Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits
By Ryan Ritchie
Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits
After the recent signing of defenseman Radko Gudas, the Philadelphia Flyers look poised to be pressed up against the cap heading into free agency. The team still needs to re-sign a handful of players, one of which includes Brayden Schenn.
Once restricted free agents are signed, we can estimate that Philly will have anywhere between $5-7 million to spend. If Ron Hextall is looking for ways to trim salary, he has four defenders making at least $2 million dollars/year (five if you include Gudas). The team could even consider trading Matt Read (two years remaining, $3.625 million/year).
2015-16 was an interesting season for the Philadelphia Flyers. Hampered by injuries, a few unsung heroes managed to step up to keep the team afloat.
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Michal Neuvirth had a stellar year between the pipes (when healthy), and rookie defender Shayne Gostisbehere was a stud performer.
They finished 7th in the Eastern Conference (5th in the Metropolitan Division) with a record of 41-27-14 (96 points).
Given the new playoff format, the Flyers ended up claiming the second Wild-Card spot in the East. Unfortunately, they drew Presidents’ Trophy Winner Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and fell short in six games.
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Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency Outlook/Preview
Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $61,071,666
Number of Players Signed: 36
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Sam Gagner, Ryan White, Evgeny Medvedev, Ray Emery, Jason Labarbera, Tim Brent, Davis Drewiske, Aaron Palushaj
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Brayden Schenn, Nick Cousins, Jordan Weal, Brandon Manning, Petr Straka
Brayden Schenn is the only remaining unsigned player who will carry any type of significant weight against the cap. Given the Flyers immense amount of depth up the middle, Ron Hextall would be wise to at least explore the potential return trade value for Schenn.
Philly might also be wise to explore trading RFA D Brandon Manning (if a trade partner cannot be found for Andrew MacDonald).
Between Ivan Provorov, Samuel Morin, and Travis Sanheim, the Flyers have more than enough defensive depth.
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Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency Team Needs
Top-Six LW, Depth Forwards
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For numerous seasons, like Anaheim, the Flyers have got away without having natural top six LWers on the roster.
Instead, both teams have used natural center’s on the left side and had decent success. Top priority on July 1st should be to add one of the limited top-six LW options on the market.
Philadelphia has done a solid job drafting in recent years, but most of those quality forwards are still two or three years from having an NHL impact.
In the meantime, the Flyers can look to add a few depth forwards who can remain down in Lehigh Valley on the short-list for call ups to fill in for injuries.
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Potential Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency Targets
Top-Six LW: Milan Lucic, Andrew Ladd, Mikkel Boedker
Depth Forwards: Ben Smith, Tyler Biggs, Quinton Howden, Joe Whitney, Cole Schneider, Christian Thomas, Brian Gibbons, Mike Blunden, Rich Clune
*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com