The month of June is finally upon us! Even though the draft is still a few weeks away, it means the offseason is about to heat up. Well, maybe in the case of the Philadelphia Flyers it becomes lukewarm. The organization has claimed to stay the course of their attempted rebuild, so there may not be much fanfare to go around in the summer of 2024, but what are some tricks Danny Briere and the rest of the front office could have up their sleeves during the offseason?
Number 5: Moving Up in the Draft
Given the Flyers are trying to adhere to their battle cry of a rebuild despite showing virtually no signs of a classic rebuild, the entry draft is a chance for them to course correct a bit by wheeling and dealing looking to move up. They’re currently picking 12th and either 31st or 32nd depending on whether or not Florida wins the Stanley Cup. They also have two second round picks and a single third round pick this year plus 10 picks in 2025 to utilize as well. Walking away with as many top young players as possible should be the goal of a rebuild, after all, but they’re going to have to get creative after their better than expected season hurt their natural positioning.
Number 4: Matvei Michkov Shows Up
There have been loose rumors for months as to whether or not 19-year-old Russian forward Matvei Michkov will make the jump to the NHL in 2024-25, two years earlier than expected. While the Flyers’ front office hasn’t said a word about his fate yet, it appears to be more financial and legal reasons for the delay than an inability or unwillingness from the side of the KHL to do so. The indecision may last well into the summer or he could show up next week or he may not appear for another year. Nobody really knows, but there at least appears to be some fire to the smoke about Michkov’s early NHL arrival and it would be some big news if he emerges two years before his due date.
Number 3: Nobody Gets Bought Out
What seemed like a prime summer for the Flyers to use a buyout with options like Cal Petersen, Cam Atkinson and Ryan Johansen at the forefront no longer seems to be the case. Johansen is “injured” which will prevent the team from removing him. Cal Petersen played a significant role for the Phantoms down the stretch and can serve as the third stringer at the NHL level, and there hasn’t been any real rumors to suggest Cam Atkinson is in any kind of true peril at this point either. We’ll see if there’s a change of heart from the organization when the buyout window opens later this month, but it sure seems like the team is committed to running it all back, even the black holes on the roster.
Number 2: Flyers Trade Farabee
The Flyers have a ton of money invested in some very average players and sooner or later they’re going to have to address it. The abundance of wingers the team possesses will be further compacted if or when Michkov arrives, so a choice may have to be made soon. They committed to Owen Tippett long term earlier this year, Konecny is in line for a gigantic extension whether it’s right or not, and Tyson Foerster is their up-and-comer that has adapted well to the Tortorella way of life. That means Joel Farabee and his $5 million aav are most likely on the chopping block. Chances are he’s move in a hockey trade for a similar younger, expensive player in need of a change of scenery, perhaps a center like Trevor Zegras would be a better fit for the long term.
Number 1: Top Six Forward Addition
Considering it’s been five years since the Flyers brought in Kevin Hayes, six since James Van Riemsdyk, and nearly 20 years since their last big forward addition in Danny Briere, the idea the Flyers go out of their way to address their offensive shortcomings definitely feels like a bold prediction. Despite their dead last ranked power play and 26th ranked offense, it sure doesn’t feel like addressing those things is high on the to-do list for the Flyers this summer, but if they’re serious about becoming a playoff team again, it’s a pretty glaring problem they’re going to have to address with some legitimacy sooner or later. It’s a bonus if Michkov actually makes it to North America, but he can’t be the lone man to get the job done. So is this the summer the Flyers make a big splash? It’s highly unlikely, but it’s certainly a bold prediction.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: nhl.com
brotherlypuck.com 