Predicting Flyers Lines: Line Three

In our previous installment of “Predicting Flyers Lines”, Morgan Frost, Owen Tippett, and Cam Atkinson rounded out the club’s top 6. Now it is time to look at the Flyers third forward line, which could boast some of John Tortorella’s favorite players and a promising rookie. 

Left Wing – Scott Laughton 

At 29-years-old Scott Laughton once again proved why he’s a well respected veteran as he set new career highs in both goals and assists last season. Laughton finished fifth on the team in scoring and fulfilled a role on both the Flyers penalty kill and power play.

The uptick in power play time in particular perhaps was twofold. First, the club didn’t own a wealth of options to put there, but also, his play had warranted some PP time. It’s no wonder why Laughton’s name has surfaced in trade rumors for the better part of a year and a half. He’s the Swiss army knife type that can slide up and down the lineup at both center or wing.

Those kinds of players never seem to have a shortage of work in the NHL.

It doesn’t matter what the club asks of him, Laughton routinely meets the challenge.The only player to wear a letter last season, Laughton will slide into his typical top 9 role on the wing. 

Center – Noah Cates 

It’s hard to understate just how effective Noah Cates was for the Flyers in his full NHL campaign. He compiled 13 goals, 25 assists, and found himself a trusted two-way presence for John Tortorella. Beyond that he, like teammate Scott Laughton, he proved he can be relied upon in any situation.

Cates was even converted from wing to center in 2023. Significant because most young players have struggled to make that transition. Cates relished in it. The former Minnesota-Duluth product even recieved recognition for the Calder and Selke Trophy’s. The Calder of course for NHL’s rookie of the year and the Selke for league’s best defensive forward. 

Cates should fit nicely in the Flyers bottom six as their trusted third line pivot that can be used in all situations.

Right Wing – Tyson Foerster 

The 21-year-old Foerster earned an eight game cup-of-coffee with the Flyers last season. He flashed some real skill with three goals and four assists for seven points. I’d expect Foerster to make the full-time leap to the NHL in the 2023-24 season after being a year removed from an AHL All-Star appearance with Lehigh last year.

Foerster is the type of player who can simply score at any level. His wrist shot is lethal with time and space. He is also not afraid to use his 6-2 frame to get to prime scoring real estate either. Perhaps an underrated trait Foerster owns is that he’s also an adept distributor of the puck. 

The trio of Laughton, Cates, and Foerster could bring together a balanced two-way approach as well as some secondary scoring. While there is a glut of right wingers both on the roster and in the system, Foerster is probably the most NHL ready forward prospect that will be in camp. 

Keep it locked here at High and Wide Hockey, as next week we predict who will play with who on the Flyers fourth line.

MARK RAMOS IS A CONTRIBUTOR FOR HW HOCKEY
PHOTO BY MATT SLOCUM/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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