With the deadline to qualify restricted free agents passing, Jakob Pelletier will become an unrestricted free agent. And while it may seem like the Flyers are losing an asset for nothing, it was the right move.
Pelletier came over in the trade of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. The Flyers were excited about his potential and eager to see what he could do in a new place. But John Tortorella wasn’t as eager to give him the chance to prove himself.
Stapled on the fourth line more often than note, Pelletier struggled to stand out. When you’re consistently playing with Nic Deslauriers and Rodrigo Abols, it’s hard to find the opportunities. Sometimes player fewer than 10 minutes, Pelletier didn’t have the chance to show the Flyers what he could truly do.
Once Tortorella was fired and Brad Shaw was brought in, Pelletier was given a chance higher in the lineup and more offensive-minded players. He showed the flashes of the player the Flames hoped they were getting in the former first rounder. He had six points in the final 10 games after two points in 15 games.
A qualifying offer for Pelletier would’ve only cost the Flyers $840K. So money wasn’t the reason. It goes deeper than that, and it was the right call for Philadelphia to make.
The Flyers have numerous forward prospects in the pipeline that are close to breaking into the NHL. Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Nikita Grebenkin are just a few of them.
Aside from Pelletier, the Flyers have three wingers on their roster 5’10” and under. That’s Matvei Michkov, Bobby Brink, and Travis Konecny. And not to mention they have been rumored to sign the 5’8” Maxim Shabanov. While each of the above players are skilled in their own way, having a team compiled of that many small wingers isn’t ideal. The Panthers have shown the importance of having more than a few big, bruising forwards who can impose their will.
If Pelletier had popped more during his time in Philadelphia or had been given more of a chance to shine early on, this could be another story. There’s always a chance that the Flyers could let him explore the market and then bring him back in on a cheap deal.
The move wouldn’t make sense, though, given the above reasons. Pelletier is still young enough to find his way in the NHL. It just won’t be in Philadelphia.