NHL Free Agency Begins With Flyers’ JVR Likely On Move

Free agency hits the Philadelphia Flyers and the NHL beginning at noon Saturday.

James van Riemsdyk is the Flyers’ notable unrestricted free agent. As of noon, he can sign anywhere without compensation to the Flyers.

JVR, 34, is expected to get an offer or two. AFP Analytics projects JVR to land a one-year deal worth $1.8 million. He made $7 million in 2022-23. He scored 12 goals in 61 games.

The Flyers picked JVR second overall in 2007. Chicago took Patrick Kane with the first pick. JVR played his first three years with the Flyers.

In the 2012 offseason, JVR was traded to Toronto for Luke Schenn. He played with the Maple Leafs from 2012-18. JVR was voted as the 100th best Maple Leaf in history, notable for an Original Six franchise that started playing in 1917. JVR could return to Toronto via free agency. He also could return to Philadelphia if he doesn’t get an acceptable offer.

The Flyers signed JVR as an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

Flyers Shouldn’t Be Active

Philadelphia isn’t expected to be a big player — or much of a player at all — in the free-agent market.

“I don’t expect us to be super active,” Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said at the draft on Thursday. “We don’t want to block our young guys. We want to give them a chance to play.

“And we’re not looking for long-term contracts either at this point. So don’t expect much in a couple days on that.”

Briere traded big salaries and assets in Ivan Provorov and Kevin Hayes — although the Flyers retained $3.5 million of Hayes’ salary for the next three years.

The Flyers have $10.3 million in salary-cap space, meaning a deal for a third-line forward or defenseman is possible.

Among The Top Free Agents Are:

Forward Blake Wheeler, cut by the Jets on Friday

Forward Matt Duchene, Predators

Defenseman Dmitry Orlov, Bruins

Forward Tyler Bertuzzi, Bruins

Forward Alex Killorn, Lightning

Forward Ryan O’Reilly, Maple Leafs

Forward Vladimir Tarasenko, Rangers

Forward Patrick Kane, Rangers

Defenseman Matt Dumba, Wild

Forward Max Domi, Stars

Defenseman Ryan Graves, Devils

Forward Michael Bunting, Maple Leafs

Former Flyers

On USA Today’s Top 25 list of free agents, four players have Flyers connections.

13. Shayne Gostisbehere, defenseman, Hurricanes.

The former Flyers’ fan favorite led all free-agent defensemen with 13 goals this past season. His 41 points are second among UFA defensemen. He played seven seasons with the Flyers, from 2014-21. He is 30 years old and is expected to land a multi-year deal.

17. Luke Schenn, defenseman, Maple Leafs

The physical Schenn, 33, led the league with 318 hits. The Hockey News reported Toronto and Schenn are talking in hopes of getting a new contract. He played four seasons in Philadelphia, from 2012-16.

18. Radko Gudas, defenseman, Panthers

Gudas, 33, helped Florida get to the Stanley Cup finals with his physical, imposing play. Gudas played four seasons in Philly, from 2015-19.

25. Erik Gustafsson, defenseman Maple Leafs

Gustafsson, 30, only played 30 games in 2020-21 with the Flyers. He has played with six teams in his seven-year NHL career. His 42 points last season led all free-agent defensemen.

Low-Key Free Agents

This free agent class isn’t bursting with star power. One potential free agent deal was made Friday when Lightning forward Corey Perry, 38, was traded to the Blackhawks. Chicago will be Perry’s fifth team in six seasons.

Vegas signed Ivan Barbashev to a five-year, $25 million deal Wednesday. Barbashev was a late-season acquisition from the Blues. He scored seven goals and 11 assists in 22 playoff games as the Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup.

One of the most available players on the market is Ottawa’s Alex DeBrincat. He has a year remaining on his contract but Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said he will not re-sign the right wing.

Two other Flyers are unrestricted free agents: Brendan Lemieux and Kieffer Bellows. Lemieux was a late-season acquisition from the Kings. He showed some toughness but presumably not enough to get re-signed. Bellows was not given a qualifying offer, so he is free to go elsewhere.

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Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins facing free agent exodus.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Possible destinations for free agents.

Chicago Hockey Now: Blackhawks not expected to be major players in free agency.

Colorado Hockey Now: Avalanche send out qualifying offers.

Detroit Hockey Now: Kris Draper was one of Red Wings’ best free agents.

Florida Hockey Now: Who could interest Panthers in free agency?

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens projected lineup going into free agency.

Nashville Hockey Now: Predators buy out Matt Duchene.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils don’t give out qualifying offers to everyone.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins’ free agent primer.

Washington Hockey Now: Three Capitals earn qualifying offers.