Erik Gustafsson signs one year deal with Flyers

The Flyers finally made in a move in bring in an NHL defensemen, signing Erik Gustafsson.

It might not necessarily be a move to replace Matt Niskanen, but the Flyers did add another defenseman into the mix. They have signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year contract. The deal will pay him $3M this upcoming season.

And no, this is not the same Gustafsson that once played for the Flyers before. This one was most recently in Calgary Flames organization. He also spent time with the Chicago Blackhawks as well.

Combined, he posted six goals and 29 points between the two organizations. He also recorded four assists for the Flames during the postseason. Gustafsson is one season removed from posting 17 goals and 60 posts so the Flyers could be hoping he regains that form.

He is a good offensive defenseman who could help on a power play as well. He is also strong at exiting and entering the zone with the puck. Gustafsson provides more defensive depth and comes in on a cost-effective contract.

Placing him with a teammate who is more defensive minded could end up working out before for the Flyers. The numbers aren’t pretty no matter which way you look at them. While he has a career 51.7 CF% and a 2.9 relCF%, his numbers recently have been far below that.

So finding out the right way to deploy him and who to put him with can help possibly get him back to who he was a few years prior.

And this might not be the last move that the team makes either. They still don’t necessarily have a replacement for Niskanen.

Fletcher spoke recently about how Shayne Gostisbehere is familiar with Ivan Provorov and playing in the top-six. But will they bank on him coming back to form enough to play that high in the lineup?

The Flyers have been patient thus far and could be waiting to see some other names on the market. The star prize would be Alex Pietrangelo of course, but they likely are looking for a a bit more under what he’s looking at.