The Philadelphia Flyers began the season with an unruly gaggle of defensemen. They had NHL veterans Mark Streit, Nick Schultz, Luke Schenn, Andrew MacDonald and Michael Del Zotto, players fighting to break through like Radko Gudas and Evgeny Medvedev, and looming prospect Shayne Gostisbehere. Brandon Manning made it 9 bodies, and he carried the least gravitas.
Somewhat against the odds, Manning earned his way into a regular roster spot from this crowd. With Michael Del Zotto out injured, Manning was top-6 regular down the stretch and in the playoffs.
This was the first season that Manning was an NHL regular.