A Potential Undrafted Free Agent Signing For The Flyers: James Hardie

Philadelphia had their weaknesses exposed during the playoffs this past season: The team lacked size, physicality, and scoring ability. The Flyers found themselves being bullied off the puck and could not convert a power play chance to save their lives. If that was not enough to have to address in this flat-cap off-season, one of the team’s top-pairing defenseman, Matt Niskanen, retired unexpectedly. With that being said, the team’s General Manager Chuck Fletcher should have had his off-season game plan laid out for him: Acquire a right-hand-shot defenseman while also adding size and some physicality; but to this point the Flyers’ off-season seems to have left a lot to be desired. 

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Now, early on Philadelphia appeared to be on the right path when they selected the 6’2 194-pound sniper Tyson Foerster from the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with their first round selection, and the hard-working Zayde Wisdom of the Kingston Frontenacs (also of the OHL). Other than that, they did not achieve their goals; Rather, they chose to select vastly undersized players and a left-hand shot defenseman (both of which the team’s farm system is absolutely loaded with already). 

If this wasn’t enough to leave most fans scratching their heads, once free agency opened the team decided to sign yet another LEFT-HAND SHOT DEFENSEMAN in the 28-year-old Erik Gustafsson to a one year, three-million-dollar deal (when right-hand shot defensemen Travis Hamonic, and Sammi Vatanen were still on the board). Gustafsson doesn’t seem to be the wisest of fits and most fear that he will turn out to be yet another Shayne Gostisbehere. Overall, he has struggled to return to his ‘18-‘19 self where he posted 17 goals and 43 assists, for 60 points with the Chicago Blackhawks.

So how might the Flyers still look to add for the future and eventually solve their scoring woes despite their limited cap space? How about signing an undrafted free-agent marksman in James Hardie? James played for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL last season, and why this player went undrafted was beyond this writer. Hardie managed to score 34 goals on the season last year- that’s just two less than the Flyers’ first round draft pick Tyson Foerster had when he totaled 36 while playing in the same league! In fact, if you look at the list of all the leading goal scorers for the OHL who were first-year draft eligible players, James ranks 6^th. The previous five all were selected in the 1^st round:

OHL Ranking:

Hardie is not vertically challenged like most of the Flyers’ other draft picks this season who were 5’8, 5’9, and 5’10. James stands at almost 6’0 tall., nor is James malnourished like other Flyers’ draft picks this year who only weighed in at 160 pounds. He has never shown to be a behavior problem on or off the ice. Hardie has no history of any major injuries. He has no issues with his skating stride, or stick-handling abilities. He does not turn over the puck. So tell me: Why wasn’t this kid drafted?  

James’ totals may have even been that much more prolific this year if his talents were realized by his coach sooner. Hardie was only granted 1^st line minutes after being months into the season. His shot, which he can launch from anywhere, is his best attribute by far. Therefore, he has no problem firing the puck on net with great regularity which is a trait the pass-first Flyers could certainly use many times over on their roster. Especially because he could potentially help on the power play in the future with 11 of his 34 goals coming during the man advantage this season.  

If you continue to compare Hardie’s play to that of the Flyers’ Foerster (since they played in the same league) you can see that he amassed a similar goals-per-game average: Hardie 0.576 Foerster 0.581. If you compare the two as far as game-winning goals totals go, Hardie had 7 to Foersters 5.  Plus/minus: Hardie averaged a plus 9 to Foersters minus 17.   

This is not to say that Hardie should have been drafted over Foerster BY ANY MEANS, but with some stats so similar in nature it’s just hard to fathom why he wasn’t selected at all. 

Nevertheless, Philadelphia would be wise to sign this undrafted free agent to an entry-level contract- or at least invite him to their rookie camp on a tryout basis- before another NHL club gives him the shot he so deserves. For if the OHL returns to play next season James’ new-found motivation (not being drafted) could drive him to amass some jaw dropping totals next season.