Five games into the new season, and while plenty of eyes are glued to the Flyers’ hyped prospects, Owen Tippett is quietly sitting on just one goal, yet he’s primed for a massive year. This is the guy who led the entire team with 28 goals last season, even after battling an ailment that knocked him out of the second round against Carolina. Nobody’s really talking about him breaking out for 35 or 40 goals, but that’s exactly why he could surprise everyone with a huge season.
The Quiet Threat Amidst Prospect Buzz
Honestly, the Flyers are carrying a lot of hope into this season, more than they have in a decade, save for that pandemic-era playoff run. Just last week, expectations for guys like Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, and Trevor Zegras were through the roof. But here we are, five games in, and only Michkov and Foerster have found the back of the net among that foursome. Denver Barkey is back from injury, but he hasn’t been notable in his two games, and Alex Bump got sent down to the AHL after a rough start. Yeah, it’s been a lackluster start for some, but don’t count out a turnaround. And the biggest unsung hero in all of this? Tippett. He spent most of the summer recovering, and now, with just one goal to his name, he’s basically being ignored. That’s a mistake.
A Second Power Play Unit Designed for Damage
So, why does Tippett have the potential for a monster year, maybe even leading the team in scoring for a second straight season? It’s all about the power play, baby! From the jump in training camp, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has been keen on running a young, damage-dealing first unit power play. It started with Zegras, Martone, Michkov, Foerster, and Jamie Drysdale. Before Thursday’s game, Travis Konecny and David Jiricek joined that group. If they click, that unit is staying put. But here’s the kicker, the true rarity: that leaves a second unit absolutely stacked. This newly configured second power play now features top prospect Porter Martone and last year’s leading goal-scorer, Owen Tippett. Think about that for a second. Not many teams can boast that kind of talent on their *second* unit. This means Martone, Tippett, and others like Barkey and newcomer Michael Bunting are going up against the opposition’s *second* penalty kill unit. Those guys aren’t as strong as the first, and they’re often not facing the opponent’s best defensive defenseman. That’s a huge advantage. Tippett, with his size, can exploit those different matchups. We saw last season he’s not afraid to throw his body around or change the momentum when needed, and now he’s got the perfect setup to do it even more.
This is the kind of opportunity that transforms a good player into a great one. Tippett is healthy, coming off a scoring title, and now he’s getting prime power play minutes against softer competition. Can he be the team’s leading scorer again? With this setup, absolutely. Keep your eyes locked on what Tippett does next, because he’s about to make some serious noise.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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