5 Flyers Milestones to Monitor in 2024-25 – Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers
As we await the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, it’s good to know a few potential milestones. Here, we look at five members of the Philadelphia Flyers who could accomplish big things in their upcoming campaign.
Matvei Michkov – Rookie Records
Matvei Michkov has to look at several rookie stats for the Flyers, some more difficult than others. At least in the 21st century, the Orange and Black have never had an incredibly impressive rookie campaign—it will be the 19-year-old’s time to strike. Rookie history records aren’t available, but let’s take a look.
This millennium, the Flyers’ rookie campaign scoring streak was accomplished by Matt Read in 2011-12. Scoring 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points in 79 games, that was an impressive showing for an undrafted free agent but one that was possible for someone like Michkov. He also surpassed the individual goal and assist marks in the 21st century, 24 set by Read and 29 set by Shayne Gostisbehere respectively.
Historical points are where things get tough but there is a non-zero chance Michkov can achieve greatness. It’s not unreasonable for him to score 52 points in a full season and become a top-10 scorer in franchise history, but moving into the top spot will require him to surpass Mikael Renberg’s 82-point debut season in 1993-94. Individual records are tricky, with Eric Lindros holding the goals mark (41) and Pelle Eklund holding the assist mark (51).
Assuming he’s healthy and playing in the top six, Michkov should beat or come close to some of the records on the list. 80 points may be the highest expectation for the youngster, but nothing is impossible for the Russian sympathizer.
Rasmus Ristolainen – First Playoff?
There aren’t many players in the NHL who have worked harder than defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. The 29-year-old has worked his entire career—713 games over 11 seasons—without a single playoff appearance. Playing for a Buffalo Sabers team that hasn’t won a season since 2011 started the drought, and against a Flyers team with the fourth-worst record in the league in his first season continued. The Orange and Black almost reached the postseason in 2023-24, maybe this season is his time to end the madness.
Part of Ristolainen’s inability to make the playoffs is his own fault, but he turned the corner last season with the Flyers and is starting to become a solid defensive defenseman on balance. He holds the second-longest playoff drought next to former teammate Jeff Skinner, who was acquired by the Sabers in the 2024 offseason and signed by the Edmonton Oilers—most likely to reach the postseason. This record is one that Ristolainen will not want to take, so it would be a good time to get that monkey off his back.
If the Flyers had made the 2023-24 season, which they were so close to before the fall of their remaining season, they would not have played. He’s only played 31 games due to injury, so health will have an impact. The 2024-25 Flyers have one of their deepest rosters in a long time, so it’s not long before they’re in the championship hunt again.
Erik Johnson – 1,000th game
Erik Johnson, a 36-year-old defenseman, is likely to reach the 1,000-game mark in his career even if he is likely to be out of the lineup more often. He was extended to a one-year deal worth $1 million at the start of the season, signed to be a veteran and play some games here and there. With 987 games to his name, he’s on pace to join 398 other NHLers to hit the four-figure mark.
Johnson will have to compete to play in the remaining 13 games, especially if the defense is healthier than it was in 2023-24, but he still has to do it. This could be his last season in the NHL given his age and some of his struggles in his last outing, so head coach John Tortorella will likely try to do the veteran a favor as long as it doesn’t hurt the team.
Johnson is on pace to reach 100 career goals with 93 as of now, but he will need a world-class campaign to score seven goals in 2024-25, especially if he doesn’t play regularly. He had five in 67 games last season—and did so with the second-highest shooting percentage of his career. Following this is almost impossible.
Sean Couturier — 800th Game, 200th Goal, 500th Point
Captain Sean Couturier should hit a few milestones early in the season. Assuming he stays injury-free for a long time, he should hit 800 games, 200 goals, and 500 points all in his 2024-25 campaign.
Related: Flyers’ Sean Couturier Ready to Bounce Back in 2024-25
All Couturier needs to reach each of those totals are five games played, nine goals, and two points. In his 12-year career, he scored points in each of 10 seasons—he was five goals shy of the season-shortened 2012-13 season and three goals shy of his injury-riddled 2021-22 campaign.
This upcoming season could be really big for Couturier and define his entire NHL career. With six seasons left and a cap hit of $7.75 million, his contract could age well unless he’s healthy and performing like he did in early 2023-24. If he can do that, he should hit a few big landmarks. He’s 109 games away from the third-most in franchise history, so that’s something to look forward to in 2025-26.
Travis Konecny - 600th Game, 200th Goal
A little further from his milestones is Travis Konecny, but he’s in a contract year and may be more motivated to get to the top. With 564 games played and 174 goals, he managed to score both 600 games and 200 goals in one period.
The only real question with Konecny is the fact that he can be traded at the 2025 deadline. Reaching 36 championships during that time is reasonable, but hitting 26 goals would be a challenge. If the Flyers are out of the playoff picture as the 2024-25 trade window nears its end, it seems likely that he won’t be on the team—extending his contract will come with some skepticism. He had 27 goals by the deadline last season, so it could be close.
Plenty of other Flyers are approaching the big marks for games played, goals, and assists, but these five are some of the most interesting (and most likely). I hope their 2024-25 campaigns are kind to them.
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