Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty images
What might be the most impressive thing about Chuck Fletcher in his first full year as the Flyers General Manager (GM) is his resilient emphasis on adding depth to the bottom six forwards and the third defensive pair. In doing this, he makes sure that any additional players he adds possess a willingness to play a strong defensive game, further ensuring a complete line up for Head Coach Alain Vigneault (AV). This way, AV can feel more at ease rolling out all four lines and the third defensive pair without the fear of his 3rd and fourth lines giving up a lead.
Now to focus on two of Fletcher’s biggest additions offensively this season: Tyler Pitlick (28-years-old), and Derek Grant (30-years-old) who both epitomize just what Coach Vigneault expects from his players. 28- and 30-years-old respectively, both possess a strong work ethic, ability to play a 200 ft. game, and the competitiveness to never take a shift off; traits that are seemingly instilled with an instinctiveness to never concede.
The Flyers and Chuck Fletcher will be forced to deal with both players being impending free agents at season’s end. Most Flyers fans had no clue about either player before this season started. Lucky for us, Chuck and his staff did their homework and found the perfect players with ideal contracts to fit the roles we needed at the time, while managing to acquire both by a reasonable exchange.
Flyers GM Fletcher was able to pry Tyler Pitlick away from the Dallas Stars through an even up-trade for Ryan Hartman back in June. Since being acquired, Pitlick could do no wrong. At camp, Tyler showed that he could produce in any role and under any circumstances that where thrown at him. Coach AV did not only appreciate that, he rewarded Pitlick quite often by moving him up in the line-up when other players were not performing to Vigneault’s standards or when an injury occurred. Pitlick showed time and time again that he was up for the challenge. In 63 games played (GP), Pitlick netted 8 goals (G) and 12 assists (A), for a total of 20 points (P). He did all this while handling a plus 11 average on the season. Tyler also demonstrated that he could be entrusted to help the team on both the penalty kill unit as well as the power play unit. Whether he was laying a big check to regain control of the puck, laying a nice outlet pass out of the zone, or scoring a goal at a much-needed time in the game, it was easy to see that Pitlick did indeed play up to his one-million-dollar salary (and then some).
Fletcher obtained Derek Grant at the trade deadline for Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Kyle Criscuolo and a 2020 4th round pick. Much like Pitlick, it seemed Grant no sooner jumped off the plane before he developed into a glue player in the Flyers lineup. Coach AV knew just who to pair Grant with, in order to get the highest level of performance out of him. If it had not been for the current NHL hiatus there is no telling what kind of numbers he would have been able to pile up. With totals of 15 goals and 10 assists, for 25 points, Derek’s stats are that much more impressive when you compare them to the just $700,000 he is making for this season.
Now most fans would say it is a no-brainer that Fletcher should do everything in his power to bring back both of these versatile forwards (and I’m sure he will). But what if these players do not wish to sign back or request too much money in order to do so? Neither chose Philadelphia as their destination of choice when signing a contract as a free agent. They were both traded to, and thus obligated to play for, the Flyers- since they were already under contract.
Where should the Flyers turn if one or both impending free agents decide to play elsewhere next season? The answer? 28-year-old unrestricted free agent Jesper Fast from Sweden who currently plays for the New York Rangers. Jesper is 6’1″ and weighs 191 pounds, as he held much of the same role and esteem from Coach Vigneault when he was at the helm for the Rangers, as Pitlick does now for the Flyers. Fast is much of the same type player as Pitlick. Jesper often found himself playing up and down the lineup in New York as needed, allowing AV to use Fast to his advantage, beings that he never takes a shift off. Jesper works harder than anybody out on the ice, and often uses his exemplary speed to accelerate after loose pucks on the forecheck, often chasing the opposition’s defense deep into their own zone. Moreover, Fast frequently uses his intensity to come out of hostile board battles with the puck on his stick, then launches himself to mach-like speed where he uses his excellent puck handling skills and quick release to GET PUCKS ON NET! While still with the Rangers, AV trusted Fast so much that he often found himself playing on the second line next to the now Flyers center Kevin Hayes.
Not much has changed since the departure of Vigneault from New York. Current Ranger Head Coach Dan Quinn has used Fast in much of the same ways that AV did: Allowing Jesper to play on the second line most of the season with the likes of follow talented winger Artemi Panarin and center Ryan Strome. Jesper was even slotted ahead of the talented Kaapo Kakko who was forced to a 3rd line role. This past season, Fast collected 12 goals and 17 assists totaling 29 points, while averaging a remarkable plus 16 on the season. Fast found himself on the ice during all facets of the game; like Pitlick, he was slotted in on the penalty kill as well as the power play unit.
Based on their performance this season, both Pitlick and Grant deserve a raise. So, what happens if the Flyers find themselves out of the running for based on salary cap, or the players own team preference? This is when Vigneault and Fletcher should steer their focus to Jesper Fast- the man that AV helped mold into the player he is today! Fast, presently is playing for a reasonable $1,950,000 this season; a number that is (at least) reasonable beings all that he brings to the table. Fast is that complete player that Chuck and AV would be looking to bring into the mix, and insert into a possible 3rd line role if the Flyers were to lose out on one of their own guys. Hopefully, the Flyers can keep the team as-is, but with the uncertainty of how any off season may go, Fletcher would be smart to at least contact their video guy and tell him to get some tape together on Fast. Just in case….
