert Hagg.
It’s all about to begin and the storylines will play out throughout the season. We are ready here at Flyerdelphia to bring you coverage. We hope you will join us throughout the season.
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
