Photo Credit: NHL.com
The Flyers signed third/fourth line Center Ryan Poehling to a one-year $1.4 million when free agency opened.
I wrote a free agency primer before free agency began signaling the Flyers being interested in signing a third/fourth line Center and a depth defenseman. Poehling adds grit and a balance to the fourth line, d”He has a chance to move up or down the lineup, depending on how he plays,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said. “I think the type of person he is, he’s a character guy, obviously he showed it by betting on himself. It shows the type of character, he didn’t take the longer, secure deal. He wants to earn it. I think he’ll have that chance with John Tortorella. Torts is fair and Poehling is a guy who’s not afraid to work.”
Poehling, 24-years-old, netted seven goals and registered seven assists last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He can be a good utility Center on a team like the Flyers that need depth at the Center position. Poehling likes the idea of a rebuild because it gives him a chance to fit in, “I’ve always throughout my life just wanted to be a part of something special, being a big part of something that starts from the ground up,” Poehling said during a Zoom press conference at Developmental Camp. “I think this is an opportunity to do just that.”
“I just want to prove myself. I think that’s the biggest thing, you can never bet on yourself too much. I’m excited for the challenge.” – Ryan Poehling
This philosophy above could help push the young players with fighting for jobs at camp. Competition is healthy and it can be a good thing in terms of production, but it’s great for young player like Poehling to prove his worth in the NHL, “I heard he’s hard and he’s fair,” Poehling said of Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella. “That’s all you ask for out of a coach. At the end of the day, it’s a sport and we get paid to do our jobs and you have to do your job and compete. Going through all of those things makes winning so much sweeter, so I’m looking forward to that part of it.”
Poehling and the Flyers could be a match made in heaven. This could turn out to be a good deal for the Flyers, if it works out great, if not then the organization doesn’t re-sign him next year. Poehling is young enough still to make this contract look like a good one for the Flyers. On paper he forms a solid fourth line with Nic Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.
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