Right now, the Flyers have just under $19 million in salary cap space this offseason. Depending on how some things go, they could have another two million ready to use. Then, you have the inevitable trades that could add or take away from the salary cap pool, depending on what happens and what these trades entail.
More importantly, for the first time since the Obama Administration, the Flyers aren't handicapped by the salary cap. They won't have to see every top tier, middle tier, and third tier player get signed while hoping they can get some use out of some guy who was on the scrap heap; usually an over-the hill/oft injured veteran OR some former first/second round bust that about three other teams have already give up on.
The temptation would be to spend like crazy. Try to snag the top guys (Mitch Marner, Aaron Ekblad, John Tavares) or steal some RFAs from some cash-strapped teams, and build up. Going after the top-name free agents could impact the Flyers by putting them right back into the same salary cap problems they're trying to dig themselves out of. It has taken the Flyers years to get out of this, and they don't want to jump back into it.
Still, roughly $18 million is a lot of money. You could sign a top tier free agent, get a mid level one, and still have some money left over. That money that is left over is going to be important in the years go come.
Projecting Out
Next season is potentially a big one for the Flyers. There are a lot of contracts that could be coming off the books, which would help with the next round of free agency, and a lot of guys that will need to be re-signed. Likewise, there will be some solid guys becoming free agents (Connor McDavid, Artemi Panarin, Cale Makar, Sergei Bobrovsky).
Over the last few years, the Flyers haven't had any big-name free agents walk. Either they've already traded them away (Claude Giroux), re-signed them (Travis Konecny), or just bought them out (Kevin Hayes). Next year could be different.
Next year could be the last year for the following players: Nic Deslauriers, Ryan Poehling, Rodrigo Abols, Bobby Brink, Jamie Drysdale, Egor Zamula, and Emil Andrae. The latter four will be RFAs. Likewise, both Ivan Fedotov and Sam Ersson would each have to have their contracts renewed, with Ersson being an RFA.
In 2027-28, the Flyers have a few guys they will also have to look at extending. Matvei Michkov and Tyson Foerster would both have deals that expire. Garnet Hathaway's contract would also be over, and he would likely be moving on.
We have no idea how much the cap will go up over the next few seasons. We know that Michkov would be earning himself a larger contract than his $950K. If Foerster sticks around, he will probably cash in on a bigger deal also.
The Key to Success
As Philly fans, we've seen the key to success when it comes to roster building. It's called the Philadelphia Eagles, and Howie Roseman. Briere needs to spend a week with him and see how they manipulate the cap.
Briere can't hinder this team by blowing all of the cap money, leaving the Flyers screwed over for the next seasons. If they do that, they are back where they have been for the last decade. The Flyers also don't want to block any prospects that could be ready to move up soon (Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko, Denver Barkey).
In the NHL, you don't win championships by buying all the top free agents. It doesn't work that way. You build up a core with the draft. You bring in free agents as "the missing pieces" you need to take to get to that next level.
While it is nice to bring in a high-priced free agent, you have to make sure that they will fit the culture of the locker room and the coach. Secondly, you can't cripple yourself by signing someone just for the sake of signing somone to a long term, expensive deal (see; Kevin Hayes, again).
You have to strike the balance between right fit, right price, and right length while also keeping in mind any upcoming contract issues. This is what is hurting the Rangers right now and, to a lesser extent, the Maple Leafs.
So far, Briere has done the right thing by locking up some of their key players to long-term, relatively team-friendly deals. That helps the situation out as they don't have too many potential future free agents to have to worry about for the next two offseasons. If he plays his cards right, he could be making a potential Flyers dynasty here.