Every team in the NHL has players who have a chip on their shoulder. Every team has players who have something to prove, not only to the team, but to themselves as well. The Philadelphia Flyers players are no exception. The team has three players who have something to prove during the 2023-2024 season.
Philadelphia Flyers Players With The Most To Prove
With the Flyers seemingly in a rebuild this season, there will be plenty of opportunity for players to step up and prove themselves. These three players specifically have a chance to show how talented they are. These players can make a name for themselves this season, or even remind the league of who they are.
Cal Peterson
The Flyers acquired the former Los Angeles Kings goalie Cal Peterson through the Ivan Provorov trade. The Flyers had to take on a hefty contract but it comes with the veteran experience of Peterson. He has a chance to show how capable he is behind the net and how he can help impact the team positively. His numbers don’t stand out over the past couple of seasons. He has had a save percentage below .900 the last couple of years which shows he has struggled. However, this year is an ideal chance to turn the tables and grow his career.
With Carter Hart being a free agent this season, this could be Peterson’s chance to show he is the next Philadelphia Flyers goalie. Hart, who is entering his prime, might want out to find a better situation next year and may want to move to a more competitive team. This means there is a possibility the Flyers would be in need of a netkeeper. If Peterson can be consistent this season and open some eyes, he could be the guy moving forward. He has to prove to the organization they received a valuable asset with him and that he is capable of leading a team to a winning season behind the net.
Travis Sanheim
Travis Sanheim has to massively prove himself to the team this year. Sanheim signed an eight-year, $50 million contract last October. His no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, meaning there is now no way out for him. He will have years to come with the Flyers. So the question is – is he worth the money?
The main reason Sanheim has something to prove is because of his contract. In years past he has been a superb player, sure. But now with his massive contract extension, he has to prove the Flyers made the right choice with him. He will have help on defence this season which bodes well for him, but he still has to step up and prove himself to the organization and his teammates.
Cam Atkinson
Cam Atkinson is another player who needs to prove himself this season. Atkinson, who is coming off of neck surgery, missed the entirety of last year. It has been a long time since he has taken the ice. Growing older with age, this could be one of his last chances to show he is still very capable of being an everyday player in the league.
He leaves a lot of questions in the air. Can he get back to where he was? Will he stay healthy? So on and so forth. The team is vastly different from the last time he played. He will have to figure out a way to bond with his new teammates on the ice. Atkinson has to prove he is still the same player he was when he got injured and has to show the Flyers he can help the team win games.
These three players can have a major impact on the team’s success this season. They all have so much to prove to not only the team and the organization, but also to the fans of Philadelphia.
