Important Upcoming Dates for Flyers Fans
The Stanley Cup Finals start tonight and the way these playoffs have been going, it looks like it is going to be an entertaining one. But for Flyers fans there are other things that are worth looking forward to. So, when are those things and what can we look forward to?
Stanley Cup Finals
Again, the Finals start tonight. And while the Flyers aren’t in it, there are several former Flyers who have been big heroes this offseason like Sergei Bobrovsky, Nick Cousins, and Radko Gudas. And besides the excitement that you see on the ice, a major part of the Flyers’ future will take place after Lord Stanley’s Cup has been lifted high and taken its victory lap around the rink.
Trading Begins
As soon as the postseason is over, teams can begin trading again. Technically, any team that did not qualify for the playoffs or is already out of the playoffs can begin moving players around. However, most teams begin to wait until after the playoffs are over. That way they can see who is available from all teams and what sort of market is there from all teams.
The Flyers have some people who are probably available. Allegedly, the Flyers have been gauging the market for Tony DeAngelo. Other players who could be on the move could include Kevin Hayes and Ivan Provorov. But with new management, anyone is up for grabs. Let’s face it…when you are a seventh place team, anyone can be bought on the Flyers for the right price. And if you believe the rumors, that could also include Carter Hart.
Salary Cap Revealed
Sometime after the Stanley Cup Finals ends, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will reveal what the new salary cap is going to be. It is expected to go up. How much? Nobody knows for sure. Rumors are that it could be as low as $1 million but could rise as much as $4 million. And that’s important because…
Free Agency Begins
Mark your calendars. Free agency begins in the NHL on July 1 at noon. Now before then, teams can trade a player, usually for a low draft pick, to another team to have exclusive trading rights. The Flyers have done this before with both Ilya Bryzgalov and Hayes.
So, with a higher salary cap given and potential trades made, it is possible the Flyers could make a splash in the free agency market. It’s also possible that the Flyers could use the money saved from trades to re-sign and extend several players.
NHL Scouting Combine
In you are in Upstate New York from Sunday, June 4 through Saturday, June 10, head to Buffalo’s Harbor Center. The top NHL prospects will be showcasing their skills and participating in mock games. Why is this important? Because…
NHL Draft
The NHL Draft will be held on June 28 and 29. This year, it is in Nashville. The future of the Flyers is in the hands of Daniel Briere and company. This first draft is an important step forward and one that will have major consequences for the team.
Based on the draft, we can see where the Flyers may go in free agency. They may not want to be hampered down with a long term contract if they find their next defensive or forward star of the future. Trades they make make before the draft may move them up or back in the draft. Those trades will also affect free agency as well.
As you can see, the Flyers’ summer is just beginning. It looks as if it will be interesting. Stay tuned to see what the Orange and Black will be up to.