Philadelphia Flyers Offseason: Next Moves

Philadelphia Flyers Offseason: Next Moves

Free agency begins on July 1^st and the Flyers are in a situation they are not familiar with. They have cap space and flexibility after Ron Hextall showed why he is becoming one of the best General Managers in the league right in front of our eyes. The amount of cap space at this point in the Flyers offseason comes as a pleasant surprise, as no one had anticipated Hextall to pull off a trade involving the rights to Chris Pronger’s contract along with Nicklas Grossmann to the Arizona Coyotes for Sam Gagner and a conditional pick (either a 2016 4^th round selection or a 2017 3^rd round selection).

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The Coyotes are a team who are looking to reach the cap floor, while the Flyers are trying to get under the cap ceiling. This deal allows both teams to satisfy their needs. The Coyotes get to include Pronger’s $4.9 million cap hit to help reach their goal of spending the league minimum, $52.8 million, while only paying Pronger the $575,000 per year for two years that he is owed. While also acquiring Nicklas Grossmann and his $3.5 million cap hit to help bring a veteran presence, and not much else, to the Coyotes blueline and protect goalie Mike Smith.

Apr 7, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Arizona Coyotes center Sam Gagner (9) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Flyers will get back Sam Gagner who carries a $3.3 million cap hit for only one more season. In the end, the Flyers will have two options, keep Gagner and free up $5.1m from the trade, or buyout the 25-year-old to free up $7.3m in cap space. The decision to keep Gagner or not, will come down to Hextall’s discussions with pending UFA’s the next three days, as well as their current roster situation. If they can find a scoring winger for a serviceable price, they can afford to buy out Gagner. If they do not, then Gagner can very well be sticking around for the upcoming season as a second-line center, or attempt a switch to the wing for a top-nine role. If the Flyers are able to move another hefty contract like Lecavalier or Luke Schenn, the chance of Gagner staying increases; as well as the chance of bringing in another skilled winger for a reasonable price.

I have begun to open up to the idea of keeping Gagner and hope he gets a chance with the Flyers. For his cap hit, and contract only being for one year, it is a gamble that is worth the risk. I see Gagner as a player who can have a similar season to MDZ last season. A younger guy who has not consistently lived up to their potential that could flourish in a more skilled lineup. The gamble opens up many opportunities next season, if Gagner plays well and the Flyers are out of contention they can trade him at the trade deadline for an attractive prospect or pick. The Flyers could also retain Gagner if he has a productive season, helping solidify the top two lines while playing with guys like Simmonds, B. Schenn, Read, and Couts. He could also help guys like Couts and B. Schenn reach their offensive potential while playing along side them and adding the extra skill to their lines that the Flyers have been searching for.

Mar 4, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Michael Frolik (67) battles for the puck with Ottawa Senators forward Erik Condra (22) during the third period at MTS Centre. Ottawa Senators win 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on the outcome of the Gagner situation, it will help determine the rest of the offseason plan. If Gagner is bought out, I’d assume the Flyers were unable to move a guy like Lecavalier or L. Schenn, and did not buy Vinny out. In this scenario, I would imagine the Flyers decided to look elsewhere on offense and prefer to spend money on a skilled winger to compete and play top 6 minutes, such as Michael Frolik. However, the price of any skilled free agent will be extremely inflated due to the market that is created during free agency. That’s why keeping Ganger at $3.3m for one season may be the best decision.

Regardless of what happens to Gagner, the Flyers will be looking for a backup goaltender. Don’t anticipate any big moves here as Hextall showed this weekend at the draft that he would not spend any of his assets to attain a backup net minder. Rather he will wait for free agency to open and sign a guy to a similar contract as Emery in years past, around $1M. Some available goalies may be Fasth, Ramo, Neuvirth, Enroth, Griess, Lindback and Emery in no particular order. But it will be hard to attract some of these free agent goalies as they may not want to come to a situation where they cannot compete to be the number-one guy.

There will be no need to discuss free agent defensemen, except for the Flyers’ own in Michael Del Zotto because Hextall already has too many on the roster; and will be looking to deal one or two more if the right deal comes along to help free cap and create space for a prospect who plays his way onto the roster in training camp.

Apr 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (15) moves the puck up ice during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

The hope for Hextall has to be another deal before July 1^st that will allow him to free up cap space to keep Gagner and add another skilled winger at an affordable price and term. He will also hope to find a solution to the Lecavalier problem, whether it be a mutual contract termination or a package deal to get him out of town. Hextall will be very busy from now until July 1^st, and I expect another deal to be coming Monday or Tuesday, in the form of a trade or a buyout.

Next: Flyers First Round Draft Grade

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