Free Agent Picture Becoming Clearer For Flyers as Cap Space Dwindles
Nicolas Aube-Kubel Has Been Signed, Leaving the Flyers with Less Than Eight Million in Cap Space.
Congratulations to Nicolas Aube-Kubel who impressed the Flyers’ front office enough to earn a two-year contract worth 2.15 million dollars ($1.075 million AAV). Aube-Kubel played well for the Flyers, primarily on the fourth line, scoring seven goals in thirty-six games this season. Aube-Kubel was a noticeable physical presence on the forecheck and even saw some time on the power play.
The signing now leaves the Flyers with only 7.835 million dollars remaining for their seven remaining free agents. Phil Myers and Robert Hagg, both restricted free agents, are almost certain to come back, though Hagg may opt for arbitration. Both players will likely exceed Aube- Kubel’s 1.075 million annual cap hit.
It is not clear how much interest Brian Elliott is getting from other teams, but he has gotten interest from Carter Hart. Hart has said that he would like to see Elliott rejoin the team for next season. With two unproven goalies knocking on the door in the minors, and the solid season Elliott had last year, Elliott resigning with the Flyers seemed to be a good idea for all parties involved.
The endorsement from Hart should seal the deal. Unfortunately, Hart’s comments may have undermined some (all) negotiating leverage that Chuck Fletcher might have had. My guess is Elliott’s camp, due to Hart’s endorsement, will be less open to a one-year deal with a pay cut. I think a creative two-year deal is in the works.
Hagg, Elliott and Myers figure to consume somewhere around six million dollars in cap space combined, assuming Hagg avoids arbitration, leaving the Flyers just under two-million dollars for Tyler Pitlick, Thompson, Grant and Nolan Patrick to split. I am not mathematician but it seems clear that at least two of them can’t come back.
Grant, who is hoping to cash in on a 15 goal season, seems certain to sign elsewhere. That kind of season should deserve more than the minimum salary. It is not hard to imagine a team with cap space paying Grant in the area of 2 million per season.
Pitlick will not initially garner the same level of interest as Grant because of his goal totals, but likely feels he deserves a raise for a pretty good season. It appears the Flyers can offer very little in terms of a raise. Any team that likes Pitlick, should be able to easily outbid the Flyers, as 1.3 million a season would be to rich for the Flyers. The longer we wait, the more likely a team will make Pitlick a better offer.
Could the Flyers get creative?
There are a few options the Flyers could explore. One would be to tender Patrick, make him an offer (105% of his last salary) that keeps his status as a restricted free agent, but then not sign him, at least not right away. If Patrick is not close to coming back, or needs to sit out another season, this may be a way for the Flyers to free up some space.
This would require some off the books gentleman’s agreements from the club and Patrick’s agent. These things are usually frowned upon by the league and the NHLPA, but sometimes they do happen.
The Flyers could trade to free up some cap space. I do get nervous any time Chuck Fletcher rolls the dice in a trade. The only two pieces I would want to trade would be Ghost or JVR, and just before free agency starts is not really known for being the time to extract maximum value. It would seem silly to discount an asset to make sure there is space for Pitlick, Thompson or Grant.
One thing is certain, barring a trade, the Flyers will lose at least a couple of players from the 2020 playoff run.