Philadelphia Flyers
What is Going On With Cam York?
Free agency opens in less than two weeks, and Flyers defenseman Cam York is still not under contract. Entering the offseason, York was widely regarded as the team’s top RFA, and is expected to get the biggest pay day of all the Flyers restricted free agents.
While some (at least I) may have thought the team would prioritize locking up a player like York, the team opted to resign Tyson Foerster, followed by Noah Cates, with York and Jakob Pelletier remaining unsigned.
There has been little discussion regarding York and his contract negotiations. The last reports came from Anthony Di Marco, who reported that the Flyers could still be interested in the long-term deal that York wants. Di Marco said something similar to Travis Sanheim’s $6.25 million AAV would be something the Flyers would consider.
Di Marco also notes that the team is not itching to move him either.
It all sounds like normal contract negotiations, but here is where things get interesting.
The team was linked to Nic Hague earlier in the offseason. Big whoop, Hague would be competing for bottom-pair minutes, and would not be gunning for big money.
Most recently, the Flyers were linked to New York Islanders blueliner Alex Romanov by Stefen Rosner. This one makes me begin to think.
While no trade is even close to imminent, it has to make you wonder about what is going on with Cam York if the team is inquiring about comparable players.
Read More: 2025 NHL Draft: Prospects To Watch For in the Mid Rounds (+)
Why the Romanov Rumors Make No Sense
Here is the short and sweet.
The Flyers have their top-four, which will likely consist of Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Nick Seeler, and Jamie Drysdale next season, with Rasmus Ristolainen getting back in the mix eventually.
On the left side, the side which Romanov plays, the Flyers have York, Seeler, and the bottom pair duo of Egor Zamula and Emil Andrae. If the Flyers are looking to go after Romanov, it would be for a top-four role. So, does that mean Cam York’s future is in question?
Now, the simple answer could be that they would bump Seeler down to the third pair. That is very possible. However, I don’t see the Flyers committing $13+ million in one offseason to two top-four RFA LHD.
If the Flyers are inquiring about Romanov, to me, it screams York replacement.
That said, unless the York’s negotiations are not going well, the Romanov rumors make zero sense to me.
Read More: PhHN Daily: Mid-Round of the Draft; Trade Target Gone
Could Cam York be On the Trade Block
The end of the 2024/25 season was very turbulent for Cam York. However, regardless of what happened between York and John Tortorella that led to the bench boss’s dismissal, the team seemed to stand behind York.
I see no reason why they would not be trying to bring York back, or have not already, unless they are gauging his value on the trade market.
York is still very young and is a strong defender. He may have lost his offensive touch, but he is very much a No. 2 or 3 defenseman already. Those have value across the league, and with the Flyers actively trying to trade up in the draft, it might make sense that York could be a part of a potential package.
I do want to preface by saying I am team keep York. However, certain scenarios just make sense. York would very much be a part of a “king’s ransom” return for the No. 2 overall pick if the Flyers want to move up for Michael Misa.
A bit of an out-of-the-box idea, but the Detroit Red Wings are rumored to be looking for a young, but NHL-ready top-four defender, which is a bill that York fits. If the right player falls, maybe the blueliner could be a part of a package for the No. 13 pick.
There is no reason to believe that York is actually being shopped. But, to play devil’s advocate here, it is a lot easier to trade the rights to a player without a contract than a player with a cap hit above $6 million.
With still York not having a contract, and the Flyers looking for other defensemen, this has become an odd situation.
Read More: Flyers Draft: Takeaways From Briere & Flahr’s Pre-Draft Availability
If York Makes it to Free Agency, It’s Not the End of the World
Before I wrap this up, it seems like an important reminder to share that even if he remains unsigned until free agency, it’s not the end of the world.
The Flyers will still be able to re-sign him, even if he makes it to free agency. If a team decides to make an offer and York agrees, the Flyers have the right to match it and retain him. Or, if a team makes an offer that is too rich for the Flyers, then he walks. But, the Flyers would get the RFA compensation.
Based on Di Marco’s report, York would likely fall somewhere in the $6-$6.5 million range. That would return a first and a third-round pick to the Flyers. If a team goes above $7,020,113, then the Flyers would receive a first, second, and third-round pick. However, I don’t see that happening.
Needless to say, even if July 1st comes around and York still is not under contract, it should not be time to sound the alarms. This has just become a strange situation.
Read More: PhHN Daily: Pre-Draft Notes; Flyers Trade Up; Champions
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I don’t see York as a keeper. He seems average at best. Package him for the #2 pick at all costs!!!! 🤞🏻
I’d offer York , #6, #22 and #31 for #2. This way SJ could draft Eklund at #6 so he could be united with his older brother. It would also give the sharks a top four defenseman in York and two additional first round picks. It is a slight overpay, but worth it to pair Misa with Michkov.
Sold! Flyers have enough early 2nd round picks to ease the loss of the 22 and 31 overall. We need stars not depth. All in for Misa
Sharks aren’t not drafting Misa. Unless they got a Michkov or a couple 1sts from us. And fuck that. Misa isn’t worth Michkov or even a chance at McKenna next year. If you put James Hagens in Misa’s spot in the OHL last season he could have very well been the guy with a 100+ point season. College hockey is a much tougher league for a freshmen to play in. Although it’s a bit of an overpay. First I’d just try sending York, and or Brink, #22nd, 31st, and a 2nd. If it’s a “no”.
Then maybe offer York, #6, #31, and a 2nd. Then maybe add Brink as a sweetener if you had too. That would legit be worth Misa if he’s there. But tbh I would be more then happy with Hagens or McQueen. I’d be even happier if they drafted Hagens when he falls to #6 then trade #22, #31, and a 2nd to move up to grab McQueen in the early 10s/teens. Hagens and McQueen would be two elite potential playmaking Centers with ppg+ ceilings in the system. Then if they had the balls to go get Necas from Colorado this could be a legit looking forward group with some elite upside.
It would’ve been fuckin nice to have Misa, or Celebrini, or Smith, or Cooley, or Fantiilli, or Carlsson, or Smith, or someone with some elite upside at Center with Michkov. Misa looks like he’d have a sick af game next to Michkov.
Like to see what the Ducks would take for their RFA, McTavish……possibly start with York and see what else they may want.
Bring in McTavish and or Zegras! Zegras and McTavish would be sick af additions to this group.
There are too many possible trade scenarios that could include the two fringe players that could be on the block, York and Tippett. If the Romanov rumors are true, a straight up trade for York is possible. As well as the trade up from 22 to 11-13 which would possibly include York.
McTavish, JJ Peterka, Robertson are all hopeful acquisitions which could involve the aforementioned players as well as our plethora of picks and pipeline players such as Bump.
Intelligence and talent evaluation finally returns to the organization. It’s like Clarke and Holmgren are back.
Remember those days? The Flyers season wasn’t over December 1st then.
York must have had some blame for the blow up with Tortorella since Shaw benched him for their next game. If this is part of an overall attitude, York will be dealt. The Flyers typically have a low tolerance for poor attitudes.
Assume, both parties will be gone…Torts was the first, and probably soon Yorkie.
That is typically how organizations -sports and business alike- do it….wipe their hands of the entire issue.
York in a package with #22 and #31 to move up as far as possible. Draft Hagens or Desnoyers at #6 and then move up and draft McQueen or O’Brien. Should be feasible. Hagens and McQueen (Preferably) would make this team have some potential to be dangerous up the middle. Then they should go get Martin Necas from Colorado. Adding Necas, Hagens, McQueen and Luchanko, along with Michkov should give you some elite potential to take some top6/top9 spots on this team. And Hagens, Luchanko, Couturier, or Necas have the ability to easily move to wing. Although I’d immediately slot Martin Necas in Centering Michkov on the top line with either Konecny, Tippet, or Foerster on the left of them.