As the clock keeps ticking towards Free Agency, there are some holes within the Flyers lineup that Chuck Fletcher would like to shore up for next season. Flyers fans can cross off a blockbuster type deal for a top-six forward off their wish list, as this most likely will not transpire for the orange and black. However, a minor free agent signing is definitely in store.
Unfortunately, after the Flyers re-sign their RFA’s (Philippe Myers, NAK, Nolan Patrick, and Robert Hagg) the Flyers will only have approximately $2 million of cap space left. This includes Oskar Lindblom’s new contract amount of $3 million, and Fletcher also has to re-sign Brian Elliott. With that being said, it’s going to be tough for the Flyers to move JVR’s contract, as many NHL teams are in the same situation as the Flyers in regards to the cap. However, what Fletcher could do is add a bottom six player that provides much needed physicality, and one that can pot a big goal to provide much needed depth within the bottom six units. From now until free agency, I will feature one player a week that the Flyers could realistically add for depth purposes. This week let’s talk about a Left Winger from the Tampa Bay Lightning Pat Maroon.
Maroon is an intelligent hockey player. He is strong defensively, and really has a keen hockey sense. Maroon isn’t the fastest skater, but he can pot goals in tight spaces, and is tough to move off the puck. He can board battle, forecheck, plays a two-way game, and possesses puck skills to succeed at the NHL level. For his efforts, Maroon can really score some big goals, and he can be utilized on the Power Play. He tallied three Power Play points with the Lightning this season 1g,2a.
This 32-year-old in Maroon is a solid journeyman as he is playing for his sixth NHL franchise (Formerly a Flyers prospect). Maroon is a bottom six player that plays the game the right way, and is good in the locker room. He could also play in the top six if need be, and more importantly has Cup experience. Moreover, Maroon would fit in well in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system, as he plays a solid two-way game. However, Maroon is physical most importantly, and he can pot a big goal or two, as well. For the season, he registered nine goals, and 14 assists for 23 points in 64 games played.
I know what everyone’s thinking, what would it cost to acquire Maroon? Maroon currently has a cap hit of $900,000, per Cap Friendly. Maybe the Flyers could obtain his services for the same salary of $900,00 or $1 million. He would be a cheap replacement for Tyler Pitlick, in case Fletcher cannot re-sign him due to cap space.
Maroon could be a huge asset for this young Flyers team. Even if Pitlick does in fact re-sign in Philly, Maroon could still plug a hole in the bottom 9 or 12, thus giving Head Coach Alain Vigneault four really solid lines to work with. Maroon would also provide physicality for the Flyers that was lacking in the playoffs.
Like the idea in terms of physicality, but I’d much rather have Pitlick’s speed.
Old slow what a maroon
I’m for keeping Tyler Pitlick too. He gives the Flyers some physicality and skates ell. Great on forecheck too
If the Flyers don’t keep Pitlick who was the only one who brought energy every night. Didn’t he have more goals than our captain?
He did for sure. Thanks for reading