Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency: Addressing Left Wing
Philadelphia Flyers Free Agency: Addressing Left Wing
Now that the Flyers have found their coach of the future in Dave Hakstol, General Manager Ron Hextall must put acquiring productive left wing talent on the top of his to-do list this offseason. Many may argue that defense is Philadelphia’s biggest area of concern; but this is just not true. The Flyers have an abundance of defensemen; and although some of them will be traded away, the six defenders that will take the ice at the start of next season for Philadelphia are already a part of the franchise. The orange and black have a small number of players who play left wing both comfortably and affectively. Hextall will be searching the free agent pool to fill the voids on his roster; but he will not have an easy time finding what he is looking for.
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On the current roster, the Flyers only have two players who are natural left-wingers. Although they have been impressive in black and orange, it is impossible for Michael Raffl and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare to play on two lines each. There is no doubt that both Raffl and Bellemare will be playing left wing for the Flyers next season; but that means that there are still at least two more left wing spots to fill.
Due to the new direction the team is taking and lack of cap-space, the Flyers are looking to acquire a specific kind of player either through free agency or trade. When looking through the left-wingers that will be available through free agency, there are very few that will spark the interest of Ron Hextall. The player on the top of that list is Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey. He has proven to be a valuable player and is just entering the best years of his career. Philadelphia can only hope that Beleskey’s asking price is in their price range.
May 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Matt Beleskey (39) moves the puck against Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) during the third period in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
After Beleskey, there are slim pickings on realistic options at left wing for the Flyers. Philadelphia can always send an offer sheet and a prayer in the direction of restricted free agent Carl Hagelin; but one would imagine that the Rangers would match any offer made to the speedy youngster. The rest of the free agent left-wingers available would not solve any of the problems the Flyers are facing at that position long term. In addition, we all know that Hextall is not going to throw a large sum of money at somebody that doesn’t deserve it just to fill a roster spot.
The Flyers must be hopeful that they will be able to find a worthy left-winger through the trade market. Philadelphia has plenty of players they are willing to part ways with, and it is possible that they can receive either an established left wing player or prospect in return. In addition, Hextall could be willing to part with a few of the ten-million draft picks he has in this year’s draft if the right offer was presented to him.
Although it is unclear how the Flyers will do it, there is no denying that they need talent to fill the vacant spots at the left wing position on their roster. Flyers Nation must have faith that Ron Hextall has a plan, and he will accomplish what needs to be done.
Next: Shedding the Dead Weight on Defense