Philadelphia Flyers Prepare For Approaching Trade Deadline
The Philadelphia Flyers have less than two weeks to address the elephant in the room.
Will they be buyers at the trade deadline? Or, will there be an attempt at a last ditch effort of the bloated contracts on hand?
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers Numbers (UFA & RA 2017-2018)
The Flyers have 7 Unrestricted Free Agents for the upcoming 2017-2018 season. (2 Forwards: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare & Chris VandeVelde, 3 Defensemen: Mark Streit, Michael Del Zotto & Nick Schultz, 2 Goalies: Steve Mason & Michal Neuvirth) The mathematical breakdown is as follows for the cap space created from each positional group: Forwards = $1,425,000, Defense = $11,375,000, Goalies = $5,725,000, Total = $18,525,000
Restricted free agents, who are arbitration eligible players and fall under the organizations ability to make a qualifying offer, are in fewer with Roman Lyubimov ($925,000), Nick Cousins ($840,000), Jordan Weal ($650,000) & Shayne Gostisbehere ($925,000) still under wing.
Living In The Now / Building For The Future
The team should obviously be seeking any resolution to stop the bleeding when it comes to a lack of scoring. Wayne Simmonds can’t be the only guy to rely on night in and night out. For the Flyers brass to turn things around there are plenty of names above to hear offers on. Before their contracts come to a finish, Mark Streit, Michael Del Zotto and either goaltender (think expansion draft) could make great trade bait to teams making that final playoff push.
Also, the neutral zone turnovers, defensive-zone devastation, numerous odd-man rushes given up and lack of discipline are still evident. In Ghost’s performance last year we can see how one player addition to the lineup could spark a regeneration.
Could we an offensive progression coming from youth once again in offensive minded players like an Anthony Duclair or even a Gabriel Landeskog?
GM Ron Hextall has almost $19 million in salary in pending unrestricted free agents this summer. This is enough room to end the standings limbo by the March 1st deadline. Though, the results could prove themselves valuable in a much longer race than this years sprint into the playoffs.
Conclusion
In summation, we are looking at one of the most challenging positions for this team to be in. Not quite a clear-cut playoff contender, but, not quite able to obtain a top 5 pick in the draft.
Here’s to the anticipation in seeing what exact direction this team will be headed.