It’s quite obvious this season was a season of disappointment for the Flyers. It was a season that started out with high expectations. However, the defense was bad, the goaltending was subpar, and the youth regressed in most cases.
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.
He is a Restricted Free Agent, so if Fletcher tried to obtain Reinhart it would more than likely be a one for one involving Travis Konecny possibly, with a deal in place.
Nick Schmaltz- Trade
As I reported in an article last week. 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.
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.
Good stuff. I like the list further down you go. The Flyers have plenty to trade and couple of these guys could change the face of the team.
First we must try to trade for Montreal”s Jeff Petry, who would be perfect partner for Provorov in our first pairing in defense!
I don’t see a name above that’s going to help the Flyers get any better. Getting rid of the many under performers on this team. Would be an upgrade. Giroux, Voracek, Hayes and van Reimsdyk need to be phased out and a rebuild needs to take place. Age is making all of them look tired on the ice. The Flyers may be worse than the Krakken next year. What’s that tell you?
It tells me ur right!!