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.
Flyers UFA goaltender, Brian Elliot, will test Free Agency, as expected.
Source Confirms Brian Elliott Likely Headed to Free Agency https://t.co/pn9d5LojX0
— Philly Hockey Now (@phillyhockeynow) July 14, 2021
Source: Ryan Gilbert and Philly Hockey Now
Nothing surprising here, its been a foregone conclusion that Elliot would test the free agent waters and after last season, the Flyers have very little interest in bringing him back unless all-else fails.
Seattle Kraken might be reluctant to take on high salary players in the NHL Expansion Draft.
This morning on @SiriusXMNHL, Elliotte Friedman said he thinks Seattle is going to be very concerned with maintaining financial flexibility coming out of expansion draft and the price will be “extremely high” to get them to take contracts
Not great news for #Flyers re: Jake/JvR
— Dan Silver (@dsilver88) July 15, 2021
Source: Elliotte Friedman, HNIC
In yesterday’s rumor mill, Pierre LeBrun said that the Seattle Kraken have “exorbitant” asking prices ahead of the NHL Expansion Draft and today from Elliotte Friedman, we see much of the same. As Philly is Flyers writer, Dan Silver, points out: this could potentially mean that the Seattle Kraken are reluctant to take on high salary players like Jakub Voracek or James Van Riemsdyk and focus their attention to forward Nic Aube-Kubel or defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. Then again, this could all be a ploy to get more leverage in trade negotiations ahead of the Expansion Draft.
Veteran Defenseman Keith Yandle is bought out by the Florida Panthers.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1415671805038137358?s=20
Keith Yandle isn't what he was in his prime, but if a team uses him like the Lightning did Kevin Shattenkirk in 2019-20 – easier minutes on third pair, PP work – he could help a contender.
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) July 15, 2021
Source: Elliotte Friedman, HNIC
I mentioned this in yesterday’s Rumor Mill that Keith Yandle, since he wasn’t asked to move his no-trade clause, could potentially soon be bought out (wasn’t breaking news as it was a common thought). I mentioned how Yandle has a close connection to Kevin Hayes and that could play a factor in the Flyers’ interest. Having said that, Yandle is not the all-star he used to be and continues to climb up in age, while also noting his poor defensive play in the 2021 playoffs. I would assume Yandle could look to play for the Boston Bruins who happen to be his hometown team or to a contending team on a veteran minimum contract.
Flyers potential FA Target and Toronto Maple Leafs’ RFA forward Zach Hyman’s rights could be traded.
Sources say the Maple Leafs have granted Zach Hyman’s agent, Todd Reynolds permission to speak with other NHL clubs to investigate trading his rights.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 15, 2021
Source: Darren Dreger, TSN
Teams won’t be getting Zach Hyman on less than a 7 or 8 year term depending on who he signs with, sign and trade etc… #Leafsforever
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 15, 2021
The Toronto Maple Leafs are exploring trade options for RFA forward Zach Hyman. Much like the Flyers did with Kevin Hayes and the Winnipeg Jets when they sent Winnipeg a 5th round pick in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights with Hayes, proceeding to sign him to a 7-year/$50 million contract ($7.5 million AAV).
With that being said, we already know Chuck Fletcher isn’t afraid to do a sign and trade. And if all-else fails, the Flyers could eventually pull the trigger on something like this for the 29-year-old Hyman. However, if the 7 to 8 year term is accurate, the Flyers shouldn’t come close to touching this and I don’t think they will.
Calgary Flames Captain and Defenseman Mark Giordano could be left unprotected in the Expansion Draft.
ICE BREAKERS: #Yotes Darcy Kuemper emerges as primary target for #Leafs and #Avs. Plus more on the goalie market, Giordano, Suter, Weber and Eichel.https://t.co/URARvkY5Xu
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 15, 2021
Source: Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff
As Chuck Fletcher alluded to yesterday on the Snow The Goalie podcast, a scenario during the NHL Expansion Draft could present itself in which the Kraken can select a player on a team and trade that selected player to another team in exchange for draft picks and other assets. Mark Giordano, 37 years old, has one more year left at $6.75 million AAV could potentially be in play for that kind of side deal. The Flyers are in need for a veteran defenseman. Giordano still produces a high number of top 4 minutes, and still contributes PK minutes despite his declining age. At $6.75 million AAV and 37 years old, its a hard sell. However, if the opportunity presents itself, Giordano could be another option for the Flyers in-experienced blue-line. Just a thought.
Detailed reports emerge of the Colorado Avalanche offers to Flyers potential UFA target forward Gabriel Landeskog.
Told the #GoAvsGo have made three formal offers to Gabriel Landeskog since the end of last season (19-20). 4, 5, and 8 year offers with the last offer coming in just above the 8 yr. $41 ($5.125) contract given to Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The 4 and 5 yr offers came in higher.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) July 15, 2021
This is interesting as based on these numbers, the Colorado Avalanche seem to be low-balling their captain. Landeskog is 28 years old and by the looks of things, it seems more convincing that he’ll test the open market. There have been no reports tying Landeskog to the Flyers, but as I’ve said before it makes sense on paper. Definitely something to monitor as Landeskog would be expected to draw a ton of interest on the market, hopefully from the Flyers.
For other daily news around the NHL for July 15th, click here.
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