Notes From Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher’s Free Agency Presser

Photo Credit: Zack Hill

Chuck Fletcher wheeled and dealed yesterday on the first day of free agency, as he signed three players to the main roster, and five players for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms as depth players. Following these acquisitions he met with the media, and here are the notes from yesterday’s presser.

Chuck Fletcher on more moves for the Flyers: “I’m not sure. We are going to take a minute. We have flexibility to sign Carter Hart and Travis Sanheim.”
It appears the Flyers are done with moves and will shift focus to Hart and Sanheim. Fletcher said he will reach out to both camps.
Fletcher said, “If we defend better in front of our Goaltenders it will help them be better players.”
Fletcher said he needed more experience and quality people, thus the experienced acquisitions. Says they were very young in certain areas last year.
Fletcher said Nate Thompson brings size and grit. Mentions him being a good penalty killer and good with faceoffs.
Fletcher on Martin Jones: “He’s only 31 years of age and perhaps as importantly as all of those points, he’s very familiar with Kim Dillabaugh. He and Kim have a strong relationship. I think they both feel strongly that they can do the things they need to do to get Martin’s game going the way everybody would like to see it go.”
Fletcher said Keith Yandle will play on the power play: “I think he’s perfectly complements our existing D corps. A left shot was something we felt we needed. Somebody to help with the powerplay. Keith is very good at moving the puck up the ice.”
Chuck Fletcher on Cam York: “I think Cam’s play will dictate when he arrives in the NHL. What this move does is just give us more depth. You need a lot of defenseman to get through a season.”
Fletcher said Kevin Hayes was an important selling point for Philadelphia: “Certainly, Kevin was an important part of selling the virtues of coming to the Philadelphia Flyers.”

What will happen this season is anyone’s guess, but this team has far more leadership and accounting ability should not be a problem this season.