Flyers Sign Defenseman; Youth Movement is in Full Swing

The Philadelphia Flyers’ youth movement is gaining momentum.

They signed lefthanded-shooting defenseman Emil Andrae to a three-year, entry-level deal Monday that carries an annual cap hit of $903,333, per CapFriendly. The deal starts in 2023-24.

Interim general manager Danny Briere announced the signing of Andrae, a 21-year-old Swede who was selected by the Flyers in the second round of the 2020 draft. He was chosen 54th overall.

He is currently with the Phantoms on a tryout contract for the rest of this season. In two games with Lehigh Valley, he has a total of two assists.

Andrae played 51 games this season with HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League, and he collected 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) and three power-play goals.

He was tied for first on the team in blocked shots (42), second in power-play goals and average time on ice (20:29), third in assists, fourth in hits (48), and fifth in points.

A future Kimmo?

Some scouts compare the 5-foot-9, 191-pound Andrae to former Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen and current St. Louis defenseman Torey Krug.

Andrae still needs more AHL seasoning, but he gives the organization depth in case they deal one of their defensemen in the summer.

If the Philadelphia Flyers don’t re-sign UFA Justin Braun this summer and don’t trade a defenseman, their D would include holdovers Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Rasmus Ristolainen, Tony DeAngelo, and Nick Seeler. Minor-league defensemen Egor Zamula, Ronnie Attard, and Andrae will be knocking on the NHL door next season.

It is expected, however, that the Flyers will deal one of their vets in the offseason. That would shed cap space and help make the team younger.

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