As Flyers Rebuild, So Does Their Power Play

When he was drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft at 14th overall, one of his highlights was his offense. He wasn't elite by any means, but he was decent enough many wondered if he'd be able to hold his own as the Flyers future power play quarterback. With Provorov and then DeAngelo holding down the power play spot, York scarcely got a look with the extra man on the ice for the Flyers, but when he did he proved he could hold his own most nights. Now with both of the aforementioned out of the picture he will definitely be one of the top go-to experiments for the coming season - and depending on how it goes - maybe even the 2024/25 season.

With 2024's draft expected to be elite-to-top-defenseman heavy in the first round or two, it would serve York well to start putting his own stamp on the open position now. York won't be able to succeed on his own, of course. It'll be up to the coaching staff to put him in the position to do so, but if everything falls properly York may be able to solidify the spot at his.

Of course, there is always the chance the experiment fails, as many have for the Flyers in recent years. If they begin the experiment this season they will have an idea of how well or poorly it will goes, and if it's looking like it's not going to work out with York as the power play quarterback for some reason, the Flyers can begin to look toward the high draft pick they'll almost certainly have in the 2024 draft and set their sights on an elite defenseman to hopefully take over the spot in the future.

Even if York is decent at the power play quarterback position, if the Flyers do the rebuild correctly, and the select an elite defenseman in any of the upcoming drafts, York could be overthrown in the future. Elite young defenseman have a way of knocking veterans backward in the lineup, but that's what helps win championships. Along with a grade A-sniper(which they may already have in Michkov; if his development goes well and the Russian government doesn't step in to derail the Flyers), it's exactly what the Flyers will need - with or without a cup - if they want to consider this rebuild any kind of a success at the end.