The 2024 NHL offseason is on the horizon and it’s the next big chance for change across the league. The way the Philadelphia Flyers collapsed during the 2023-24 season ups the ante when it comes to the team making progress during the summer, but in the case of the Flyers, if they want to add, they first have to subtract. So who is most likely playing their last games on orange and black?
We looked at players most likely to be bought out in 2024 already, so they will be excluded from this list.
Number 5: Scott Laughton
Even though the Flyers have balked on moving Laughton twice over the last calendar year during the 2023 offseason and again at the 2024 trade deadline because his leadership is so invaluable, maybe the late season collapse could mean they finally pull the trigger during the 2024 offseason as means to shake things up. His value is probably cut in half (at best) compared to what it was last summer, but if the old guard has to go, then they just have to sell Laughton at a lesser price because they were wrongfully bullish on moving him at previous opportunities.
Number 4: Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny should probably get traded, but whether or not the organization has the intestinal fortitude to pull off such a deal is highly unlikely. He’s their best trade chip by a wide margin, thus their best bet to land either a high pick or a younger star or two that is best served for building the future rather than locking another aging, mediocre player up to a lifetime extension before his current contract expires in 2025. It’s probably the most unpopular thing the team could do right now, but it’s also a decision they have to seriously consider for the betterment of the future of the franchise.
Number 3: Rasmus Ristolainen
There were recurring rumors throughout the season that Ristolainen could be on the trade block, but he was injured during the trade deadline thus he remains on the Flyers’ roster. The problem is he still has three years left on his current contract at a $5.1 million cap hit, which appears to be an unsavory number based on the chatter around the deadline. Do they retain cap to move Ristolainen? It wouldn’t be the first time Briere made that kind of call, but it’s those kinds of decisions that will come back to bite them sooner or later.
Number 2: Morgan Frost
The Flyers desperately need an upgrade at center and don’t have much room to do it. Sean Couturier is under contract forever, they just re-signed Ryan Poehling during the season, Noah Cates seems to be back in favor after a rough season and they’ve refused to move Laughton yet again. It seems as though Frost’s relationship with Tortorella has made serious progress, yet somehow seems to still be walking on eggshells. A clean slate for both player and team could be the best path forward for individual success.
Number 1: Joel Farabee
The Flyers have accumulated far too many middle-six wingers, and Farabee didn’t exactly step up his game to a can’t-miss level this season. They just committed to Owen Tippett for eight more years, Tyson Foerster had a successful rookie campaign, Travis Konecny is more than likely in line for a massive pay day next summer and that leaves Farabee in limbo if the Flyers want to make a serious upgrade to the forwards. He’s got four years left on his current contract at a $5 million cap hit, a bit of an unsavory deal considering he, despite having a personal best season, is still not living up to that valuation.
Honorable mentions
Egor Zamula
The 24-year-old rookie defenseman has fallen in and out of favor with the coaching staff all season long, and with the sheer number of bodies competing for a blue line spot, maybe his unsteady deployment could indicate that the pending restricted free agent may not return next season.
Bobby Brink
If we’re including RFAs that don’t have a forever home already carved out on the roster, may as well include Bobby Brink on this list too. Brink feels like a chip that, if the Flyers were to make a blockbuster trade, could be going the other way in a deal. A 22-year-old who has flashes of serious potential and has proven to be able to handle NHL minutes but needs a more patient coach to get the most out of him definitely feels like a key return in a trade for, let’s say, Trevor Zegras.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: nbcsportsphiladelphia.com
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