In part 2 of “A Guide to the Flyers’ Off-Season,” it is time to take a closer look at the Flyers’ Restricted Free Agents (RFA’s), and how to keep it all under the Cap. If you happened to miss Part 1 to this series, here’s the link:
First up is the 23-year-old former undrafted free agent that then-Flyers’ General Manager Ron Hextall signed (Philippe Myers). After just his first full season in the NHL, Myers has definitely shown he belongs in the pros. Becoming accustomed rather quickly to the faster-pace game at the NHL level, he managed to score 16 points in 50 games played for the Flyers this season, while also maintaining an impressive plus 17 average on the year. That stat makes him good enough for 2nd best on the team (behind Sean Courtier) and tied for 30th in the entire league! Myers seems to be developing at such a rate that he should certainly be ready for placement in a top 4 defensive role next season: A role that he has already been asked to play in at times this season. Seeing that Myers has a similar playing style and potential point production as his fellow teammate Travis Sanheim, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when the Flyers offer him a deal similar to that of his previously mentioned line mate. A three-year deal worth a $3.25 million dollar annual salary should be enough to retain his services for the foreseeable future, and be quite the bump from his current $678K he is making this season.
Next up is defenseman Robert Hagg who currently is 25- years-old and, although not flashy, is productive. This stay-at-home defenseman who started the season as the team’s 7th D-man has played his way to be a regular in the lineup. He led the team in hits this season with 136 while only playing in 49 games this year. In doing so, he made opponents think twice before heading into the boards for a loose puck. Hagg’s play has evolved so much this season that he made the once great defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere’s services obsolete. Hagg’s play has unquestionably earned him the right to a raise from his $1.15 Million he made this season. The Flyers should look to offer Hagg a two-year deal worth $2.25 Million annually, for he is, and will continue to develop into, one of the better defensive defenseman on the team providing a sense of calmness and reassurance to the young and extremely talented goaltender Carter Hart.
A man that has been in the Flyers system for some time now and did the most with his chance this year was winger Nicolas Aube-Kubel (NAK). This 24-year-old put it all together this season while playing in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s (AV) system. AV trusted him so much that he even used him at times this season on the power play unit. Kubel totaled 15 points on the season for the Flyers while playing in just 36 games before the stoppage. Those numbers are quite impressive for a guy making just 700K on the year. Look for the Flyers to re-sign him to a two-year deal for $1.25 Million annually in order to fortify the 4th line’s dominance once again- and moving forward.
Defenseman Mark Friedman is also an RFA this offseason. Friedman who is 24-years-old has spent numerous seasons in the Flyers’ system, playing for the team’s AHL affiliate- the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. When called up to the Flyers for 6 games this year, Mark was able to fill in seamlessly by playing that same mistake-free hockey that earned him that call up. This left multiple Flyers executives wondering if resigning Friedman this off season and letting Justin Braun go might just save them the cap space they need to better their team elsewhere. Friedman would no doubt be the cap-saving-type signing they are looking for. Mark made just 749K this season and would probably jump at the opportunity to match Hagg’s same two-year $1.15 Million dollar offer the Flyers made when Hagg was coming off his entry-level deal.
Lastly, the Flyers have the two unknown pieces: Nolan Patrick has not played a game all year, and has not been able to put in a full season of work without an injury since before playing Junior hockey. Although, Patrick has shown that he is indeed gifted with unreal abilities while on the ice, he has immense trouble staying healthy. Second on that list is winger Oskar Lindblom, who was playing a top 6 role and leading the Flyers in goals on the season before he found out he had cancer. Looking on the bright side- it’s a contract year for both of these talented players. If Nolan and Oskar were healthy all season and played at the level at which they are equally capable of playing, Chuck would be in a world of hurt racking his brain on just how he could manage the budget. Lucky for us, these players most likely will be asked to sign short term “prove it” deals that will allow the Flyers to retain both players at a fraction of the cost it would have been if they were healthy. Look for Patrick to sign a one-year contract offer worth $1.50 million dollars. That way, if Nolan does come back next season, he will have a chance to slot in as the team’s 3rd line center, getting the chance to play with some talented young players like the team’s two Swedish Snipers Linus Sandin and Oskar Lindblom. If Patrick comes back and has a season like we all know he’s capable of, he has the opportunity next off-season to cash in: If he gets hurt again or just isn’t the same player he once was, the Flyers will not be locked into a contract and forced to overpay him for years to come. The same scenario should be offered to Lindblom, as well. Although, Oskar is already back to skating with the team in practice, caution should still be taken. Lindblom is not yet done his treatments and there is no guarantee the cancer won’t return. With that being said, look for Fletcher to offer him a one-year deal worth $1.25 Million with hopes that he continues on the road to a full recovery.
Now that we’ve seen what it might take to retain these players after the season ends, it’s time to crunch some numbers and make sure to somehow still mange keep it all under the cap. Look for this information to be covered in the final part of this off-season trilogy.
