Metropolitan Division 2014-15 Preview: Philadelphia Flyers

2014-15 NHL Metropolitan Division preview: Philadelphia Flyers must plug up their leaky defense if they hope to make waves this season.

MORE METRO PREVIEWS:Capitals | Penguins | Rangers | Devils | Islanders | Blue Jackets | Hurricanes

COACH: Craig Berube

2013-14 RECORD: 42-30-10, 94 points (third in Metropolitan, lost to Rangers in first round)

VITAL SIGNS: 2.8 goals per game (8th), 2.8 goals-against per game (20th); 19.8 power play pct. (7th); 84.8 penalty kill pct. (7th); Shootout record: 3-8 (28th)

NOTABLE ARRIVALS: LW Pierre-Eduoard Bellemare, RW Andrew Gordon, C Blair Jones, D Nick Schultz, RW Zack Stortini, C RJ Umberger, G Rob Zepp, D Michael Del Zotto

NOTABLE DEPARTURES: RW Steve Downie, D Bruno Gervais, D Erik Gustafsson, LW Scott Hartnell, C Ben Holmstrom, LW Tye McGinn, C Kris Newbury

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Forwards

Matt Read — Claude Giroux — Jakub Voracek
Michael Raffl — Sean Couturier — Wayne Simmonds ​
R.J. Umberger — Brayden Schenn — Jason Akeson
Zac Rinaldo — Vincent Lecavalier — Ryan White (injured)

Defensemen

Braydon Coburn — Andrew MacDonald
Nicklas Grossman — Mark Streit
Michael Del Zotto — Luke Schenn
​Kimmo Timonen (injured)

Goalies

Steve Mason
Ray Emery

Best case scenarios for Eastern Conference teams

OUTLOOK:

• Statistically ranking all 30 NHL starting goalies

NHL's best off-ice moves of the summer

PLAYER TO WATCH:

PREDICTION: 97 points (second in Metropolitan)

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