Flyers’ 4th Line Roster Spots Will Be a Battle

The Philadelphia Flyers may have failed to upgrade their forward group, but on the other hand, they already have players within the organization who will be vying for spots and for playing time. Of their rookies, some have already had a taste of the big league in the past few seasons, while others may have their last chance to prove they can become full-time NHL players.

Here’s a look at who will fill the three to four roster spots that are up for grabs heading into the season.

2 Flyers With More Secure Spots

Zack MacEwen and Patrick Brown were NHL regulars last season, which gives them the best shot at again playing fourth-line minutes for the team. MacEwen fits the style of play new head coach John Tortorella expects from his players and should play mostly on the right wing. But with Nic Deslauriers signed, there may be a little less need for MacEwen to bring a ton of toughness to the lineup if there are other more skilled players pushing for a spot as well. He just signed a contract, and even though I think he will play 70 games max, there’s no doubt that he will be on the 23-man roster.

Patrick Brown, on the other hand, isn’t a certainty. He only played 44 games in 2021-22 and did alright offensively but was also injured three separate times to the hand, MCL, and upper body. He is up there in age (30 years old) and was easily in the mix due to injuries to the Flyers’ centers and prospects that may have taken his spot. This season won’t be as easy, as the young players are hungry and healthy.

Hungry Flyers in the Mix

Five players have either suffered injuries to set them back a bit, are young and on the cusp, or took full advantage of the opportunity they got because of all the injuries to the Flyers.

Starting with two players who have been set back by injuries, Tanner Laczynski and Wade Allison should already be on the Flyers, but both have been limited to 15 or fewer NHL games and 42 or fewer American Hockey League (AHL) games over the past two seasons. Laczynski is 25 years old, and Allison is 24, both at the point that they know their window to become full-time NHLers is closing. Laczynski is a centerman and will compete for and (ideally) reach the opening night roster over Brown. It will be tougher for Allison after MacEwen was just signed, and the right side is pretty full, but he could very well be an extra and earn his shot that way.

Related: Flyers’ 2022-23 Line…