Photo Credit: Zack Hill
With so many Unrestricted and Restricted free agents for the Flyers General Manager (GM) Chuck Fletcher to make decisions on this off season. One thing is for certain, not everyone will be able to be back in a Flyers uniform next season. When faced with a situation like this a GM must look to subtract from a position of depth in order to be able to add to a position of need (that he must strengthen). By the general manager doing so it should create some much-needed cap relief.
The position that currently houses the most depth in the Flyers system would be on defense. This is thanks to the likes of former Flyers GM Ron Hextall and current Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher managing to discover great talent from all over the world, not only through the draft, but also taking the time to search for forgotten treasures in the undrafted free agent market. In addition, given this fluid situation the Flyers already have a phenomenal young core with Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Philippe Myers, Robert Hagg, and Samuel Morin all of which managed to fight their way through the Flyers system and now find themselves seated in their rightful positions in the NHL. As impressive as that list is, the list of drafted defensemen in the Flyers system that are STILL YET TO COME may just prove to be as equally impressive. With names like Wyatte Wylie, Yegor Zamula, Wyatt Kalynuk, Cameron York, Mason Millman, Ronald Attard, Adam Ginning, David Bernhardt still all on the way, Carter Hart should be clearing off a place atop the mantel place for a few Vezina trophies.
One prospect that was not mentioned in that list above, who has been in the Flyers system for some time now, is defenseman Mark Friedman. This now 24-year-old was drafted back in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in the third round. Mark played in the NCAA for the Bowling Green State University Falcons where he had two very impressive seasons. Since joining the pro ranks during the 2016-2017 season, Friedman has been proving his worth at the American Hockey League level for the Flyers affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Mark much like Robert Hagg is not a flashy player, you will not hear his name called a lot during a broadcast, but that does not mean he is not working hard or not doing his job. Friedman plays a solid defensive game and when needed has proven he can push the play jumping up into the offensive rush. Friedman sees the ice very well and rarely makes mistakes. Mark finishes his checks and even drop the gloves when needed. In the six games played for the Flyers this year during a call up (due to an injury to Justin Braun), Friedman held his own. Never once looking out of place.
Therefore, Chuck Fletcher should look to unload the likes of defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and his $4.5 Million salary. If he can’t locate a trade partner, then Fletcher should plan to place Gostisbehere in Lehigh Valley at the start of next season (much like the Flyers did before with the under performing defenseman Andrew MacDonald in order hide his salary). With
Hagg’s exceptional play this season, Freidman could step up into the role as A sixth defenseman. Thus, making defenseman Justin Braun’s services no longer needed. A move that would save the Flyers a lot of cap space! Braun was a costly yet great addition, who was able to bring some much-needed experience and guidance to a noticeably young defensive core. Through his and Matt Niskanen’s guidance, the Flyers have seen some growth coming from their youthful defensive core this season, which makes this 33-year-old defenseman-Braun (who is an impending free agent, and who made a hefty $3.8 Million this season to play on the 3rd pairing) expendable.
Now with all the up and coming defenseman in the Flyers system Mark Friedman might not be a long-term answer. However, Friedman has proven that he is at least deserving of a real shot at making the NHL in a full-time role next season. While Friedman is in fact a Restricted Free Agent at seasons end, it would most certainly cost the Flyers significantly less to retain him as opposed to keeping Gostisbehere or Braun. Friedman made just $749,000 this season and although deserving of a raise it should not be substantial. Offering Friedman a term close to the one Hagg is playing under now of two years-$1.15 million a season should get the deal done, and solidify the defense next season allowing time for some other defensive prospects in the system to further develop. To go along with that this deal would allow the Flyers the additional funds necessary to allocate elsewhere, in order to retain other much more detrimental free agents like Philippe Myers, Robert Hagg, Brain Elliott, Nolan Patrick, Oskar Lindblom, Derek Grant, Tyler Pitlick, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
Wow you need your head examined. If you want to open a spot for someone on defense you make a trade sending multiple assets that you now have for the best player you can get. Gostisbehere is not Andrew MacDonald. He will not be sent to Lehigh Valley and lose all trade value. He either plays a vital role in the future or he plays himself into a trade situation. All that being said, Freidman is a depth defenseman. He is best suited to be in Lehigh Valley and called upon when injuries are in play. Even when the Flyers lose someone to Seattle in the expansion draft next year Zamula York or someone else will be ready to challenge for a role by then.
Thanks for the read Buzz. But, I have to ask what trade value does Ghost have left? Where did his shot disappear to? What team in their right mind wants to take on a $4.5 million dollar a yr D-man that got sent down to the AHL this season and was still coughing up pucks, creating turn overs and is unwilling to play defense? When Ghost was up in the NHL he was the teams 7th D-man who took in many games from the press box. The Flyers have many players that do crack the starting line up on a nightly basis that need to be resigned, his salary could be used elsewhere. If so many teams were beating down the doors for Ghost why was he not traded at the deadline? The Seattle expansion draft happens not this off season but next. Zamula and York are great defensive prospects. York is going back to Mich. next season, and Zamula is hurt and recovering from a major surgery. He may not even be ready to go at the start of next season. Even when the Flyers decide to let Zamula turn pro it is most likely that he will need time in the AHL 1st. I did not say that Friedman is the next rising star in our system, but he is a guy who could be a cost effective option to fill a gap for the next season or two who doesn’t make mistakes. Giving time for those other guys to get ready. Saving the team Millions in the process.
I agree that Ghost’s value is as low as possible now. What I was saying was he is not MacDonald. He will not be going to Lehigh Valley. He would have to make himself attractive to another team by playing at the NHL level. He would probably not be protected after the next season anyway.The best option will still be a trade during the 2021 season. Braun will not be back season. The Flyers cap situation for 2021 is fine with Ghost’s 4.5 million. Friedman may or may not be penciled in as the 7th defenseman next year but he is certainly not going to play in front of Ghost. With the Seattle expansion draft coming next season all assets are important in trying to sway Seattle’s choice from the Flyers. The Flyers will be losing someone a lot better than when they lost Bellemare to Vegas. The team that is in front of the expansion draft will benefit the most.
I agree ther team will most likely lose a very good player to Seattle. Remember after resigning Myers, Hagg, Patrick, Lindblom, and a back up goalie etc. this season. The Flyers have to resign Hart next off season. That’s at least a $5 Million dollar jump in pay if not more.
The team should not trade multiple assets just to get rid of him. This draft is very deep and the Flyers would have to package a 1st and maybe more in order for someone to take Ghost. He is 2 years removed from having a decent season. Even in that season he was a -20 on the year. The guy needs a fresh start somewhere, but not at the risk of losing a 1st. to get back possibly a 3rd line player at best in return. Leaving him open for Seattle to select him might be our best shot at actually getting rid of him.