A Blueprint For The Flyers Offseason: How To Get Out Of Mediocrity

Photo Credit: Zack Hill

That’s it, now the offseason begins. Unfortunately, the Flyers finished the season 25-23-8, and missed the playoffs after a season that began with high expectations. What will transpire this offseason is anyone’s guess, however, it has been made clear that the Flyers will be very active this offseason. They have been linked to every big name available on the defensive side of the puck, but the buck just doesn’t stop there. Chuck Fletcher has made goaltending a priority this offseason, as he would like to find a capable backup for Carter Hart. Moreover, the Flyers also could use some physicality and speed infused into their lineup. Whatever the case maybe, let’s dive into a blueprint for the Flyers offseason.

Priority #1- A top defensive partner for Ivan Provorov

What more needs to be written about this topic. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher preached patience this past offseason in regards to signing or trading players, as the expansion draft was just around the corner. The Flyers were left with a huge void following Matt Niskanen’s retirement. Furthermore, some young defensemen struggled with the likes of Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Erik Gustafsson, Robert Hagg, Shayne Gostisbehere at times, and Philippe Myers. It wasn’t just the six defensemen on the ice, it was the team’s overall defense that struggled mightily. The Defense overall was a mess this past season, and Fletcher knows it. So much so, that the Flyers will obtain a defensive partner to pair with Provorov with the likes of Seth Jones, OEL, Dougie Hamilton, or possibly Ryan Ellis.

The Flyers can ill afford to bank on players rebounding for the Flyers to get out of mediocrity. Sanheim needs to get bigger and stronger, much like Myers, and learn how to take the body on their opponents:

“I admire Nicklas Lidstrom. He was steady, and could put up numbers offensively. I just tried to pick a bit from him..his stick was amazing, always had his stick in the right place at the right time.”– Travis Sanheim said to Jamey Baskow in 2017

I’ll say this again there is groundwork laid for a trade with the Arizona Coyotes or Nashville Predators. The Flyers would like to obtain multiple defensemen this offseason, not just a 1A/1B defenseman. Look for Fletcher to inquire about Niklas Hjalmarsson, a 34-year-old Right-Handed Defenseman, or Jamie Oleksiak to provide some much needed toughness to the club.

Priority #2- Backup Goaltender

Goaltending appears to be a problem year after year for the Flyers. Brian Elliott and Carter Hart both struggled at times throughout the course of the 2020-21 season. Elliott filled in admirably for Hart after he finished the season on the injured list, as he missed the final few weeks of the season with a sprained knee.

The Flyers need better goaltending in a critical season in 2021-22. Hart should rebound, and he is the least of my worries as he has vowed to train, train, train this offseason. However, the biggest thing is; who can help mentor Hart. The Flyers need a stable, younger backup that can play night in and night out if Hart goes down with an injury.

With the Flyers likely moving on from Brian Elliott. Some fans are wondering whose an available replacement, but a quality replacement as well. There are many names on the market, and Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher will have a plethora of choices to choose from. Who will be the best fit, well time will tell.

Linus Ullmark

Ullmark may be looking for a starting job, but if he is just trying to prove himself after leaving Buffalo, well the Flyers would be a perfect fit. He’s still young (27-years-old) with plenty of miles left on his tires.

He is a sizeable goalie as he stands at 6’4 and weighs 215 pounds. Ullmark is a confident goaltender, and he has adapted well to the North American rink size. He was 9-6-3, with a 2.63 GAA, and a .917 Save Percentage this season. Ullmark would be a quality replacement for Elliott.

Jaroslav Halak

Halak finished the season with the Boston Bruins where he amassed a 9-6-4 record, with a 2.53 GAA, and a .905 Save Percentage. He would be an excellent tutor for the young Carter Hart, and Halak will definitely hit the market. Jeremy Swayman who is just 22-years-old will take at the very least the backup goaltending spot for the Bruins. Halak is 36-years-old, but he reads the play very well, and has team first qualities.

He still has some left in the tank, and Halak has seen everything in the NHL. Halak would be a good stop gap goalie, until Samuel Ersson, Kirill Ustimenko, or Felix Sandström proves they are more than capable of handling this duty to Hart, hopefully by next season.

Frederik Anderson

Anderson would be one heck of a backup to Hart. Without a doubt, Fletcher will target Anderson, but he will have plenty of suitors. In 24 games played, Anderson finished the 2021 season with less than stellar numbers with a 2.96 GAA, and a .895 Save Percentage, but he would be worth the gamble for Fletcher to take a run at. For his career, he has registered a .914 Save Percentage, coupled with a 2.79 GAA.

He is a big goalie who fills much of the net with his frame. Anderson still possesses the physical tools to be an effective goaltender in the NHL. He would provide good tutelage to the young Hart, and he still has the abilities to steal games. Anderson can relied upon in stretches, with no worries for injury. Apparently, Anderson I’m hearing is seeking a contract nearing $5 million per season. If that’s the case the Flyers would be wise to steer clear from him.

Jonathan Bernier

Bernier was subject to trade rumors to Philadelphia before the trade deadline commenced this past season. Now he enters the market as an Unrestricted Free Agent.

The 32-year-old in Bernier put together a solid campaign with the Detroit Red Wings this past season with accumulating a 9-11-1 record, with a 2.99 GAA, and a .914 Save Percentage. Bernier would provide good leadership to the locker room, and Hart. He’s usually positionally sound, and can steal games. His reflexes are cat like, which help him especially in the crease area. Whatever the case may be he might be what the doctor ordered to backup Hart.

James Reimer

Reimer is an interesting case. He would be an instant upgrade over Brian Elliott as he is more durable. Reimer has posted a .914 and a .906 Save Percentage in consecutive season’s. Not too bad I must say.

Durability is a key word for the Flyers as Elliott played solid hockey for the most part this past season. Unfortunately, the more he plays like a starter he gets worn down, and soft goals start to occur. Elliott is just not as durable as he once was, although he was a warrior for the Flyers. Reimer would help in a big way in this case, and would be an excellent backup to Carter Hart. At the ripe age of 33, maybe a one or two-year deal couldn’t hurt, with the hopes of one of Ustimenko, Ersson, or Sandström will be able to be the backup to Hart in one-two years

Antii Raanta

Raanta was part of the 2014-15 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory season, however, his name was not etched on the Cup. Since then, he has seen time with the New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes organizations.

He posted a 5-5-2 record, with a .905 Save Percentage this past season with the Coyotes. Raanta’s positioning and preparation are excellent. He makes some tough saves look easy. Raanta is capable of bringing a winning pedigree to the Flyers, and provide Hart with mentorship needed to excel at the NHL level. He is still only 32-years-young.

Priority #3- Third Line Center

Nolan Patrick under performed one year after removed from a migraine disorder that sidelined him for the 2019-20 season. Patrick taking his time and easing back into the rigors of a full NHL season was to be expected. He managed to stay healthy for the most part for the entire season, but unfortunately Kevin Hayes now needs core muscle surgery. The same surgery that took Brian Elliott over a year to recover from, and we all know how that ended (Used eight different Goaltenders and Former Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall was fired).

Moreover, the same can be said for Morgan Frost. Frost missed the entire season this past year. It is unfair to rely on Frost to just come back 100% and excel, especially in his developmental stages of his career.

Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher is now faced with a predicament of not banking on Hayes to come back 100% for the 2021-22 season, and he cannot rely on Patrick to return to form before his migraine disorder. Now, much like solidifying the defense, finding a third line Center NOW becomes a priority. So much so, there are some names to look out for, whether it be via trade or a free agency addition.

Tyler Bozak- Free Agency

Bozak will become a UFA at year’s end. He is currently making $4.25 million, and really plays well on the Power Play as he finished the season with two Power Play Goals and three assists on the Power Play with the St. Louis Blues. The Power Play has been a struggling unit for the Flyers for the past few years, so Bozak could possibly help in this area.

The 35-year-old in Bozak provides veteran experience, as he can also kill penalties (Much like Hayes). He skates well and has good offensive instincts. Bozak is solid at the faceoff dot, and is a good playmaker and two-way performer.

Mikael Granlund- Free Agency/Trade

Granlund is in the final year of his #.75 million deal. He is very familiar with Fletcher, and he seems to be a solid player as he ages. Granlund posted solid numbers this past year as he tallied 13 goals, and chipped in 14 assists for 27 points in a weird season.

Like Bozak, Granlund plays well on the Power Play as he netted five goals, and registered two power play assists. Granlund is a smart playmaker with excellent vision. He works hard, can skate, and shoot. Granlund can move up and down the lineup as needed, and this versatile forward could really provide everything the Flyers need right now.

As indicated above, I have Granlund listed as being obtained through free agency or trade. He is a UFA, but Fletcher does not bidding wars (Thus trading a 5th round pick for exclusive negotiating rights for Kevin Hayes), especially if it’s something the Flyers need to shore up immediately. Fletcher could trade a 5th or 6th round pick for the rights to Granlund if he indeed does not want to re-sign with Nashville.

Casey Cizikas- Free Agency/Trade

Flyers fans know Cizikas well. He is a buzz saw, and his engine never stops running. Cizikas will be highly coveted in free agency, as he will have plenty of suitors for his services. If he does not re-sign with the New York Islanders look for Fletcher to trade a draft pick for exclusive negotiating rights for Cizikas.

He is only 5’11, but he acts like he is 6’5 with the way he throws around his size. He is a great forechecker, with excellent checking ability. You can tell he leads by example on the ice, and plays with plenty of grit. Cizikas is an excellent penalty killer, and a known agitator.

Nick Bjustad- Free Agency

Bjustad would provide much needed size down the middle for the Flyers, plus he can also play right-wing. He displays good goal scoring instincts and has a quick release. Bjustad gets to the greasy areas to score goals, as he throws his weight around.

He will become a UFA at year’s end following a $5.25 million deal. At age 28, I do not see why he would be given a raise, but he knows how to use his size. He currently has registered nine hits in two playoff games this season. Bjustad only tallied six goals and chipped in 11 assists this past season, so he might be looking for a change of scenery. Either way the Flyers might have their eyes on him when free agency opens for business.

Sam Reinhart- Trade

Reinhart would be the consistent goal scorer that the franchise so desperately needs. He pots 20+ goals each season (For the past four season’s), and he is a comparable to Travis Konecny. Reinhart tallied 25 goals, and registered 15 assists for 40 points this season in 54 games played. Do not look at his -28 plus/minus rating and cloud your minds with this stat. Reinhart excelled on an otherwise lackluster Buffalo Sabres team.

This 25-year-old, is versatile and plays in every situation the coaching staff asks of him. He tallied 10 Power Play goals this past season and chipped in six assists with the man advantage in the process for 16 Power Play Points. Reinhart possesses excellent playmaking skills, and has the ability to play both wing and center. Simply put, Reinhart is an excellent two-way, versatile Center.

Nick Schmaltz- Trade

As I previously reported, Fletcher could have groundwork laid for a trade with the Arizona Coyotes with Fletcher stating, “We know what they want, and they know what we want” following the trade deadline. Brent Flahr scouted Arizona for about a week three-four weeks before the trade deadline began.https://flyersnittygritty.com/the-flyers-may-have-groundwork-laid-for-a-trade-with-these-teams-trade-possibilities/embed/#?secret=zT6UmBVFUk

Schmaltz is 6’0 and weighs 177 pounds, but he can score with the best of them. He tallied 10 goals, and registered 22 assists for the Coyotes this season. He is a good playmaker, good skater, with good creativity and a sound hockey sense. Schmaltz needs to get bigger and stronger, but he would be one heck of an addition to this Flyers team.

He has five years remaining on his seven year deal that pays him an AAV of $5.85 million per season. Schmaltz plays in all situations the coaching staff asks of him, as he tallied three goals on the Power Play this past season.

At the end of the day, Fletcher will upgrade the 3C position because of the injury to Hayes, and it is not based on the fact that Patrick under produced this year. The Flyers have been burnt in the past relying on a player coming back 100% from core muscle surgery (Most notably Brian Elliott a few years ago), so they can ill afford to do that again next season.

Priority #4- Physicality/Speed

There are ways of becoming a more physical team, while infusing speed and goal scoring with such. The Flyers need physicality to endure an extended playoff run. If a person saw each game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past season they would have noticed teams that are good at forechecking while taking the bodies. Players from each team were banging into the boards, thus taking the puck from their opponents. There are some players that are available to help the Flyers in this need.

Corey Perry

The Flyers were not only ousted of the 2020 Playoffs because of their lackluster power play, and for that matter they missed the playoffs in 2021. In most cases they could not forecheck effectively against both the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders in particular. As the playoffs wear on, ice becomes tougher and tighter. You need some players that are physical, not just skilled players. Look at the Stanley Cup Finalists in 2020: The Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams were physical, and they were the last one’s standing.

Perry is not the most well liked player by most fans, but a good physical player that can skate and pot a big goal if a team is need of such. Take for instance the 2020 playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche in a crucial Game 4. Perry slashed Colorado Avalanche’s Goalie Pavel Francouz, and that lead to Samuel Girard of Colorado to take a retaliatory penalty. Dallas really rallied behind Perry following this incident, and cashed in on the ensuing power play. These are the type of plays/players the Flyers lacked in the playoffs and this past season. This is one missing element to this team.

Travis Konecny, NAK, and Scott Laughton can only do so much in terms of getting under the skins of the opponent. Enter Corey Perry, a player that will throw down the mitts, bang players against the boards, and pot some big key goals, like the world is witnessing in the 2021 playoffs. Perry has tallied three goals and three assists for a total of six points in 11 games in the playoffs. He seems to just take his game to another player in crunch time.

Barclay Goodrow

Goodrow is one heck of a role player. He has size 6’2, and weighs 203 pounds. Goodrow has the ability to score goals, while maintaining a physical presence. He is not as skilled offensively as Tom Wilson, but he can play both wing and center, as well as, kills penalties.

For his efforts, Goodrow tallied two goals, ad four assists this season in the playoffs. He is not afraid of sticking up for his teammates, or being an influential player in forechecking. Goodrow does not shy away from contact, rather he embraces it, and does it well.

Blake Coleman

Coleman is a strong two-way forward, who can skate well and is not easy to knock off the puck. He is a versatile forward that can play all three forward positions if required, plus he is a factor on special teams. Coleman can play both the Power Play and kill penalties.

He is not shy from taking contact, as he is seen banging players into the boards. He is more skilled offensively as he tallied 14 goals, and registered 17 assists for Tampa Bay this past season. Coleman also finished with three goals, and eight assists in the playoffs. Hands down he would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Flyers, and a breath of fresh air in this lineup.

How will Chuck Fletcher manage to fit players that are needed in the lineup? Well, for starters one of Jakub Voracek or James van Riemsdyk would leave via the expansion draft or get traded. Believe it or not both players are movable, and if possible to do such the Flyers could retain some salary. Moreover, Shayne Gostisbehere could also be of interest for the Seattle Kraken. Mike Matheson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins last offseason, and that was one contract I thought was immovable, so anything is possible. Nate Schmidt was also moved by the Vegas Golden Knights as they obtained Alex Pietrangelo.

Whatever the case maybe, the Flyers have to do something to reignite the fanbase, the fanbase has craved a major move for the past six or seven years, but this time Fletcher has to do it to right the ship.