Yesterday was a quiet first day of free agency league wide. Many factors could have contributed to this, most notably fan uncertainty for the greatest game on Earth.
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Regardless, of how quiet the first day of free agency was, the Flyers had one major hole to fill and that was trying to find a replacement for the now retired Matt Niskanen. Finding a Right-Handed Defenceman during these uncertain times is not easy, however, there were a few notable Defencemen that the Flyers missed out on: Kevin Shattenkirk and TJ Brodie. With that being said, who’s left in the market? There is one sleeper too…
Travis Hamonic– RHD made $3.875 million last season
Andy Greene– Left/Right Defenseman
Tyson Barrie– RHD made $5.5 million last season
Sami Vatanen– Cap Hit was $4.875 million last season
Alex Pietrangelo– sounds like he might be headed to the Vegas Golden Knights
Dustin Byfuglien– Sleeper
Hamonic stands at 6’2 and weighs 205 pounds. He is a Right-Handed Defenseman that logged 21:12 of ice last season. Honic logs the minutes to pair with Provorov.
Greene was a nice addition by the New York Islanders. I have heard that the Islanders are still trying to re-sign him at the age of 37-years-old. He can play both sides (Left and Right), and he logged 16:32 of ice time last season.
Barrie appears to be headed to the Vancouver Canucks. I’m hearing the Canucks are heavily pursuing Barrie, as Chris Tanev signed a new deal with the Calgary Flames.
Vatanen would be a solid add. He logged 21:45 of ice time last season, but he only stands at 5’10. The Flyers have to fill this void with the Niskanen retirement, so Vatanen could log the minutes needed to pair with star Defenseman Ivan Provorov.
Pietrangelo is a pipe dream, but I do have him on this list, as he’s still technically available. Pietrangelo would look great donning a Flyers sweater though (I wish).
If Pietrangelo signs with Vegas, Alec Martinez could be on the move to shed some salary cap space. Martinez, can play both sides (Left and Right), and Fletcher could add him cheaply. Martinez is entering the last year of his six year deal, and he would not need protection for the expansion draft. The Flyers could fit in his $4 million salary with no problem.
Byfuglien could be a pipe dream or sleeper, as there is no indication he wants to play again. However, maybe Fletcher could lure him to Philly. He would also provide grit and physicality, as well.
To be honest Flyers fans there isn’t much left in the free agency market to fill Niskanen’s void. Fletcher again was correct when he said last week “Good luck” with finding a replacement for Niskanen.
Trade ghost Sanheim to jets for Laine then sign peterangelo and let zamula play