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Flyers sign RFAs German Rubtsov and Linus Sandin to one-year contracts

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Flyers sign RFAs German Rubtsov and Linus Sandin to one-year contracts

Chuck Fletcher and the Philadelphia Flyers tied up some loose ends on Monday afternoon. The Flyers announced that they have re-signed pending restricted free agent forwards German Rubtsov and Linus Sandin to one-year, two-way contracts. They each have a cap hit of $750,000.

Here is the press release, via the Flyers:

Rubtsov, 22 (6/27/1998), spent the 2020-21 season on loan to HK Sochi of the KHL, where he had three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 46 games. He had split the 2019-20 season with the Flyers and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, until both leagues paused their season in March of 2020. Rubstov had two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 42 games with the Phantoms, while also appearing in four games with the Flyers.

Rubtsov appeared in 14 games for the Phantoms during an injury-shortened 2018-19 season, collecting six goals and four assists for 10 points. It was his first season as a professional in North America following a junior career that included parts of two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and time in Russia’s MHL and KHL. 

A 6-0, 187-lb native of Chekhov, Russia, Rubtsov was selected by the Flyers in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Sandin, 25 (5/19/1996), enters his second season with the Flyers organization. He originally signed with the Flyers on April 29, 2020 and split the 2020-21 season between HV71 in Sweden (20 GP, 4-6-10) and the Phantoms (26 GP, 6-4-10).  Sandin signed with the Flyers after spending three seasons in the Swedish Hockey League with Rogle BK and HV71; he has a total of 42 goals and 34 assists for 7 6 points in 163 games over parts of four seasons in the circuit, which is Sweden’s top professional league. 

A 6-1, 209-lb native of Uppsala, Sweden, Sandin spent parts of three seasons playing junior hockey in the MODO Hockey organization before making the jump to the professional ranks, beginning with two seasons in Allsvenskan. His junior career was highlighted by a 47-point season over 37 games in 2014-15, which led the team in scoring and ranked sixth in the J20 SuperElit league. 


While neither of these contracts are exciting moves, they were safe and necessary ones for the Flyers.

Projecting the Flyers’ protected list for the Seattle Kraken expansion draft

Rubtsov is still young enough where he can turn his game around, even if he is looking like a bust. He may not have the Scott Laughton-type turnaround in him, but signing him for $750,000 can’t hurt.

Sandin is a good depth option for the Phantoms, and possibly the Flyers if he can find his game in North America. His success in Sweden shows that he has it in him if he can find the right fit.

Neither Rubtsov nor Sandin are expected to make a huge impact –– if an impact at all –– for the Flyers this season.


Photo: Heather Barry Images

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Ryan is a proud graduate of Monmouth University. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers for the better part of a decade at various outlets, including Sons of Penn and Broad Street Hockey. Ryan has also worked for NHL.com and NBC Sports Regional Networks. Whether it's a GIF, quick stat, analysis, or long-form column, he's got you covered.

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