The Philadelphia Flyers report for training camp on Friday and start playing
preseason games on Sunday. The roster is pretty much set, but there will still
be some players and battles to keep an eye on throughout the preseason. What
to Look for With the Flyers Goalies?

Brian Elliott is the Flyers number one goalie to start to the season unless he
gets injured during the preseason. Elliott missed significant time last season
due to injury, which is the reason he struggled down the stretch and into the
playoffs. The biggest thing with Elliott is going to be how he reacts after
making a difficult save - does he look comfortable or not? If the Flyers want
to take the next step and get deeper into the playoffs then, they need a
healthy Elliott to keep the puck out of the net. Brian Elliott (Amy Irvin /
The Hockey Writers)

Michal Neuvirth is expected to be the team's backup goaltender, but he is known
 to miss a big chunk of time because of injury. The goal of the preseason for
Neuvirth should be to stay healthy and be more consistent. Alex Lyon, who saw
some time with the Flyers last year, will need to leave a lasting impression on
 the coaching staff to crack the roster this year. Who';s the Flyers'; 3rd
Line Center?

This is the one battle that has the potential to be one of the more interesting
 ones as preseason goes on. At least three players on the current roster will
have a shot at being the third line center come Oct. 4, including Scott
Laughton, Jordan Weal, and Jori Lehtera. Laughton spent some time in this role
last season and played well. When Weal was in the lineup, he played second or
third line wing, while Lehtera rotated between the center position and wing.
Lehtera is another one of Hakstol's go-to guys on the team and played in every
situation last year even when he should have been a healthy scratch.Jori
Lehtera, Philadelphia Flyers, November 4, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Morgan Frost has an outside chance of making the team, but it could happen with
 a spectacular rookie camp and preseason. The injury to Sean Couturier should
have Frost sticking around for preseason. Frost is small in stature but would
add the speed factor to the third line. He also has hockey sense and makes
quick decisions to set up his teammates or shoot the puck. The center would
need to have a phenomenal showing and prove that he could handle the NHL to
even get a shot at starting the season on the Flyers roster.Can Philippe Myers
Crack the Flyers Roster?

Andrew MacDonald was injured during offseason workouts and is expected to miss
the next six weeks. The veteran defenseman will miss the first two weeks of the
 regular season if there are no setbacks. MacDonald's injury opens the door for
 21-year-old Philippe Myers to try to land a spot on the team. The 6-foot-5
defenseman was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He made his pro debut
 last year with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and finished the regular season
with 21 points while adding seven more in the postseason.Philippe Myers,
Philadelphia Flyers, Sept. 27, 2016 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Myers is a big kid that can skate and move the puck out of the defensive zone.
He isn't afraid to shoot the puck since he was held shotless in only seven of
his 50 games played last year. Myers will need to leave an impression in the
preseason to sticks around and take advantage of his opportunities when he has
them.Do the Flyers Young Kids Get Expanded Roles?

The Flyers started to trust the young kids more in the second half of last
season and they excelled. Travis Konecny was moved up to the top line to play
with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier where he gained confidence and started
to put up some points. Nolan Patrick was added to the top power play unit when
 Wayne Simmonds was injured and didn't miss a beat. Travis Sanheim was a much
better player after he was recalled, and Oskar Lindblom was playing on the
second line at one point last season.Travis Konecny Flyers (Amy Irvin / The
Hockey Writers)

The kids should have more defined and expanded roles this year. One possibility
 is Konecny seeing some time on the penalty kill since it needs some fresh
faces and revamping because of some terrible finished the past few seasons.
Patrick will be the second line center and play a more prominent role in the
offense. Lindblom will be starting the season on the third line, and he could
also see some time on both special teams units.

The usage of Sanheim by Hakstol could be the most interesting thing to see in
the preseason. The defenseman will likely be paired with Radio Gudas on the
third pairing at even strength, and could very well see some time on the second
 power play unit should the Flyers opt to go with two defensemen on that unit
instead of four forwards.How Does James van Riemsdyk Fit In?

One of the bigger storylines to keep an eye on is how free agent James van
Riemsdyk plays and fits into Hakstol's system. He could be playing with Nolan
Patrick and Jakub Voracek at even strength. If he doesn't mesh or build
chemistry with them over the course of the preseason then do the lines start to
 get tinkered with until the right combination is found? van Riemsdyk should
see plenty of ice time, but will he grasp the Flyers system quick enough?JVR is
 back in Philadelphia. It';s a sign that expectations have changed in the city
of brotherly love. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

There is no question that van Riemsdyk will be on the power play, but if the
first unit struggles, does he gets bumped up to the first unit with someone
else demoted? If he is not fitting in on one power play unit, does he moved or
stick with that same unit no matter what? When on the power play, he should be
the net-front presence, but there is also a chance that he could also play in
the slot.

The post 5 Storylines Heading Into Flyers Preseason appeared first on The
Hockey Writers.

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