It feels like just yesterday Owen Tippett was being hailed as one of the best trades the Flyers had pulled off in years. You remember it — the Claude Giroux deal with Florida, and suddenly here comes this big-bodied winger with speed, skill, and a wicked shot. And early on? He looked like the real deal.
In 2022-23, he popped off for 27 goals. It felt like the Flyers finally had a scoring winger who could keep up with today’s game — fast, explosive, a shooter’s mentality. It wasn’t perfect, but the ceiling was clear.
Fast forward to now, and Tippett is coming off a season that raised more questions than answers. 20 goals, 43 points in 72 games. Not awful, but not what Flyers fans — or management — were hoping to see in what should’ve been a breakout year.
Now, I know the doubters are getting louder. The “he’s just a middle-six guy” crowd. The “he disappears too much” people. And hey, they’re not totally wrong. But let’s break it down a bit.
What Went Wrong in 2024-25?
Let’s be real — the 2024-25 Flyers were a mess. Tortorella was fired. The offense looked like it was trying to solve a puzzle blindfolded some nights. Tippett, like a lot of guys, never really settled in.
He had a hard time stringing together good games. There’d be a flash — a breakaway goal, a snipe from the top of the circle — and then a week where you barely noticed him. Part of that’s on him, but part of it is the chaos around him, too.
He also battled some nagging injuries. And when you’re a player who relies on speed and power like Tippett does, even being 90% healthy can tank your effectiveness.
Still a Toolsy Player With Upside
Here’s the thing — when Tippett’s going, he’s a monster. He’s fast, he shoots a ton, and he can crash the net like a bull. The Flyers don’t have many guys with his mix of size and skill. Even in a down year, he was still among the team leaders in shots and high-danger chances.
He’s got that power-forward-meets-sniper game that coaches love if he can stay engaged. And the Flyers are going to need that kind of player in 2025-26, especially with how many young guys are pushing into the lineup.
New Coach, New Role?
One thing that could swing this whole thing: the new coaching staff.
With Tortorella out and a fresh system being put in place, Tippett might finally get the kind of environment that lets him open up his game again. We’ve seen it before — some players just don’t fit a hard-nosed, defensive-first mold.
Under a more modern, up-tempo system, Tippett could thrive on a second line with a guy like Trevor Zegras or maybe even play opposite Matvei Michkov to balance a line with size and shooting.
Make-or-Break? You Bet.
Tippett turns 26 this year. He’s not a kid anymore. This is that part of a player’s career where you stop hearing “potential” and start hearing “what he is.”
And he’s not short on competition. If Tippett wants to be part of this team’s core going forward, he needs to show it now.
So… Can He Do It?
I say yes. Maybe that’s optimistic, but I still believe there’s a 25-30 goal guy here. Give him consistent linemates. Keep him healthy. Let him play to his strengths. I think Tippett can bounce back and re-establish himself as one of the Flyers’ go-to scorers.
Will he be a franchise centerpiece? Probably not. But every good team needs guys like him — strong, fast, dangerous off the rush.
2025-26 might just be Tippett’s last real shot to prove he’s that guy in Philly. But I’m betting he’ll answer the call.
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