There are 11 forwards under contract for next season. Only two of their deals end after next season. Four contracts end in two years while four otherwise are 4+ years away. This doesn’t even count Nolan Patrick who remains on injured reserve at the moment. He is expected to return at some point next season.
So things are extremely tight if you add in his almost $875K to the list.
One Year Remaining
Scott Laughton ($2.3M)
Michael Raffl ($1.6M)
Laughton has emerged in recent years as a viable bottom-six option who can step up in the lineup if need be. He took a while to solidify a role in the NHL. His combination of offense and snarl gives the Flyers exactly what they needed out of the bottom of the lineup.
Raffl is pretty much the same type of player as he can be used anywhere in the lineup. He is able to provide whatever the team needs for him. And at such a low cost to the Flyers, he is the perfect option to keep around.
Two Years Remaining
Claude Giroux ($8.25M)
Sean Couturier ($4.33M)
Nicolas Aube-Kubel ($1.08M)
When you talk or even think about the Flyers, Giroux is one of the first names that comes to mind. The long-time captain has been with the team since being drafted in 2006. He may be towards the backend of his career, but he still provides value on the team. It just may not be what it used to be.
Couturier has become one of the best centers in the game. His recent Selke Trophy win solidified that if it wasn’t already known. His contract has become extremely valuable to the team since he has only gotten better since signing. It should continue to provide the Flyers with value for the remaining years of his deal.
Aube-Kubel finally found his spot on the roster this past season, earning himself a new multi-year deal. If he can find the net on a more consistent basis, the sky could be the limit. He already has the motor and tenacity on his side.
Three Years Remaining
James van Riemsdyk ($7M)
Oskar Lindblom ($3M)
While he has been towards the top in goals on the team the last two seasons, the Flyers were certainly hoping for more when they brought van Riemsdyk back into the fold. They’ll need him to step up to make that contract look even remotely good. If not, they could take a chance and expose him to Seattle.
Lindblom was well on his way to a career season when a Ewing’s Sarcoma diagnosis ended his season in December. Now cancer-free over a year later, he is expected to once again play a big role on the team. Getting back to the game he loves is what’s most important, though.
Four or More Remaining
Jakub Voracek ($8.25M through 2024-25)
Kevin Hayes ($7.14M through 2026-27)
Travis Konecny ($5.5M through 2025-26)
Voracek has his fair share of criticism thrown his way, but he has been a consistent contributor for the most part during his time. Signing a similar deal to that of Giroux, Voracek does need to prove that he is still worth that money.
Fans around the NHL balked at the contract Hayes signed in the offseason. Who’s laughing now? Hayes earned every bit of that contract after his first season in Philadelphia. The hope is that he can continue to provide the team with that kind of contribution.
Despite Konecny taking until training camp to sign his deal, he has earned the five-year deal. At least after his regular season. His career-year didn’t follow him into the playoffs, something he’ll learn as he matures.
Total Cap Space: $49,401,190 ($50,275,315 with Patrick)
This is almost certainly the group of forwards the Flyers will be taking into battle for the next few seasons. There is a good mix of veteran and young players that make up the forward group. If the latter can continue to develop, the Flyers shouldn’t have anything to worry about moving forward.