With the dust settled from the Ryan Ellis trade, the Flyers picked up two players. They also freed up about $7 million in salary cap space. That's not half bad. That's future money they can use to sign someone to an extension. It's also money that they can use right now to sign a current free agent.
Indications from the past weekend are kind of clear: Rich Tocchet is not 100% satisfied with the Flyers' prospect pool to start the season with them on the roster. While many of the forwards, outside of Nikita Grebenkin and Jett Luchanko, are not ready yet, the defensive guys are a bit more concerning. Helge Grans and Emil Andrae, both of whom have had NHL call-ups in the past, were a bit disappointing in the preseason.
Now, before we dive in, we have to be honest, as far as defenders go, it's scraping the bottom of the barrel at this point. You're probably not going to find a game changer. There are a few decent names at forward, but that is a spot that the Flyers don't necessarily need help with at the moment.
So, with that money, is there anybody the Flyers could decide to take a chance on and sign to a one-year (or longer) deal? Let's take a look at who is available.
TJ Brodie
Brodie was a long-time stalwart with the Flames. He was never an all-star, but he was dependable enough to stick around for ten years in Calgary and then four years in Toronto. Then last year, he went to Chicago and, like many recent players in recent years, had a bad season and was bought out of his two-year deal.
He's 35. However, he could be a great mentor for a team that is trending younger on defense. His 6'2" frame kind of fits the size the Flyers are looking for. He might be able to come in on the cheap and could be flipped at the deadline to a contender looking for some defensive help for a playoff run.
Also sad to say, he's the best of the defensive lot with Matt Grzelcyk signing a PTO deal with Chicago on Sunday.
Jarred Tinordi
Next up is Jarred Tinordi. He's been around; six teams in nine years. His 6'6" size is probably what keeps him employed. What is keeping him unsigned is a lower-body injury that kept him sidelined after February of last season.
If he is healthy, he might be worth a look as a defensive depth piece. If the Flyers are forced to use him every day, it means they could be in trouble. At least he'd come cheap.
Jani Hakanpää
Hakanpää played in just two games last year with the Maple Leafs after a knee injury killed his season. He has expressed a desire to return there and did skate in a charity game in August. So, at least he is skating.
He's 6'7", but 33, and someone that age doesn't return from injuries like that too often. He is a big guy and could be fun to see on the ice. If he passes a physical, he might be useful.
Ben Harpur
Harpur is currently unsigned. He had played with the Rangers, but that was two years ago. Since then, he has played for the Hartford Wolf Pack. He's 30 years old and 6'6". Outside of being a depth piece, there is nothing more to say about him.
Jack Roslovic
If the Flyers need a forward, Roslovic is your guy. Still not sure why he isn't signed to a team yet. After all, he scored 22 goals last year with 17 assists. He can play center and right wing. As a center, he won 54.1% of his faceoffs. That's decent.
Both Edmonton and Carolina reportedly offered him one-year deals, and he rejected them both. Maybe he wants more years. Beggars can't be choosers at this point. If the Flyers need a guy at center, it might not be a bad thing to take a look at him. He's the best forward on the market at present, although forwards are not really what Philly needs at present.
Andreas Athanasiou
Athanasiou is such an enigma. He's a former 30-goal scorer. He scored 20 goals three seasons ago. But injuries in Chicago have taken a toll. He is wildly inconsistent. Yet he is also just 30 years old and could recapture some magic.
A cheap contract might be enough to lure him to Philly, and a good year could allow him to get a better one next year. He can play center and left wing. If the Flyers get some injuries, he could be worth taking a chance on. He may also be someone that Rick Tocchet could bust back into shape.
Brock McGinn
At one point, McGinn was a solid, reliable third-fourth line center for the Hurricanes. After leaving the Canes, injuries took hold of him (are you beginning to see the pattern here?) In fact, he is recovering from ACL reconstructive knee surgery. He isn't ready to play yet, but could be ready in late fall.
Again, he'd be a solid depth piece and, if he can play, could provide good veteran leadership to the team. He could also be someone, if healthy, at the trade deadline, they could deal to a contender. Although, to be honest with you, like a lot of these injury reclamations, don't expect much back in return outside of a lower-tier draft pick.
Matt Nieto
Once upon a time, Nieto was a decent bottom-six forward. Injuries have gutted him over the last two seasons in Pittsburgh. He still wants to play.
The left winger still wants to play. He'll be 33 in November. If the Flyers needed someone like him that badly, it would be because they don't trust their prospects at all. He might not be a bad depth piece, but I'd stash him in the AHL first to make sure his knee could hold up.