Flyers Offseason: UFA Targets

Tyler Pitlick

Since leaving the Flyers, Pitlick hasn’t had a consistent home. From Dallas, to Philly, to Arizona to Calgary and finally to Montreal, He has not had a minute to settle into a single city.

A hard playing forward who puts his body on the line, Pitlick was one of my favorite depth players during that 2019-2020 season. The Grant-Raffl-Pitlick line was one disruptive line and I think playing him with Zack MacEwen and either Scott Laughton or Patrick Brown at center would make a monstrous fourth line that would grind your opponent down. Especially if you get Barry Trotz, Pitlick would be the ideal player in this system.

With one goal and four assists in 39 games, Tyler Pitlick will come cheap, especially if you give him a multiyear contract. 1.5 to 1.75 AAV for three or four years secures you Pitlick and his tenacious game that he brings.

Nick Cousins

Nick Cousins was always a solid depth piece and needed more time develop, time he wasn’t given, mainly because of the strained relationship between him and Dave Hakstol. There were rumblings that Cousins did not get along with Hakstol. While this could be true, Cousins went on to become a valuable piece to different teams.

The Flyers have had issues at center and signing Cousins to be the fourth line center would help not only the depth but the PK unit as well. He is also a really cheap option to bring to town as well.

Cousins had 28 blocked shots and 66 hits this season. Offensively, he had nine goals and 13 assists as well. Playing DeBoer or Trotz’s system would be super ideal for Cousins. You could sign him to a two-year 1M AAV contract and have him until one of your prospects are ready to go.

Derick Brassard

I don’t have much of a reason to bring Brassard back except for the FAB line. I loved Brassard and love what he brings. A guy like him is usually brought in when a cup run is under way. While Brassard is cheap as well, he is a great option if you are strapped with the salary cap.

In his 31 games in Philly, Brassard scored six goals and tallied 10 assists for 16 points. He was also a +6, which was rare for this Flyers team. In 15 games with the Oilers, Brassard scored two goals and had 1 assist. With about a 50% FO% as well, the Flyers could use considering their faceoff loses after losing both Giroux and him to trades and Couturier to injury.

Brassard will most likely sign a veteran minimum contract in the NHL, and I would love for him to come back here. My only feeling with him is to recreate the Farabee-Atkinson-Brassard line and let them go to work on what we the most balanced line for the Flyers all last season.

Gerald Mayhew

We all know about Gerry Mayhew and his amazing story about working his way from the ECHL to playing with the Flyers. I like Mayhew and I think he is a great depth player to have. Not all your signings need to be glamorous but this one brings back a guy who works his tail off game after game to prove that he is an NHL talent.

A guy who plays the game the right way and approaches it the right way. Mayhew made the most out of the time he was given in the NHL. While he was on the Phantoms, he was tearing it up before he got the call and I felt like it came a little later then it should have.

The Flyers put him on waivers, and they knew he would be picked up, but these things happen in order for some of the young prospects to come in. Mayhew scored 11 goals and got one assist in 40 games while also throwing 58 hits. With some speed and skill, Mayhew comes equipped with a great shot as well. Adding him back to the depth of this team would go a long way, especially for cheap and for a couple years. I would say about 950K AAV for one years on a one-way contract would get him to sign.