HIGH AND WIDE HOCKEY Articles,Podcast Flyers Off Season Rumor Mill Summary for July 14th

Flyers Off Season Rumor Mill Summary for July 14th

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021| Flyers JohnnyFlyers Johnny| 0 Comment| 1:18 am
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The NHL offseason has a lot of moving parts and It can be hard to keep up, especially with a large offseason due up for the Philadelphia Flyers. There are a lot of rumors that float around, often from both fake sources and credible sources. This is a new daily update mill that I want to start in order to provide quick updates (attached with sources/tweets) in order to address daily rumors that you might see on your twitter feed, or for those who don’t have twitter: these updates can come to your attention.

This update mill will be posted daily.

1. Chuck Fletcher provides detailed Flyers updates on Snow The Goalie podcast

Source: Russ Joy and Anthony SanFilippo of the Snow The Goalie Podcast

Here’s a Breakdown of the Interview:

12:15 Oskar Lindblom will be protected in the Seattle Kraken NHL Expansion Draft

No surprises here, after signing his extension at 3 years/$9 million ($3 million AAV) on July 22nd, 2020 after returning from a Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer Diagnosis, this was nothing short of an expectation for Oskar Lindblom. With that being said, hearing it directly from Chuck Fletcher is assuring. Lindblom chipped in 8 goals and 6 assists in 50 games last season, albeit being a little behind physically (expected), Lindblom was still a valuable asset on the Penalty Kill last season. After a full and healthy slate of training this off-season, Lindblom should be back to form next season.

13:55 Scott Laughton was either going to be signed or traded

The Flyers GM confirmed that during this past trade deadline, Scott Laughton was either going to be signed to an extension or traded. Fletcher stated that they would of rather kept Laughton than try to give up assets to get another player to replace him. On April 12th, 2021, Laughton signed a 5-year contract extension worth $15 million ($3 million AAV). Chuck Fletcher also hinted that Laughton took a little less and the Flyers added a 5th year.

16:30 Fletcher has had “7-9 conversations” with Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis for the last few months

Chuck says he’s been active on the phones, specifically with Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis in anticipation of the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft on July 21st. Fletcher brought up an interesting point where a trade could happen that would involve Seattle selecting a specific unprotected player from another team and trading them to a different team.

For Example: (THIS IS A HYPOTHETICAL, NOT REAL/REPORTED) If the Flyers want a player like Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild that would be left unprotected, the Flyers could make a deal with Seattle to select him from the Minnesota Wild in the Expansion Draft and in turn, they would trade him to the Flyers for picks, prospects, other assets, etc.

20:15 Jake Voracek could be left unprotected or potentially traded before next season

I mentioned this in my July 13th Rumor Mill Summary, but hearing it right from the horse’s mouth is always re-affirming. Fletcher didn’t outwardly say that he would leave Jake Voracek unprotected, but it was strongly suggested (give the podcast a listen and interpret it for yourself). As it stands, Voracek is 32 years old and currently has 3 years left on his 8-year/$66 million contract with a cap hit of $8.25 million AAV.

24:45 Chuck address the issue with ‘goals against’ and he hints at adding a player defensively (Thank God)

Again, this is something that was pretty much common knowledge but it’s definitely re-assuring to hear Fletcher iterate it.

27:15 “I don’t know if we can run it back, we have too many holes to fill”

This was my favorite part of the interview. The Flyers GM mentions the inexperience on the blue line and the 4th line specifically. He cited the loss of veterans Nate Thompson, Tyler Pitlick and Matt Niskanen as notable losses. He mentions more of an identity for the 4th line and adding that aforementioned experience, which personally, was sweet, sweet music to my ears.

33:15 Chuck acknowledged how fans probably weren’t too happy with him 

This isn’t much of news, but at least, he knows. Now we can hope that comes out aggressively this off-season.

2. The Flyers made the list! They are included on Vladimir Tarasenko’s 10-team potential trade list

Source: Jeremy Rutherford, The Athletic

The Flyers have been included in Vladimir Tarasenko’s 10-team trade list, according to The Athletic. The list seems to be Metropolitan Division heavy as it includes the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and rivals Boston Bruins. Tarasenko is 29 years old and has two years left on his 8-year/$60 million contract ($7.5 million AAV). Tarasenko has been riddled with shoulder injuries the past two seasons, playing just 34 games in that span. Before that, Tarasenko registered 33, 33, 39, 40, and 37 goals in the five seasons before that. The previous package that was reported by Rutherford was F Morgan Frost and D Philippe Myers in exchange for Vladimir Tarasenko. The issue, however, would be how the Flyers would make room for his $7.5 million cap hit.

3. The Gabriel Landeskog UFA sweepstakes is gaining more traction

Source: Peter Baugh, The Athletic

From the sound of the article, it appears that Gabriel Landeskog is relatively frustrated in terms of negotiations with the Colorado Avalanche and in turn, could result in him entering free agency as a UFA. The Colorado Avalanche have multiple needs this off-season including signing multiple goalies, re-signing veterans like Brandon Saad and Tyson Jost, and most notably, re-signing RFA Cale Makar to an expected lucrative deal. That being said and as I mentioned on yesterday’s Flyers Rumor Mill Summary (LINK LINK LINK), the Flyers have not been tied to Gabriel Landeskog, although the addition makes sense on paper.

4. The Seattle Kraken have “Exorbitant” asking prices ahead of the NHL Expansion Draft

Initially, this was my response:

Anyways, Exorbitant = “extremely high”. As in, the Seattle Kraken have extremely high asking prices ahead of the Expansion Draft. If you’re wondering where their leverage is coming from, it’s easy: The Seattle Kraken have the ability to “redeem” or “save” a team from an undesirable contract or to select an agreed-upon player in exchange for that team giving them draft picks or additional prospects.

With that being said, the Kraken have a cap floor to hit and I am sure that their new fan base wants them to be competitive early, given the early success of the 2017 Expansion team, Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Flyers GM, Chuck Fletcher said yesterday during his press conference that he would allow Seattle to have their choice at an unprotected player but he did not rule out working a side deal. Fletcher even doubled down on that yesterday afternoon during the Snow The Goalie podcast as he said he has had “7-9” conversations with Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis (see bullet point #1) in the past few months. It will be interesting to see if the Flyers work out a deal in order for the Kraken to specifically take a large forward contract off the books in Jakub Voracek or James Van Riemsdyk. However, a large cost may deter Chuck Fletcher from doing so.

5. Keith Yandle has NOT been asked to waive his No-Move Clause by the Florida Panthers

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1415321833822461955?s=20

Source: Elliotte Friedman, Hockey Night in Canada

This is an interesting move by the Florida Panthers because it essentially means that they will have to use a protection slot on Yandle for the upcoming NHL Expansion Draft on July 21st. Many are speculating that if the Panthers plan on keeping Yandle through the Expansion Draft, this could lead to a potential buyout of Yandle and his contract (similarly to what the Minnesota Wild did yesterday to veterans, Zach Parise and Ryan Suter). Yandle, 34 years old, has 2 more years left on his 7-year/$44 million contract with an AAV of $6.350 million. The Flyers currently haven’t expressed interest in Yandle but with his close connection to Kevin Hayes and the Flyers need for a veteran defenseman, it’s something to monitor. Personally, after seeing Yandle during this past playoffs, the Flyers should pursue a more defensively sound veteran blueliner, just my opinion.

6. Potential Flyers Target and Pending UFA Zach Hyman is expected to pursue Free Agency

Source: Pierre LeBrun, TSN

Source: Darren Dreger, TSN

Pierre LeBrun reports that F Zach Hyman and the Toronto Maple Leafs are far apart on contract negotiations which would lead him to test the market on Free Agency. Darren Dreger also hints that Hyman could seek around $5 million AAV on the open free agent market. This is something to monitor as the Flyers could eventually be in play for Hyman, granted they strike out on bigger names in the free agent and trade market although no source has directly tied the two parties.

7. Buffalo Sabres’ Jeff Skinner waives No-Move Clause and will be left unprotected in the NHL Expansion Draft

Source: John Vogl, The Athletic

Although this is not directly related to the Flyers, this could somewhat be indirectly significant. Although it is highly unlikely that the Seattle Kraken select Skinner, the possibility still looms. Skinner, 29, has a whopping 6 years left on his 8-year/$72 million contract at $9 million AAV. Again, I would not assume Seattle takes him. However, this means, if the Seattle Kraken select one expensive contract in the Expansion Draft, they may not be enticed to take on another. Moves like this could be the difference of the Seattle Kraken selecting a contract like Shayne Gostisbehere ($4.5 million AAV) or Nic Aube-Kubel ($1.075 million AAV) versus selecting a contract like James Van Riemsdyk ($7 million AAV) or Jakub Voracek ($8.250 million AAV).

8. Flyers Potential UFA D Adam Larsson Target is potentially nearing contract with Edmonton

Source: Ryan Rishaug, TSN

Source: Mark Spector, Spector Sports

As seen above, as of July 1st, the Flyers were rumored to be interested in 28 year old pending UFA Defenseman Adam Larsson. As of today, July 14th, Larsson is reportedly considering re-signing with the Edmonton Oilers with their latest offer, reported by TSN. It is definitely something to monitor as the Flyers are seeking veteran defensemen for their 2nd and 3rd pairing.

9. Bruins re-sign RFA D Brandon Carlo to a 6-year/$24.6 million Contract Extension

Source: Boston Bruins Official Twitter Account

The Boston Bruins announced that they have re-signed 24 year old RFA Defenseman Brandon Carlo to a 6-year/$24.6 million contract ($4.1 million AAV). This type of term is a common theme that we have seen so far this NHL Offseason with longer term contracts for lower average annual value. Perhaps the perception is becoming players want more guaranteed money for a longer amount of time in a consistent place versus getting paid larger amounts for a shorter term and running the risk of one, underperforming in a shorter term and two, switching locations. The Edmonton Oilers’ 28 year old UFA forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was re-signed to an 8-year/$41 million contract extension ($5.125 million AAV) and the Minnesota Wild’s 24 year old RFA forward Joel Eriksson-Ek was re-signed to an 8-year/$42 million contract extension ($5.25 million AAV).

This is something to monitor as the Flyers have multiple pending RFA’s coming up this offseason: 22 year old Goaltender Carter Hart, 25 year old defenseman Travis Sanheim and 22 year old forward Nolan Patrick. While looking ahead to next offseason, the Flyers will have to tender a 22 year old RFA forward Joel Farabee and UFA forwards, Claude Giroux (34 next season) and Sean Couturier (29 next season).

 

Around the League NHL Headlines:

1. Bruins Defenseman Kevan Miller has announced his retirement from hockey at age 33. Miller cites injuries as the primary reason for the retirement.

2. Edmonton Oilers trade RFA Goaltender Dylan Wells to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations

3. Former 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Defenseman Brent Sopel speaks up about the team’s 2010 Sexual Assault Allegations

4. Colorado Avalanche Defenseman Erik Johnson has waived his No-Move Clause ahead of the NHL Expansion Draft

5. Free Agent Goaltender Chris Driedger is seeking $3.5 million AAV on the open market and the Seattle Kraken are interested

6. Penguins sign UFA Forward Teddy Blueger to a 2-year/$4.4 million contract ($2.2 million AAV)

7. Montreal Canadiens are NOT Protecting All-Star Defenseman and Captain Shea Weber due to Injury and It might be because he could end up retiring

https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1415460383800893446?s=20

 

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