Photo Credit: Our very own Lance Green
Faced with the harsh reality of the Flyers’ imminent need for a first-pairing, right-hand shot defender to play alongside the prize of the Flyers’ 2015 draft class defenseman Ivan Provorov, Philadelphia’s General Manager Chuck Fletcher made the decision this past July to acquire a proven veteran blueliner from the Nashville Predators: Ryan Ellis.
At the time, Fletcher was once thought to have won this trade by way of a clear and concise knockout for being able to acquire such an established player with a term left (at the time, six years left at $6.25 million a year) for a failing defensive prospect in Philippe Myers and a former number two overall bust in Nolan Patrick. Although, some fans may have begun to change their minds after Ryan has been able to play in just four games this season- three of which were in October and the next coming nearly a month later against the Dallas Stars back on Nov. 13th; where, come to find out, after returning to play in just one game he will now be out for another four to six weeks due to a nagging lower-body injury. Thankfully it does not look like it will require surgery.
This is quite concerning because, while we should all stand and pay homage to the way Justin Braun has been able to step up and play in Ellis’ absence, the question becomes “should Braun be expected to have to keep it up in order to keep his team in the playoff hunt?” At this point in his career Justin is a solid 34-year-old, third-pairing defenseman. While his play this season has no doubt been the glue that has held this team together, let’s not forget last season when he was forced into a similar role after the team failed to bring in a replacement for Matt Niskanen. His play deteriorated over time because he simply couldn’t keep it together all season and his team suffered as a result; Finishing the season among the league’s worst teams in goals against average and save percentage, not to mention total goals allowed.
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Now, no one can argue that Braun’s play this season should have him in early considerations for the team’s Barry Ashbee Trophy (award given to the Flyers’ best defenseman voted on by various journalist and broadcasters) but head coach Alain Vigneault recently released news about Ryan’s latest setback which will have him missing at least a month to a month and a half of the team’s upcoming games. Should they now look at other options?
The team- as a whole- has very little cap room to bring up one of their star defensive prospects Egor Zamula or Cam York, and it would not help much anyway because both are left-hand shots and not currently overachieving at the American Hockey League (AHL) level anyway. Besides, the team is already forcing the gritty defender Nick Seeler to play his opposite side for them as we speak. Imposing on a veteran defenseman who has made a career out of getting called up to the NHL when these things happen just to get sent back down is one thing but it’s not something you want to force on a potential future star. It could affect their progression immensely.
So, what do you do? Keep hoping that Braun will be able to endure? That seems like quite the gamble considering all the time, money, effort, and assets the Flyers have spent overhauling this team throughout the course of this past off season. If it can continue to work that’s one thing, but what if it doesn’t? Are you willing to gamble away not only the season but the 1st and 2nd round picks spent to both acquire Rasmus Ristolainen and to rid themselves of Shayne Gostisbehere’s incumbering contract?
Since Ellis’ latest setback, the team has already had to take on a very physical squad from Calgary, Tampa Bay (the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions) and the Bruins’ Perfection Line. To Philadelphia’s demise there doesn’t seem to be any sign of it getting any easier anytime soon. In fact, over the course of the next month (time Ellis will be out of the lineup) the Flyers will have to play Tampa Bay twice, the Eastern Conference’s top team- the Florida Panthers, the Hurricanes, the Rangers, the Capitals, and the Avalanche when they come to town.
So, I ask you: with no R.H.S. defensive prospects ready in the pipeline, little cap space to be had, and a reduced number of draft pick compensations to be dealt, should the Flyers go out and seek some potentially inexpensive help on back end? Perhaps in the form of 33-year-old, right hand shot defenseman Jason Demers, who is still to this day an unsigned unrestricted free agent even though he started out last season playing on the Arizona Coyotes first-pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. As recently as just a couple months ago, Demers has been heard on a couple of different podcasts saying that he still wants to play and is ready; when a team needs him he’ll be there, he will stay ready and focused. Since being drafted by San Jose back in the 7th round of the 2008 draft. Jason to date has played in 699 NHL games where he has managed to score 45 goals and 169 assists for 214 points, while at the same time being able to maintain a +31 average over the course of his career.
This 6’1 and 195 pounds puck-moving defender is familiar with Braun from their time spent in San Jose and could relieve some of the burden currently placed on his former teammate. Demers is used to playing big minutes while lined up against some of top talents in the league. While in the past Jason may have chosen to chase the money when deciding to sign a 5-year $22.5 million contract that paid him $4.5 million a season (with, at the time, the less-than-impressive Florida Panthers), he now might be humble enough to accept a nominal offer (like Keith Yandle did signing a one-year deal worth just $900,000 this year) to join a contender like the Flyers for a real shot at hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
While signing Demers to a (pro-rated) one-year prove it type deal may not seem ideal, I would have to argue that neither is the thought of having to entrust that a 3rd line pairing defenseman (Braun) will be able to endure another 4 to 6 weeks of having to play against the best in the league! Demers is still capable of playing in the NHL and adding a veteran player like him would only bring some much needed reassurance that if Braun or Seeler were to falter he would be there to fill in until Ellis receives a clean bill of health.
