Flyers defenseman Cam York looking to build on encouraging offensive campaign: ‘There’s a lot there for me still’

Last season, for the first time in his career, Cam York posted a positive plus-minus. It wasn’t the largest number on the Flyers — that belonged to Noah Cates — but considering the defenseman averaged more than 22 minutes a night, a plus-5 isn’t too bad.

York, of course, always wants to work on his defensive game, but if his offense can take a step forward — without sacrificing or cheating the game in the Flyers’ end — it could be huge for both his game and the Orange and Black.

“I liked a lot of what I did last year, but I also feel like there’s a lot more there, and that’s on me to try to tap into those things and try and become the best guy I can be,” York told The Inquirer on Tuesday.

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“Obviously, you want to win [and] obviously, really want to make the playoffs again, but I guess for me, individually, continue to take steps. I feel like offensively, there’s a lot there for me still.”

Although the Californian has 23 goals and 103 points in 309 NHL regular-season games, his offensive game does feel untapped. York’s 103 career points rank third all-time among defensemen in U.S. National Team Development Program history, and his 65 points in his draft year (2018-19) are second among blueliners in a single season. Two years later, as a sophomore at the University of Michigan, he not only had 20 points in 24 games but captained USA Hockey to World Juniors gold, chipping in six points in seven games.

After refining his puck retrievals and outlet passes, York also spent time firing off one-timers from the point. His defensive partner and good buddy Jamie Drysdale fed him puck after puck that York shot off the pass following a spirited practice.

It was just another layer added to what the defenseman worked on over the summer to have an effective shot, whether on the ice or off it.

“A lot of footwork. A lot of it’s hands too; you’ve got to be able to stickhandle in tight quarters, tight spaces. So all that little stuff goes into try and creating more from the blue line,” said York, who also spent time focused on upper-body strength in the gym.

“Guys are really good at blocking shots nowadays,” he added. “So it’s a challenge to get pucks through, but I think that’s what makes it so fun ... [and] being able to try and change the angle of your shot or use your feet to get you into better ice,” York said. “You look at the top guys in the league that work the blue line — the [Cale] Makars and the [Quinn] Hugheses — they’re so good at creating space for themselves and giving them that extra foot that they need to get the puck through.”

York spent time watching video of the aforementioned guys and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who is also a left-handed shot. “He just generates so much from the blue line, so that’s definitely something that I want to try and get better at this year,” the Flyers defenseman said.

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According to Natural Stat Trick, York had 198 shot attempts and 89 shots on goal last season. His career high in shots was 134 in 2023-24, which also happened to be when he potted a career-best 10 goals and 30 points. His overall goal this season is to generate more chances and shots.

“I want to have five shots a game, if possible,” he said.

Another added boost? His shot from the blue line during overtime of Game 6 in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs sent the Pittsburgh Penguins golfing.

“That’s obviously probably one of the biggest goals of my career, so it should give you confidence, right?” he said. “Scoring a big goal in a huge game like that, that was obviously something I’ll never forget. But I feel really good going into the season. Healthy, mind’s in a really good spot, so just really excited to get going again with these guys and seeing what we can do.”

Flyers forward Denver Barkey left Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Capitals less than 30 seconds into the second period with a lower-body injury.

“Barks is day-to-day,” Tocchet said on Tuesday, noting he believed Barkey was getting evaluated as he spoke to the media.

Is it serious? “I don’t think it’s serious,” Tocchet added. “But ... I don’t want to put myself out here (saying it’s not serious) and next thing, he’s out for four months. But it’s not going to be out four. It’s just day to day. Trust me.”

Barkey appeared to sustain the injury in the first period with under 5 minutes to go. The 5-foot-10, 171-pound forward carried the puck down the right side in the Capitals zone and was crushed into the boards by 6-2, 215-pound defenseman Martin Fehérváry.

Barkey got up and seemed unfazed, but as he tried to take a few steps, it was apparent he was having issues. He quickly went to the bench but returned later in the period with just over a minute left in the first. The return was short-lived, as it was readily apparent he was still struggling to generate speed with crossovers.

Centering the top line between Zach Aston-Reese and Porter Martone, Barkey took the opening faceoff of the second and, again, when he tried to generate speed after swinging low in the Flyers’ zone, it looked uncomfortable. He pulled up once he hit the neutral zone, went to the bench, sat for a few seconds, and then went down the tunnel.

Goalie Dan Vladař will play the first two periods on Tuesday against the Bruins in Boston (7 p.m., NBCSP). Aleksei Kolosov will go in net for the third. ... Forwards Alex Bump, Jack Studnicka, Cole Knuble, Jett Luchanko, Matthew Gard, Carl Grundström, and Aston-Reese, and defensemen David Jiříček, Hunter McDonald, Ty Murchison, and Oliver Bonk will play for the second straight game. ... Washington Capitals forward Andrew Cristall was fined $2,250.86, the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, for cross-checking Flyers defenseman Hunter McDonald on Monday night. Cristall received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for cross-checking McDonald in the face after the blueliner hit and knocked down Ryan Leonard along the boards.