This off-season for Flyers hockey is one of the most critical offseason’s in recent memory. Chuck Fletcher has to get this one right…no pressure right. After the NHL Draft lottery saw two teams in the Metropolitan Division get the first and second overall picks. This off-season even got more critical for Fletcher.
One wrong move and this could set the orange and black behind the New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils for a few years. Both the Rangers and Devils will select 1 and 2 at this year’s NHL Draft. However, the good thing is Fletcher has some cap flexibility with close to $32 Million in cap space, and a ton of assets to use via trade if need be. Without further delay, here are our answers to your questions.
First and foremost Chuck Fletcher wants to add a Coach immediately and take care of some household cleaning with RFA’s, such as Ryan Hartman, Travis Sanheim, Travis Konecny, Ivan Provorov, and Scott Laughton.
Fletcher indicated in his closing presser that they “will be very active,” and that included possibly making trades. He also stated they could possibly extend offer sheets to other notable RFA’s. I can say with certainty with approximately $32 million in cap space, the Flyers will make some moves. Who that will be is anyone’s guess. However, Fletcher did say he would like to add a 2C, a Top 4 Veteran Defenseman, and a backup Goalie for Carter Hart. I can see the Flyers trading for a top 4 Defenseman at the Draft. There are really only a handful of Defencemen on the market I could see coming here via free agency, and that is Erik Karlsson, Anton Stralman, or Marc Methot.
Some 2C possibilities are Kevin Hayes, Brock Nelson, and Matt Duchene. Duchene will want the house, and I think Hayes or Nelson could help the Flyers win board battles anyways. Moreover, I think the backup Goalie will be either Cam Talbot or Brian Elliott, and either of these Goalies could be had for fairly cheap.
The Flyers will make moves for sure. Who they will be is anyone’s guess, but I will tell you that a culture change is in store for this club. Fletcher did not like how the Flyers finished the season, nor should he.
Fletcher said this past Monday in his closing presser that Wade Allison has decided to return for his Senior season at WMU. I think this could be a situation where Fletcher uses his asset for a trade…absolutely. It’s a risk to lose him for nothing if he doesn’t decide to sign next June. This could end up being a Cooper Marody situation. If you remember Ron Hextall traded Marody to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a third-round pick. I’m not saying Fletcher will do this with Allison, but I won’t throw it past him to possibly use Allison in a trade.
I hope Allison stays and signs next June. He could really be a huge boost for a team that has to get better with board battles, and Allison has a really good pair of hands to boot. Allison is a smart hockey player that knows how to get to the greasy areas to score a dirty goal or two. Let’s pray Allison signs next year.
He has elected not to talk to any media members, so take that FWIW.
Part two continued on the pages below:
