Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
It has become apparent that Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher is building from the net out. He has added three defensemen in Ryan Ellis, Rasmus Ristolainen, and now Keith Yandle. Yes you read that right, it is official that Yandle will officially sign with Philadelphia at noon to a one-year $900,000 deal.
Yandle is from Milton, MA, and is good friends with Kevin Hayes. He has also played under Head Coach Alain Vigneault. The writing was on the wall for a recipe for success in Philadelphia, and he can fit right in.
At the age of 34, Yandle may not be the offensive defenseman he once was, but he can still skate well. In addition, Yandle brings leadership as he is a former Assistant Captain. Gone are the days to where there are no voices in the Flyers locker room. Accountability was a strong word for this young Flyers team this past season. With this new formed defense people will be held accountable.
Provorov, Ellis
Sanheim, Ristolainen
Yandle, Braun
Yandle has explosive skating ability, superior offensive instincts, coupled with great puck handling skills. He also possesses offensive instincts, to which Yandle has a heavy shot. Yandle is an asset on the power play, so the Flyers could use him there as well. He is a competitor, d Yandle isn’t that the defenseman that gets skittish and forces the puck in to bad areas, rather he is a defenseman that exits the zone with ease more often than not. The Flyers needed a defenseman that could calm down the play on the ice, well Yandle does that. Moreover, the Flyers needed a defenseman that possesses good decision making skills. Well, Yandle is exactly what the doctor ordered for this young orange and black team:
“We need some juice. We need some energy. We need to change the mood in the room and the energy in the room.”– Chuck Fletcher
The Flyers needed some toughness so they wouldn’t get pushed around anymore, especially after last season. The addition of Yandle helps in this area as he has had his fair share of bouts over the course of his 16-year career. For Fletcher and the Flyers, as he good shot from the point, coupled with his good decision making skills.
