Trying To Make Sense Of The Flyers Off Season And Deciding On Whom Might They Still Need: How About Madison Bowey

Although, Matt Niskanen will be missed, Philadelphia still has an amazing youthful defensive core with names like Ivan Provorov leading the way, followed closely by Travis Sanheim, Philippe Myers, and (let’s not forget) Robert Hagg- who led the team in hits last season.

This core played so well that it pushed the teams once-thought-to-the-be-next-big-star defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (who made $4.5 million dollars last season) right out of a starting role. Even though his name has been in multiple rumors the Flyers still have been unable to trade Gostisbehere to date to free up cap space. Two players that will be battling Gostisbehere for a spot on the roster next season are the 6’7 Sam Morin (who is set to return from yet another season-ending injury) and the unproven Mark Friedman. Just how much trust should be put into
these three players though? One has had hip surgery, and both knees operated on (Gostisbehere) another (Morin) has had his right knee operated on twice for multiple ACL tears.

The Flyers also has a logjam of defenseman on their way in their system as well with names like: Yegor Zamula, Wyatte Wylie, Cameron York, Mason Millman, Ronald Attard, Adam Ginning, Linus Hogberg, and Jack St. Ivany just to name a few.

Now very few of these guys mentioned above are right-hand shots. In fact, besides Myers, the next best right-hand shot defenseman currently coming up through the system would be Mark Friedman. Mark was re-signed during the lockout (due to the pandemic) largely because of his efforts during his regular season call-up while members of the Flyers’ defense were injured. Only thing was, when given a shot after play resumed, Friedman played small- looking cautious and overwhelmed. This led to most fans (this writer included) to begin to rethink the possibility of trusting Mark with an every night spot in the Flyers lineup for next season. Chuck Fletcher (The Flyers’ General Manager) must have had similar thoughts as well: Shortly after the team made the announcement that Matt Niskanen was retiring, the Flyers announced the re- signing of the 33-year-old right-hand shot defenseman Justin Braun on the same day.

This signing came with some mixed emotions though: Although it is hard to dislike the willingness of Braun to sign a hometown discount where he will get paid $1.8 million dollars a year, which is a $2 million dollars reduction in salary annually from his previous contract, the term of two years left some uneasy, with the fear being that it might block some of the team’s
budding young prospects like Zamula, York, Wylie, and Millman from being able to advance when they’re ready.

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Even after re-signing Braun, Philadelphia looked destined to seek out yet another right- hand-shot defenseman to round out the roster, being that the team was so depleted of those within their own system.

With the draft now set to commence, Chuck Fletcher seemed to have his plan laid out for him by seeking out scoring wingers and at least one right-hand-shot defenseman. Chuck got his wingers but choose to select yet another left-hand-shot defenseman in the 5’9 Swede Emil Andrae with the teams 54th overall selection. In many people’s mind, this pick could have been better utilized to secure one of the many high-scoring wingers that went immediately after the Flyers’ selection. Instead, the team will have this undersized talent be buried by the pure depth of defenseman just like him in the Flyers’ system already.

Shortly thereafter unrestricted free agency launched. After a quiet first few days the Flyers GM shocked the fan base yet again when he choose to bring in not one but TWO MORE LEFT HAND SHOT defenseman. The first one being Erik Gustafsson whom Fletcher shelled out $3 million dollars of the teams limited cap space to for a one-year term. This signing is a hopeful one because this 28-year-old Swedish born player is coming of yet another disappointing season after reaching career highs back in the 18-19 season with 17 goals, 43 assists, for 60 points. The Flyers are hoping Erik can return to his then form and bring some offense to the Flyers lineup; but doesn’t this sound familiar? It seems like the Flyers have a similar player already like this on their roster. Can you say Gostisbehere 2.0?

The other freshly signed defenseman was more of a depth signing when the Flyers inked former 1st round pick 26-year-old LEFT-HAND-shot defenseman Derrick Pouliot to a contract. Pouliot will most likely spend his time playing for the team’s American Hockey League affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and be available for a call up when necessary.

Would the Flyers have been better off not signing Justin Braun and/or Erik Gustafsson, and used all that cap space on a more proven right-hand-shot defenseman like Kevin Shattenkirk, Tyson Barrie, Sami Vatanen, or Travis Hamonic to try and fill the void left behind by Niskanen? We will never know. But they still might have a chance to right their wrongs if needed. Most believe Fletcher is not done this off season and, if the rumors are true, would potentially be still in on a trade that could bring in a star player like the one that is rumored to be on his way out of Winnipeg). With any luck, if a trade of this magnitude were to happen there would be vacancies left in the lineup once again.

If that is the case, the Flyers should then turn to a more logical signing (the still vastly unknown) Stanley Cup winner Madison Bowey! This 6’2 202-pound, 25-year-old, RIGHT-HAND-shot defenseman would solidify the bottom half of the defense core. Or he could be a more superior choice for the role of the teams’ seventh defenseman- if needed. Bowey was forced to play on the Detroit Red Wings last season (a team that seemed to be starting a rebuild or in other words tanked to try and receive the number one overall pick). Madison ended up there after being traded by the Washington Capitals (who Bowey helped hoist a Stanley Cup with in the 17-18 season) along with a second-round pick, in exchange for defenseman Nick Jensen. Now I assure you that Madison’s offensive numbers may not blow you away, but his defensive skill set will. Bowey possesses great on ice vison which he has been known to use to make tremendous outlet passes and set up some highlight reel goals. Madison plays a physical game and is not afraid to lay a big open ice hit. When his hits draw attention from his opponent’s tough guys, he is always a willing combatant.

Since his early years playing in juniors all Bowey knows how to do is win! Proof of this would be his Gold medal he won playing for team Canada during the ‘12-‘13 World Junior Championship (WJC) in the “under 18” division, and in the ‘14-‘15 season he served as Captain to the Kelowna Rockets where he led them to a Western Hockey League (WHL) championship. Immediately after that accomplishment Madison went back to the WJC- this time playing in the fierce “under 20” division where he helped Canada bring back Gold once again.

His work ethic and determination have proven themselves evident in helping accomplish his goals. Madison now plays with a mindset of a 30-year-old veteran while he is still managing to be paid like a rookie (Bowey made just $1 million dollars last season).

With players like this still out on the open market the Flyers shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger on a potential trade that could bring back an offensive force that the team so desperately needs- even if it means giving up a solid defenseman like Travis Sanheim (for example as he is someone whose name has been rumored to have at least been thrown around by inquiring teams). Keep in mind that Sanheim is due for a new contract after this upcoming season and will probably be set for yet another raise, so taking that deal and then signing a player like Madison Bowey (who could fill in for a year until Zamula or others are ready) might be a wise/cheaper
decision in the long run as far as the defense goes. That’s why if the opportunity presents itself the Flyers should invest in quality over quantity (recent signings) and ink this just 25-year-old who has already achieved what so few players ever do (winning a Stanley Cup). For this writer
feels that the best is still yet to come from the young Madison Bowey and (call me crazy) why not take a shot at a DEFENSEMAN whose main focus is to not allow goals to be scored on his goaltender, which should always come before trying to score goals himself? Madison is the type of player who would bring experience and toughness that could continue to develop, and thus be around for a long time to come.

Follow Lance Green on Twitter @lngbassist39