It’s been some time since the Flyers believed they were in position to justify writing a check for a high-priced free agent.
Five years out of playoff contention will do that to a team.
But there are signs the team might just be willing to loosen the purse strings this time around and there will be some tantalizing talents out there come July 1.
The following list is not necessarily a ranking based on sheer talent or salary attractiveness, but rather some players who might be particularly appealing to the Philadelphia team based on need:
(Name, position, age, current team)
>1. Aaron Ekblad, D, 29, Florida Panthers: It’s no secret the Flyers want to get bigger on defense and the 6-foot-4, 220-pound backliner certainly fits that bill. He’s finishing an eight-year, $7.5-million (AAV) contract and, at his age, should command more than that the next time around.
>2. Sam Bennett, C, 28, Florida Panthers: The Flyers traded away centers Morgan Frost and Scott Laughton, plus Sean Couturier is now the senior leader among years active by a Philadelphia pro athlete. Bennett is a fine two-way player coming off a four-year, $4.4 (AAV) contract and would fit in nicely.
>3. Ivan Provorov, D, 28, Columbus Blue Jackets: Would the former Flyer be willing to say good-bye Columbus for the right deal? While not a giant, (6-foot-1, 213 pounds), Provorov can clear the crease with the best of them. He’s completing a six-year, $6.7-million (AAV) deal. Only fly in the ointment: His younger brother is about to attend Ohio State, which could be an attraction point for staying with the Jackets.
>4. Mitch Marner, LW, 28, Toronto Maple Leafs: Talented, of course, but is the price tag too prohibitive? He’s coming off six years/$10.9 million (AAV) and that number is only going to go up. Still, those 102 points look mighty attractive. Competition for this guy figures to be somewhat intense.
>5. Brock Boeser, RW, 28, Vancouver Canucks: Just how strong is the connection between the 25-goal scorer and Flyers new head coach Rick Tocchet, last seen working for the British Columbia crew? If Tocchet whispers an endorsement in general manager Daniel Briere’s ear, it could happen. He won’t come cheap: Last contract was three years/$6.65 million (AAV).
>6. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, 29, Winnipeg Jets: Not well known in these parts because he plays in the Canadian west but he’s averaged better than 22 goals over his 10-year career. Price could be an issue, as he’s coming off a seven-year deal at $6-million per. Tocchet saw him often in his two years with the Canucks so he can vouch for his tenacity.
>7. Matt Duchene, C, 34, Dallas Stars: Dallas has been a strong contender the past few years and Duchene has been at the center of it all. Outstanding all-around player. Some teams might be put off by his age but there are plenty of guys in this league playing effective hockey well into their late-30s. The Stars got 30 goals out of him last year on a one-year, $3-million deal.
>8. John Tavares, C, 34, Toronto Maple Leafs: It all comes down to whether Tavares, who says he wants to stay in Toronto if possible, will be willing to play for something much shorter and less expensive than that seven-year, $11-million (AAV) deal he inked to bolt the New York Islanders way back when. He posted 36 goals last season playing for coach Craig Berube’s crew. Many believe the Leafs want to break up their “core four” (Marner, Tavares, Auston Matthews, William Nylander), so that’s worth keeping an eye on.
>9. Vladislav Gavrikov, D, 29, Los Angeles Kings: Another big defenseman (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) who does a number of things well. Part of a backline corps which played a big part in having the Kings finish second in the Pacific Division behind Vegas and ahead of the powerhouse Oilers. One sticking point: Several media outlets have his asking price at seven years/$7.6 million AAV, which seems somewhat high.
>10. Brad Marchand, LW, 37, Florida Panthers: A long shot at best, given the Flyers are on a youth movement/rebuild. Plus, the odds-on favorites are probably either a return to Florida (Why not? Top contender, great weather) or a trip back to his original club, the Boston Bruins. Not sure what his talent will command on the open market but this is the kind of tenacious little guy who can play into his 40s.
