John Tortorella, Philadelphia Flyers head into a season of low expectations

Philadelphia Flyers have a lot of high expectations for this season. The team is on its third coach in the last year. Two trainers sued the team ownership group, the captain was traded and the franchise goalie is cooperating with an NHL investigation into sexual assault accusations. Top center Sean Couturier is out with another serious injury. The biggest acquisitions in this summer's offseason were celebrity chefs lured to lend their pedigrees to new restaurants at the renovated Wells Fargo Center.

Tortorella was hired in June. He was fired in May 2021 after six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flyers didn't make a big splash in free agency. They signed local favorite Johnny Gaudreau and acquired defenseman Tony DeAngelo.

Philadelphia Flyers are trying to re-sign Travis Sanheim. Sanhiem had 31 points in 80 games last season and won the team's award for top defenseman.

Couturier underwent back surgery in February and missed the rest of the season. He signed an eight-year, $62 million contract extension in 2021. Couturie suffered another back injury and will be re-evaluated during training camp.

Ryan Ellis is injured and not expected to play this season. He played in only four games last year. Ellis has 275 points in 565 games and is signed through the 2026-27 season, but he might not play at all this year, if he does play.

The NHL is investigating a sexual assault accusation against members of Canada's 2018 World Juniors team. Several players are in the NHL, including Flyers goalie Carter Hart. Hart has declined to comment on the case.