NHL Free Agency
So, The Flyers Whiffed on Shabanov; What’s Next?
The Philadelphia Flyers whiffed on star KHL winger Maxim Shabanov, as he decided to come to the Metropolitan Division, just not the Flyers. Instead, Shabonov will be joining No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer on Long Island.
Was Shabanov going to be a guaranteed star? In all honesty, probably not. But signing Shabanov was a low-risk, high-reward move, which is precisely the sort of move to help get you out of a rebuild.
Shabanov was touted as what would have been the Flyers’ biggest free agency move, but they missed out. So, that leads us to my next question: Where do the Flyers go from here?
The trade route has still not gone away, and neither has the UFA or RFA market. However, the Flyers’ current cap space has made things quite interesting.
Currently, the Flyers have $4,616,905 in remaining cap space. The team has been unwilling to put Ryan Ellis on LTIR, so his deal is on the books still. Now, the Flyers have to find a way to free up cap space to resign Cam York, but also to make any other move, if they choose to do so.
So, with that, let’s look at some of the top remaining options if the Flyers decide to stay active in free agency.
Read More: Flyers Busy to Open Free Agency; Agree on Two One-Year Deals
Flyers Top Remaining Options This Offseason
5. Joe Veleno, C, UFA
Yes, the Flyers overpaid for Christian Dvorak to be their fourth-line center. So, why would another center make the list?
Well, center is still the team’s biggest weakness, despite the recent additions of Trevor Zegras and Dvorak. So, why not look into other options? Joe Veleno is the perfect buy-low-now, and possibly flip him for assets in the future type, exactly like Ryan Poehling.
Veleno would come uber-cheap. He would come in and compete for the 4C spot, possibly pushing Dvorak to the wing. If it does not work out, put him on waivers or send him to the AHL. However, it could work out very nicely for the Flyers. It’d be worth giving him a minimum contract.
4. Jeff Skinner, LW, UFA
Unlike the player to follow, Jeff Skinner to the Flyers could actually make a lot of sense. They were looking to go after an LW in Shabanov, so if they want to add more scoring on the wing, Skinner makes a ton of sense.
Skinner would likely be more than willing to accept a one-year deal, which would be a perfect bridge for the Flyers. Tyson Foerster could miss some time with his now being an elbow injury. Skinner could fill in the top-six while FOerster is out, and just slide down once he returns.
The one-year deal would allow the Flyers to take their time with prospects like Alex Bump and Porter Martone. Skinner would be a short-term contract that is cheap, perfect for the Flyers.
Read More: Report: Tyson Foerster Suffered an Upper-Body Injury
3. Gabe Vilardi, C/RW, RFA (Winnipeg)
Gabe Vilardi is one of the top remaining options, despite the fact that he is an RFA, not a UFA. For the Flyers, he would fit everything they need. Vilardi’s age still fits the timeline; he has size, and he is a great net-front player on the power play. Oh, and he can also play center. Vilardi is coming off a career-high 61 points and is looking for a big deal.
Vilardi is still unsigned by the Jets, which could let things become interesting. Maybe an offer sheet goes out? Or, maybe they trade for his rights? Who knows.
What we do know is that the Flyers will have to get creative and make space for Vilardi. On top of having to resign York, Vilardi’s starting cost will likely be $7 million, meaning the Flyers would have to clear about $8 million if they want to resign York and acquire Vilardi.
2. Nik Ehlers, LW, UFA
I’ll be honest, I don’t think the Flyers have a chance here, but it’d be silly not to include Nikolaj Ehlers on the list. He is the best remaining forward in UFA, and the Flyers, all of a sudden, could use a top-six winger with Tyson Foerster’s injury.
Do I think they’re a real possibility for Ehlers? No, not really. He’ll command a long-term deal with a cap hit of $8M+ per year. But again, he’s clearly the top-remaining FA, so it’s worth throwing him on here.
1. Bowen Byram, LHD, RFA (Buffalo)
Bowen Byram may just be the top player available. It seems very clear that he and Buffalo will be moving on from each other; it’s just become a matter of when and where he will go, and how he will be acquired.
Bryam is a solid all-around left-shot defender who would help bolster the Flyers’ group of defensemen, but also add some scoring from the blueline. It would not be a cheap move. The Flyers would have to clear plenty of space to make it happen.
Read More: Updated Flyers Prospect Rankings After the NHL Draft (+)
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If they could get Vilardi, that would be great, but probably too much dough and term.
Turn Shabanov into the next Gauthier. Pound the little $hit at every opportunity.
Great Idea
William – I know the LTIR rules are sometimes complicated, but what is the reason that “The team has been unwilling to put Ryan Ellis on LTIR, so his deal is on the books still.”?
In all honesty, I could not tell you what the hold up is. I read yesterday that they don’t want to start the season above the cap—they still would owe Ellis the money, it just does not count for the actual cap.
We currently have $4.6 million of cap space. If they put Ellis ($6.25m) on LTIR currently we only get the difference of $1.6 roughly. We want to use all of our cap space first before placing Ellis on LTIR which would give us an additional $6.25 allowing more moves and flexibility.
A lot of people think you get the full contract amount added to your current cap space when placing ppl on LTIR.
Package York and Barkey for Jets’ Gabe V.
Very disappointing. In free agency, they got a pedestrian goalie, overpaid for a basic bottom-six forward, and a couple seventh (or eighth) defensemen. Meanwhile, they allowed Shabanov, who was rumored all spring to be coming to the Flyers, to get away and sign with the division rival Islanders. I am not optimistic on them doing anything else significant. Where is the aggressiveness? Briere, when asked about Shabanov: “Yeah, I’m still waiting on that.” Great. They’ll end up filling out the roster internally with overvalued minor leaguers – Abols, Kaplan, whatever. At this point, they might as well have Luchanko and Martone make the team. At least they can get experience.
By the way, Jonathan, thanks for your great coverage of the draft – both the possible picks and the information on the selected players – and info leading up to free agency. Solid details provided here!
Not sure they let Maxim S ‘get away’…he chose the Isle….and it it is a standard NHL ELC contract AND only for one year…there is a cap on the salary. He becomes a free agent next season, unless the Isles can re-sign him.
Not sure how fans don’t get how things work. All dead money comes off books next year. Flyers are not taking on more dead money, keep developing young guys, draft more talent and sign story contracts so your free to spend when it matters. Flyers are NOT looking to sign big contract until next year. Danny has been doing everything right, alot if people just don’t get it. The real fans know.
Thanks. I guess I’m not a real fan; I’ve only been following hockey for a half-century. Wasn’t expecting any big signings, just something better than overpaying for a fourth line forward, a very average goalie, and a couple throw-aways. Briere could have done better. 20 years of the same crap is enough. Two years ago, the Capitals finished just four points ahead of the Flyers. This year, they won the Conference with 111 points. Things can be turned around more quickly.
Nobody “whiffed” on anything. Our forward corps is just too good for Briere to promise Shabanov the ice time he wants. That’s his choice to be a big fish in a small pond instead of having to earn his spot.
If he had any ambition, he could have made a major name for himself here by getting credit for fixing the power play. He just wasn’t motivated enough to try. Good luck to him on Long Island.
GV would be great but BB is probably the best need .