The salary cap is expected to be around $82.5 million dollars. Barring a trade, the Flyers appear to have about $7 million to play around with.
A defense can carry a team. We’ve seen in the past where a team with a strong defense (90s Devils teams) can lift a team to championships. The Flyers have some good talent, but like a baseball team always needs bullpen pitching, hockey teams need reliable blue liners.
Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Cam York, and Rasmus Ristolainen are pretty much locks. Some of the other youth talent may finally step up. Can the Flyers add anyone to give them help?
Defenders
PK Subban
Ok, this is big time “pie-in-the-sky” dreaming here. He’d look great in Orange and Black. However, he’d probably cost the Flyers too much and they have other holes on offense to fill. They can’t dump all their money into him; especially considering his age. But if he’d come cheaper than what’s he’s made in the past, he’d be a great fit. His intensity is what this team could use.
Anton Stralman
Like Subban, he’s a little long in the tooth. But he could bring the veteran experience a corps of young defenders could rally behind. Of course, he could be a repeat of Keith Yandle and brings nothing to the table. He would be cheap if you need to grab a cheap defender.
John Klingberg
He can score and provides a power play attack this team needs. However, he could be a repeat of Erik Gustafsson whose only contributions were of the offensive type and was a HUGE defensive liability. He’s younger than the previous candidates and might cost more, but he’d be around longer too.
Justin Braun
He seemed to enjoy his time here in Philly. He was popular with fans and teammates. Is a reunion out of the question?
Ben Chiarot
The injury bug has grabbed him by the horns this year. But when healthy, he is a steady presence. He might be able to come here on a one-year “show me” deal.
Ian Cole
Cole has played a long time. He has played for Stanley Cup winners and contenders. He could be a great asset to this club and would cost far less than Subban or Klingberg would. He’s the steady type of defender you want on your team, much like Braun.
Robert Hagg
Speaking of reunions, Hagg is a free agent and is playing well for Florida after a trade from Buffalo. The Flyers miss his hard hitting style. Again, there is familiarity there. He might not be a bad option and could come at the right price.
Andrej Sekera
Sekera’s best days are far behind him. But if you need a seventh defender, he might not be a bad option. He’d be a better pickup than Stralman and would give you the added depth you need.