While the Flyers are waiting to see how the Leo Carlsson saga plays out, they also have some RFAs of their own to look after. Forward Trevor Zegras and defender Jamie Drysdale have both filed for salary arbitration. They, along with Nikita Grebenkin and Hunter McDonald, were given qualifying offers to stick around.
However, both players have filed for arbitration. What does this mean for the Flyers moving forward? What does it mean for the players?
Zegras and Drysdale are Sticking Around
First of all, barring a trade, both players will be suiting up for the Flyers next season. By filing for arbitration with the NHL, this eliminates any possibility of another team swooping in and giving them an offer sheet; much like Philly is doing with Carlsson and the Ducks. Zegras and Drysdale will both play for the Flyers next season.
However, at what price? The date for arbitration hearings haven't been announced. It's assumed that it could be sometime before July is out.
This is an important piece of information. The Flyers will know the fate of Carlsson by the end of this week. Once they sign him (or not), they will know how much money they have to play with for this season and beyond.
It was rumored the Flyers have had discussions with both Zegras and Drysdale about extensions and all parties seemed very enthusiastic about a reunion. The key issues were likely how long (bridge deal or long-term deal) in years and how much money. Again, there have been rumors that all parties were close on deals that were acceptable.
Filing for arbitration doesn't change any of that. Daniel Briere can still negotiate before they reach arbitration.
What This Means for Flyers Long Term
As of right now, the Flyers have: Travis Konecny, Sean Coturier, Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, Christian Dvorak, Dan Vladar, Travis Sanheim, and Cam York signed on to or through 2029-30 season. This is how you build a team. Adding Zegras and Drysdale to that list would give them great stability.
Plus, the salary cap is going to keep rising. As it does, the Flyers will have more money to play around with. This will allow them to continue to re-sign their younger talent to longer term contracts and find guys who can plug-and-play certain roles, like Noel Acciari is expected to do. Plotting out the contracts will allow Philadelphia to sign and re-sign talent without finding themselves in the salary cap hell when Ron Hextall and Chuck Fletcher were at the helm.
If the Ducks match the offer sheet, Briere can still negotate longer term deals with Zegras and Drysdale. Plus, if the Flyers still want to pivot to other top RFAs, they could still make a bold move towards Connor Bedard or Adam Fantill. But first, let's see how this week unfolds with Carlsson.
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