Photo Credit: Our very own Yariv Wolok
New Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere has been tasked with fixing Chuck Fletcher’s mistakes this offseason. Typically anytime a new GM is hired they like to rid themselves of players that have handcuffed the organization cap wise, with the hopes of putting their stamp on the roster. Fletcher did that with Ron Hextall, and now Briere is doing that with Fletcher.
The latest move took some by surprise, as most did not know the Flyers could be afforded a second buyout window, since Noah Cates filed for arbitration. On the end Tony DeAngelo was bought out by the Flyers, and now the organization will be on the hook for $1.66 million for the next two seasons. Let’s recap the subtractions this offseason:
Ivan Provorov trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets
Kevin Hayes traded to the St. Louis Blues
Tony DeAngelo bought out
James van Riemsdyk signed with the Boston Bruins
Brendan Lemeiux
Justin Braun retired
There are some good things when looking at this list. For starters, with buying out DeAngelo as opposed to trading him to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers can still retain monies on two contracts. This offers more flexibility to move a player, even if it’s at the trade deadline. If DeAngelo was going to be moved to the Hurricanes, the Flyers were going retain 50% of his contract. Secondly, the Flyers did not have to buy out Hayes and pay a penalty for six years. Look at some of the players that were bought out, like Blake Wheeler, it was tough moving Hayes, but Briere found a way to get it done. My one worry is what player will step up and take Provorov’s ice time of 25-27 minutes a night?
Now let’s look at the additions:
Marc Staal
Garnet Hathaway
Ryan Poehling
Helge Grans
Victor Mete
Cal Peterson
Sean Walker
On the surface it appears the Flyers got tougher a bit, plus they have a good formidable solid fourth line in Nic Deslauriers, Ryan Poehling, and Garnet Hathaway. That’s a solid fourth line on paper at least. Staal was brought in to bring a good mentor for the youth, like Braun did for a few seasons. However, Staal could also log minutes for the Flyers. Mete and Walker will battle for that 6th/7th defenseman slot, as Egor Zamula more than likely will make the team out of camp, due to him no longer being waivers exempt.
Now Peterson was acquired to vye for the backup role to Carter Hart, but Briere might have brought him in as a replacement for Hart, if Hart gets suspended when the Hockey Canada investigation case is revealed. Maybe Briere is being proactive with this situation, who knows, in the end the Flyers have good goalie depth this coming season. By no means am I saying Hart is guilty, or played a part, I’m just saying maybe Briere was being proactive in this case.
Again Briere is fixing Chuck Fletcher’s mistakes, now let’s see what he can do moving forward. I look forward to seeing him put his stamp on his roster, after finally drafting a potential superstar/generational talent in Matvei Michkov.
Let’s hope the youth progress, and take another step this season. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it’s going to take some time for Briere to put his stamp on the roster. My final grade for assessing Briere’s offseason is a B+, that could turn into an A in three years when Michkov arrives.
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