Three months ago, we looked at the Flyers potential free agents and the looming decisions. Thirteen players on the roster were scheduled to be free agents. However, things have changed.
First, the Flyers locked up Christian Dvorak to a five-year deal. While it may seem, to some, as a long term deal, Dvorak's chemistry with this team is undeniable and he's had a great season so far. That's one down and a dozen more to consider.
Well, make that eleven. Egor Zamula was waived, signed on with Pittsburgh, assigned to Wilkes-Barre, and then got suspended when refused to report. Now he’s in Columbus.
For those that remained, how have things changed? Do any of these guys look like they may stick around? Let's take a look at the UFA's first.
The UFA's
The Flyers have five players who are slated to become free agents at the end of this season. Dvorak was among these before he was re-signed. These players are: Nicolas Deslauriers, Rodrigo Abols, Noah Juulsen, Carl Grundström, and Adam Ginning.
Abols looked like he might be carving out a reliable fourth line center role. However, his recent injury, that sidelined him from the Olympics, could complicate that. It would appear that the Flyers might have an interest in retaining his services. It might have to come down to how healthy he will be and if there is any drop off of play. We'll have to wait on that on see what happens.
Grundström is another interesting case. He was a throw in as part of the Ryan Ellis deal. In 27 games with the Flyers, he's scored eight goals with two assists on a fourth line role averaging 12:27 minutes. He's grinding out a pretty nice role for himself as a bottom six forward. The 28 year old has surprised many. To be honest with you, if he's willing to accept a one or two year deal that would allow him to play at the AHL and NHL levels, he'd be a great depth forward and not hinder the development of any youngster. He's fit in well here and may want to stick around.
As for the others, Deslauriers is probably one of the few trade chips the Flyers have to unload on a contender. Although, many teams don't carry a guy like him into a deep playoff run. They use him to get them there. Juulsen could end up being re-signed as a depth piece as he and Rick Tocchet have a history and the coach seems to favor him. Ginning is currently a Phantom. He's been up and down a lot in his career and was waived earlier this season by Philly. He might carve out a nice AHL career with some injury call ups. However, he has been bypassed by many of the younger players on the roster/depth charts. Most likely, if he is re-signed, it will be as a late summer depth signing with him reporting to Lehigh Valley first.
The RFA's
The big one here is Trevor Zegras. The Flyers will probably want to lock him up before he becomes a free agent. The key is how long and for how much. He's not going to get Auston Matthews type money, but he could easily command anywhere in the $7.5-$8.5 million range. He's got chemistry with his teammates and is a big part of the success of this team. Watch for the Flyers to make a move with him before the season is over; most likely before the deadline as that will help determine what moves to make.
Jamie Drysdale will also probably be extended. He's been mostly healthy this season and he is on pace for a career year. He'll turn 24 in April and we may not have seen the best of him yet. He will also most likely be signed long term
Nikita Grebenkin and Emil Andrae have had decent seasons this year. Andrae has played well enough and is putting up his best career numbers offensively while starting to refine his defensive game. He's showing the Flyers why it was worth sticking with him. As for Grebenkin, he's grinding out a role on the team and has flashed some moments of brilliance. He's someone the Flyers will keep around for a while. It's possible that either one could be moved during a trade deadline deal, but it is more likely the Flyers will re-sign both of them to a bridge contract.
The final two players are Sam Ersson and Bobby Brink. Both make for some interesting cases, but for opposite reasons.
Brink is having a great year, despite getting banged up. He's close to setting a career high in goals. He's young and controllable. For that reason, if the Flyers were to spring for a top-tier name at the deadline (such as an Elias Pettersson or Dougie Hamilton), he might be part of the cost. Getting a top player like that would cost the Flyers a lot. Brink might have to be a casaulty of that. If he isn't traded, he will most definitely be extended.
Ersson, on the hand, is a mixed bag. He's played well in the past, but has mightily struggled this season. With some goalie prospects on their way up, the Flyers may hesitate to re-sign him. Likewise, he could be someone who may need a change of scenery andbe moved at the deadline. Out of all their RFA's, he's probably the one who is least likely to return.