Flyers young promising forward Joel Farabee who’s 6yr 5M (AAV) contract is set to go into affect at the start of the 22-23 NHL season underwent successful disk replacement surgery in the cervical region this morning (Fri., June24) with the recovery time of the surgery being estimated at 3-4 months. Farabee becomes just the 3rd player in the NHL to have had this type of surgery the other two players are Jack Eichel, and Tyler Johnson. This is less then an ideal situation for everyone involved as the Flyers begin a offseason where they have publicly stated they would be retooling on the fly and turn things round after finishing 29th out of 32 teams it goes with out saying that they have a tough road ahead .

As if there was not enough question marks around how the Flyers could pull off a massive turn around from last season to this season we have been asking ourselves who can they add to the roster? Who needs to go? Who do we need more out of that we have not gotten enough from?

With all these questions looming the Flyers find themselves with problem that when thinking about the moves that need to be made get swept under the rug but could have as much a impact as anything else.

If your thinking about who the most important players who will be returning for the Flyers next season one could argue its Sean Couturier, Kevin Hayes, Joel Farabee, and Ryan Ellis. Now maybe these 4 are not the most important but they are undoubtable up there on the list. Three out of the four of them are 30yrs old or older and coming off concerning injuries especially given the age of these players.

Lets start with Farabee who is probably the most promising Flyers young forward which why the Flyers rightfully signed him to his new contract extension. While I’m not that concerned long term about Joel because he is very young at just 22 years of age potentially not being able to play until possibly mid November given that he will miss most of training camp is a bummer because he is such a key piece to the teams present and future.

Sean Couturier the Flyers 1C the Selke award winner is without a doubt the Flyers most important forward because he is asked to do so much from shutting down opposing teams top line while at the same time being asked to produce offense at a high level. Coots who himself is coming back from back surgery is expected to be ready to go for training camp at 100% seems like he will be fine. On the other hand at 30 yrs old and have a history of back injuries now his health situation is also less then ideal.

Kevin Hayes who had multiple core muscle surgeries last season in what was a frustrating year where he was in and out of the line up because he tweaked his injury a couple times did finish out the year which is a good sign. The Flyers lack of center depth slots Hayes in at 2C currently. Your top 2 centers coming of arguably the most nagging injuries of their careers is something to keep an eye of and it goes without saying getting center depth is on the long list of things the Flyers need to address.

Ryan Ellis, now here is the injury that looks the bleakest. Ryan Ellis as we know was acquired from The Nashville Predators in exchange for Phil Meyers and Nolan Patrick in what was on paper a steal given Meyers and Patrick's in ability to stay in the line up and live up to standards. What we did not envision is that when it was all said and done Ellis would only suit up for 4 games for the orange and the black and to this day as serious question marks surrounding him and his core muscle injury to the point we are sure if he will be able to play this upcoming season. For a player who was brought here to be our #1 defensemen and raise the play of Ivan Provorov and give much needed stability to a defense that has struggled for what seems like a decade now.

The Flyers need more then just the additions they make to pay dividends for them they need all of the in-house issues to pan out too from bouncing back from the injuries we explored to getting more out disappointing players there is no rest for the weary.

• Kevin McHugh -Olde City Sports Network/Jawn Street Hockey/The Dusty Beauts podcasts

PHOTO CREDIT- Matt Slocum, AP