It’s the dead thick of the offseason for the Flyers and their proud faithful, as the NHL Draft looms. Hockey is wrapping up, but with the draft and free agency are around the corner. It’s leading to swirling rumors, and excitement for what lies ahead with the Flyers. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
The Flyers won’t make a big splash in free agency, like some hope. They should shore everything up via trade, and that was the route the Flyers took the previous offseason. I can’t see them being too active in free agency, but there are a few players that might catch their eye.
Defensively, I could see the orange and black wanting to shore up that position, with the likes of Sean Walker, Chris Tanev, or maybe even Will Butcher. At 34-years of age, Tanev still has miles on his tires. If Matvei Michkov does indeed play in the 2024-25 season, the Flyers would like to shore up the defense position for his arrival, even more so than the center position.
The Flyers will not make a big splash at the center position either, unless it’s via trade for maybe Shane Pinto (If he’s available), but they could be interested in one of Sean Monahan and Michael McLeod. Monahan happened to be on my radar a few trade deadlines ago, and he’s got a lot of experience to help groom the youth.
A good comparable for Travis Konecny’s next contract is Timo Meier, as stated by Kevin Kurz of the Athletic. Meier signed an 8-year $70.4 million extension this past offseason.
I would surmise the Flyers would draw $8.8 million as the last line in the sand, although I think he re-signs for 7-years $8.5 million AAV ($59.5 million total).
If Matvei Michkov indeed comes to play in the 2024-25 season. The Flyers do not have to move anyone. They currently sit with 38 total contracts, which is 12 below the threshold of 50. In addition, I actually see the Flyers grabbing a nice right-handed defenseman in the free agent market. The Flyers would like to shore up the defensive position for the arrival of Michkov.
Lest us not forget they will move either Ryan Johansen’s contract or Ryan Ellis’s contract to LTIR when the season officially begins, in that case, they could would be forced to send somebody down to Lehigh, temporarily if it was indeed an every day player.
Do not worry about toal contracts or cap implications just yet. The Flyers are out of cap hell.
Honestly, I can’t envision many teams making a run at Rasmus Ristolainen this offseason, rather that could possibly be a trade deadline move. Ristolainen is coming off a serious injury, and I think teams would like to see him actually play in some games, before making a trade for this Right-Handed Defenseman.
Defensively, I could see the orange and black wanting to shore up the right-handed defense position, with the likes of Sean Walker, Chris Tanev, or maybe even Will Butcher. If Matvei Michkov does indeed play in the 2024-25 season, the Flyers would like to shore up the defense position for his arrival, even more so than the Center position.
The Flyers will not make a big splash at the center position, but they could be interested in one of Sean Monahan and Michael McLeod. Monahan happened to be on my radar a few trade deadlines ago, and he’s got a lot of experience to help groom the youth.
Florida’s 1st (2024), 2025 Second Round pick, Travis Konecny or Joel Farabee, Ronnie Attard or Oliver Bonk.
You have to give in this league, in order to get a talent like Brady Tkachuk, and trust me, the Flyers wouldn’t be the only team looking for his services. He would make a great fit with the New York Rangers, as well, and Ottawa knows that.
Danny Briere sure does have a honey do list, and first things first. Hopefully, Matvei Michkov will sign and play in the 2024-25 season. That’s the first thing, as this could alter some draft and free agency plans.
The next thing for Briere to do is assess whether it’s a good time to buyout the final year of Cam Atkinson’s contract. It sure sounded like Atkinson knew he would not be coming back, or part of the solution moving forward with the Flyers at the conclusion of exit interviews. To me, it sounded exactly like Kevin Hayes exit interview from the year prior if you can remember how that unfolded. The buyout period will begin on June 15 and last until June 30th at 5pm, or 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Finals are completed.
One last thing for Briere to do is finding an able bodied defenseman. Some defensemen to keep an eye on are Sean Walker (If Matvei Michkov agrees to come over), Chris Tanev, maybe even Will Butcher to name a few. In addition, adding one of Sean Monahan or Michael McLeod would be nice too for Center depth. I would love to see the Flyers go after Shane Pinto via trade if he’s available. Pinto be a major upgrade to the Center position for the orange and black. All in all in all, it’s going to be a fun offseason, so Buckle Up.
Per Russian law, all males are required to do a year long military service, or equivalent training during higher education from the age of 18. I do not know if Michkov completed this or not, and the only way to find out would be to ask him or even Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere. When Briere holds his pre-draft presser, this would be a good question for me to ask him.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our Twitter page @flyersknitty using #Flyersmail, or @JameyBaskow. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag.
