Free agency is often about which team can land the biggest name. But for some, it’s about adding solid names that can help the team take the next step.
For the Flyers, they aren’t going to get the Mitch Marner’s or the Sam Bennett’s. Anything can happen in free agency, but there shouldn’t be an expectation of going all in yet.
There are players approaching free agency who had solid seasons and would add plenty of scoring without costing near as much as some of the top names. Those are the players the Flyers should have their eyes on if they dip their toes into free agency.
Mikael Granlund
Granlund isn’t the number one center that the Flyers are looking for, but he provides plenty of experience and adds a scoring touch to a team in need of offense. He was one of the Stars best players during the postseason.
He started off the season well with the Sharks, posting 15 goals and 45 points in 52 games. After a trade to Dallas, he added seven goals and 21 points in 31 games. That’s 60+ points in back to back seasons. He may be on the older side, but his production has only gotten better recently.
Ryan Donato
The Blackhawks are going to do what they can to re-sign Donato before he hits free agency. But if they can’t, the Flyers should strike. Coming off his best season in the NHL, Donato proved that he’s only gotten better with age. He’ll command more than the $2 million he made the last two seasons, but not nearly enough to break the bank.
Donato shattered career-highs with 31 goals and 62 points in 80 games, the most he’s played in a season. 14 of those points came on the power play, something the Flyers desperately need help with. If he’s putting up these numbers on a last place team, imagine what he’d do on a better one.
Pius Suter
Suter is not a flashy name by any means. But he had his best season under Rick Tocchet and provides positional versatility as a center and wing. He’s been good for 14 or more goals in every season, topping 25 this past year. He nearly reached the 50-point mark for the first time.
He filled in as the Canucks top-line center late in the season due to injuries and J.T. Miller’s departure. He showed he can handle himself with more responsibility. Suter had 12 points in the final 12 games of the season, playing over 20 minutes in nine of those games. Like Granlund, he wouldn’t be the top option, but if he can replicate the success from last season, the Flyers will get a solid option down the middle.