July 1 Free Agency Preview: Flyers Edition
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We're only about two months removed from the heartbreaking end to the Flyers season. Ron Hextall and Co. have had the past two months to prepare themselves for the offseason ahead, in which there are a few issues that need to be addressed. First and foremost, the Flyers need to clear cap space. They took the first step in this process by buying out the contract of R.J. Umberger. Unfortunately, Hextall negated any positive he did with that move, by overpaying defenseman Radko Gudas. Don't get me wrong, Gudas is a good defenseman, and fits our style of play perfectly. I just believe (as do others) that he could've been had for cheaper. Nonetheless, the talk of Gudas brings me to my second issue. Looming free agents are a problem this year, as the majority of them are young players, some of which could become contributors to this team. Now that Gudas has been extended, the main focus shifts to Brayden Schenn. Currently, the Flyers have roughly $11 million to work with. The belief is that Brayden Schenn's new contract will command a salary between $4-5 million per season. If that's the case, this leaves the Flyers with between $5.5-7 million to work with in free agency.
Free agency has always been a problem for the Flyers, especially during the Holmgren era. Bad contracts have been synonymous with the Flyers since Holmgren took over as GM. Most recently, the $25-million contract handed out to defenseman Andrew MacDonald serves as a prime example. As usual, the Flyers are headed for the bargain barrel, due to being cash-strapped courtesy of previous contracts handed out, as well as Jake Voracek's $94 million contract(!). I mean really, what did he do to deserve $94 million over eight years? That's a conversation for another day, though. Ron Hextall witnessed first-hand last season (on several occasions) that this team's main problem is scoring. As I previously stated, the cash-strapped Orange & Black will be bargain-hunting this summer, so let's take a look at some of their (realistic) options.
1.) Jimmy Vesey
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I'm going to be honest, prior to this summer I have never heard of the kid. The 23-year old out of Harvard was drafted with the 66th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators. Earlier this summer, the Preds dealt Vessey's rights to the Buffalo Sabres after being unable to strike a deal with him. Buffalo's trying to sign him, but it doesn't sound like it will happen, meaning Vessey's going to hit the open market. Insiders expect the Flyers to be the team in heaviest pursuit for his services, and after seeing his statistics, it's easy to see why. In his lone season with the EJHL's South Shore Kings, Vessey tallied 91 points (48 goals, 43 assists) in 45 games. He had a slow transition to Harvard, only finding the back of the net 13 times in his first 31 games. However, in his final 70 games with the Crimson, he scored 56 times (including 24 times as Captain in his final year). Being only 23, Vessey looks like a great fit for the Flyers. He'd fit in well with their youth movement, and would certainly fill a need in the scorer's department.
2.) Jamie McGinn
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Keeping with the "scorers" theme, Jamie McGinn clocks in at #2 on my list. He may not be the flashiest name on this list, and he's certainly not the youngest. However, the 27-year old is underrated in my opinion. In his eight seasons, McGinn has found the back of the net 91 times. That's an average of 11 times per year, but recently, McGinn's ability to find twine has improved. In two of his past three seasons, he's found the net more than 18 times. Sure, it may not seem like a lot at first. But, when you consider that only four Flyers (one of which was a defenseman) found the net more than 15 times last season, this will be a very welcome addition. McGinn's also got a solid two-way game, which is something the Flyers need. For those still asking why he ranks so high, he's figured to command a price-tag between $2-3 million per year, a number that the Flyers can afford.
3.) Darren Helm
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Helm is your prototypical Flyer. He's a solid two-way forward, that can find the back of the net. Helm won't find his way onto the top line, but as SB Nation affiliate "Winging It In Motown" says, he's a "damn fine bottom-six forward." The 29-year old forward was developed by the Red Wings organization, and has become a fan favorite for the work ethic that he brings to the ice. He's constantly in the corner, fighting for the "dirty" pucks, and he's certainly not afraid to go to work with the puck. In his six (full) seasons with the Red Wings, Helm scored double-digit goals in all but one of those seasons. I say "full seasons", because Helm's had three seasons where he's played in fewer than 15 games. Nevertheless, Helm would not only bring an incredible work ethic to the Flyers, but he'd come at an affordable price-tag.
4.) Johnny Gaudreau
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Could Philadelphia opt to break out the check book for a hometown boy? The Salem, New Jersey native played his hockey for powerhouse Boston College, where he amassed 78 goals over a three-season span. "Johnny Hockey" was selected with the 104th overall selection in the 2011 NHL Draft. That means that 103 others passed on him, and boy, has he made them pay. In two NHL seasons, Gaudreau has tallied 64 goals, including a 30-goal campaign last season. Johnny is restricted free-agent this summer, which means that another team could sign him, but would pay the price of draft picks. Considering his $925,000 salary last season, I would imagine he's in for a hefty pay raise. I estimate that he'll get a contract with an average annual value between $4-5.5 million, which would put his compensation at a first and third round pick. Maybe you'd consider me foolish, but I believe that this could be the Flyers best course of action.
5.) J.T. Miller
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My final candidate brings me to a team in worse shape than our Flyers, the New York Rangers. New York is just as cash-strapped as we are, actually worse. The Rangers may currently have more money, but they have a lot of work to do. In addition to extending Miller, the Blueshirts have to also address other RFA's such as Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and Dylan McIlrath. Add to the mix pending UFA's Eric Staal and Dan Boyle, and you can understand why I targeted the Rangers. With only $15 million, the Rangers are going to struggle to extend and re-sign all of these players. Miller's the most talented of the bunch, in my opinion. Prior to this season, he struggled in the NHL. His struggles were well documented, and included a couple instances where he was sent down to AHL Hartford to work on his game. It appears Miller did that, and than some. In his first full NHL season, he found the back of the net 22 times. Much like Gaudreau, Miller is in for a pay raise. It won't be as significant as "Johnny Hockey's", so it likely wouldn't cost the team as much in terms of compensation. The only question is whether the Flyers can actually structure the contract, to where the Rangers can't match.
As free agency draws closer, we'll begin to learn more on the Flyers strategy for the summer. Unfortunately, Jimmy Vessey is unable to sign with another team before August 15, so it could be a long summer for Flyers fans. Nonetheless, the rumors alone should provide some fun for us fans. Keep an eye out later this week, as I will be releasing my Free Agency preview for the Philadelphia 76ers.
