Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson are set to play in their first game for the first time in over a year.
The Philadelphia Flyers are back. For the first time since April, the Flyers will play an actual hockey game in an actual NHL arena. Granted, it's only a preseason game and the stats don't matter, but it will still be a big night for several notable veterans and young players looking to earn a roster spot for the regular-season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 12.
The Flyers kick off the preseason in Newark to take on their division rival New Jersey Devils. The Devils are coming off an excellent 112-point season that saw them earn a playoff series victory for the first time in over a decade. The Flyers, meanwhile, were one of the worst teams in the NHL and are in the early stages of a rebuild. Preseason or not, this strong Devils team should serve as a nice test for the Flyers.
Here's everything you should know about Game 1 of the Flyers' preseason.
How to watch
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Prudential Center
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
TV: Not televised
Roster
Forwards: Sean Couturier, Matt Brown, Bobby Brink, Morgan Frost, Denver Barkey, Samu Tuomaala, Olly Lycksell, Tyson Foerster, Elliot Desnoyers, Joel Farabee, Cam Atkinson, Brendan Furry
Defense: Helge Grans, Cam York, Nick Seeler, Sean Walker, Emil Andrae, Oliver Bonk
Goalies: Felix Sandstrom, Cal Petersen
What to watch for
1. Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson will both be in action for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Couturier has missed nearly two years of action due to a pair of back surgeries while Atkinson missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a neck injury. Couturier and Atkinson are two of the Flyers' most important players, and their return should certainly give the club a boost going into the new campaign. Couturier and Atkinson will both need to knock off some rust, though, so don't expect them to be in midseason form quite yet.
2. Cal Petersen will share the net with Felix Sandstrom. Petersen will man the crease for the first two periods while Sandstrom will take over in the final frame. There is a legitimate battle to monitor for the Flyers' backup goalie spot. Sandstrom was the Flyers' primary backup last season, but still hasn't done enough to separate himself as the unquestioned backup going into the new campaign. Acquired from the Los Angeles Kings over the summer, Petersen was once considered one of the better young goalies in hockey, but his play has since regressed considerably. Still, a good preseason could be enough to give Petersen a small edge in the backup battle.
3. Tyson Foerster is hoping to earn a full-time roster spot with the Flyers. Foerster appeared in the Flyers' two exhibition games against the New York Rangers during rookie camp, though he didn't dominate in those games by any stretch. A strong game against the Devils would be a nice way to set the tone for the rest of the preseason as he looks to lock down an NHL role.