It’s been a busy few days for the Philadelphia Flyers and the party is far from over. With Free Agency just a couple of days away, the team have extended qualifying offers to four players, per an announcement from the team.
All this really means is that the Flyers have opted to retain their rights instead of letting them waltz into free agency. Chuck Fletcher mentioned just the other day how there are plans in place to give new deals to both Carter Hart and Travis Sanheim, so this is just the first step in making that a reality.
It’s also nice to see an intent to retain both Connor Bunnaman and David Kase, who have both seen extended time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and have appeared sparingly for the Flyers. There is a chance that either of these plays accept the offer, which would be a one-year deal at their most recent annual earnings with an additional 5%. Neither should be in-line for a huge payday or a sudden leap in games at the NHL level, so a short-term contract with a minor raise would make sense in this instance.
Charlie O’Connor would later reveal that Kase will be playing overseas next season and that this was a formality to keep his rights for when he returns just in case his development is expedited. Kase is a Czech international and was loaned out to HC Energie Karlovy Vary last season, putting up 25 points (19 assists) in 27 games. It looks like there’s a good chance that he returns to his home nation once again.
This is all routine for the most part, but the fun will begin when the negotiations open between the Flyers and Carter Hart, whose value varies depending on who you ask and what day of the week it is. Buckle up, the NHL offseason is in full swing!
Photo Credit: Alex McIntyre
