2011-2012 NHL Preseason: What to Expect from This Year's Philadelphia Flyers

The 2011-2012 Philadelphia Flyers have shocked the world this offseason with surprising moves that not only give the Flyers a chance to compete now but also in the distant future. 

The Flyers have moved center Mike Richards, who has been a top penalty killer, top point producer and captain of the Philadelphia Flyers.  The Flyers also decided to move a former forty goal scorer in Jeff Carter. 

These two pieces have been integral parts of the retooling Flyers of 2008 and the Eastern Conference Champion Flyers team of 2010.  These two main cogs of the team have moved on to other teams and have cleared room for moves that change the entire complexion of the Flyers' offense and goaltending.

One of the biggest areas of change this offseason has been the Flyers newly dismantled and reassembled offensive group. 

The Flyers have been able to add size at wing with former Columbus Blue Jackets winger Jakub Voracek and former Los Angeles Kings winger Wayne Simmonds.  Both forwards are very young and talented players who can help alleviate the concerns some may have over the loss of Ville Leino, Jeff Carter, and Mike Richards from the roster.  Jakub Voracek specifically has a great chance to blossom into the potential top player he was meant to be when he was drafted seventh overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

The Flyers also expect big things from young Brayden Schenn who is considered by many to be the top prospect not currently playing in the NHL.  Brayden Schenn is expected to slide into a third line center role and be a strong Calder Memorial Trophy contender this upcoming season.

The Flyers have also added the legendary Jaromir Jagr to bolster their offense.  Jagr is a player who can still succeed at the NHL level.  His hands are still outstanding and he is still great at using his body to shield opposing players from the puck.  Jagr's game is not one reliant on blazing speed, so his 39 year old legs should still be able to be serviceable enough to be a top point producer on the power play for the Flyers this season. 

Playing along side Claude Giroux or Daniel Briere will help him become a top point producer in the NHL again following his long departure from the NHL.  Looking at his 9 point performance at the 2011 World Championships against teams that consisted of NHL, SEL, and KHL stars from around the world show that Jagr still has something left in the tank.

Finally, it is important to talk about the signing of Ilya Bryzgalov and how much it will help the Flyers this upcoming season.

Ilya Bryzgalov was known in Phoenix for his ability to carry a non-playoff team to a playoff berth in two consecutive seasons in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.  Adding Bryzgalov is an immediate upgrade over the tandem of Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky.

Last year the Flyers went the entire season without recording a shutout.  Bryzgalov over the last two years has had a combined 15 shutouts which includes eight in 2009-2010 and seven in 2010-2011.

Bryzgalov will allow the Flyers' elite defense of Pronger, Timonen, Coburn, Carle, and Meszaros to worry less about every weak shot ending up in the back of the net.  It will allow the transition game to work better and boost team morale by limiting the weak goals allowed by Boucher and Bobrovsky last season.

This team is shaping up to be a very good team next year that should be able to compete for the Stanley Cup next season if Chris Pronger can stay healthy.  Another worry going into this season is a lack of team cohesiveness because of all the new faces in the lineup. 

It is still yet to be known if these issues will get in the way of the Flyers succeeding this season, but we will find out more during training camp in September.