With drafting and signing undrafted free agents with the likes of Travis Sanheim, Ivan Provorov, Wyatte Wylie, and Philippe Myers. The Flyers seemed primed for long-term success on the blueline. However, Hextall wasn’t finished as he made a bold pick and selected a young defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk who committed to the University of Wisconsin before being drafted. For his efforts, Kalynuk has really turned some heads at the NCAA level, so much so, he was given a Pro option. However, Kalynuk remained committed to the University of Wisconsin hockey team as he told me in February, “The NHL will be here in one, two, or three years. I’m in no rush. I enjoy being Captain.” Kalynuk is a young man from Manitoba, and he says hockey has been his blood since he was born thanks to his dad.
The University of Wisconsin Men’s Hockey program announced Ty Emberson as the Captain next season on May 27, and Kalynuk was given 30 days to sign with Philly after deciding to turn Pro. Well, Kalynuk and the Flyers could not come to terms on an agreement, thus Kalynuk became a UFA. After further negotiations with the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that is closer to his home, Kalynuk has agreed to sign with them, per Mark Lazerus.
Kalynuk really established himself as a quality puck moving defenseman last season in 2019-20, as he has become much better in transition. Moreover, Kalynuk was able to exit the defensive zone cleanly, whether its by pushing the play up the ice, or looking for a quick pass to exit the defensive zone. For the season, he he recorded 6 goals, 22 assists in just 26 games, which is good enough for a .846% scoring rate.
The young up-and-coming defenseman in Kalynuk really showed his range by playing in any situation the coaching staff asked of him, and he has done so well with puck protection. His skating has appeared to be smoother than in prior years, as well, maybe he’s getting some tips from a familiar face Flyers fans have grown to love in his good friend Travis Sanheim.
There could be many reasons why Kalynuk wouldn’t come to terms with in agreement in Philadelphia. The most prevalent case is the stockpile of young quality defencemen in the Flyers system. For instance, Wyatte Wylie, Cam York, Linus Hogberg, Yegor Zamula, Ronnie Attard, Adam Ginning, Jack St. Ivany, and Mason Millman. The Flyers top brass were very high on Kalynuk, and they really thought he would sign. The question remains why didn’t the Flyers trade his rights to a team like former General Manager Ron Hextall did with Cooper Marody.
This decision was not an easy one for Kalynuk, but he sees a clearer path to the NHL, and the Blackhawks are closer to home. With the uncertainty of playing time in the Philly, it makes sense to take the route. Honestly, he always seemed like a confident player, who grew with better competition. Whatever the case may be, Kalynuk’s heart does not lie in Philly.
Projected Phantoms Defense for 2020-21:
Zamula, Wylie
Wotherspoon, Prosser
Hogberg, Bigras
Hextall would have got us at least one draft pick in return, like in case of Marody!
Another Fletcher screw up. How do you let a kid this good get away?
Sadly, we won’t get to see this kid in a Flyer’s uniform. I loved watching him play for Wisconsin on the Big Ten Network. He is poised and confident under pressure and besides being a great 200 foot player, Kalynuk can perform in every on ice situation, against the best players on opposing teams. This was a big loss for the Flyers. I believe Kalynuk will be a starter for the Blackhawks in just a year or two, depending on how this pandemic goes.