On the Philadelphia Flyers …
Dave Isaac: GM Ron Hextall said that at the moment the plan is not to buy out forward Jori Lehtera but said that plans can change. The buyout window isn’t until June.
Dave Isaac: Hextall would like to bring Valtteri Filppula back next year. Their other pending free agents have been told that they don’t plan on bringing them back.
John Boruk: Hextall says that defenseman Brendon Manning won’t be back.
James O’Brien of NBA Sports: The Flyers could have about $22 million in salary cap space, maybe up to $25 million if they decide to buyout Jori Lehtera.
“Ron has the flexibility to do whatever he wants with his cap space and his roster,” Holmgren said, via Carchidi. “If that’s the decision he wants to make moving forward, he’s got free rein to do that. I think Ron continues to do what’s right for the organization.”
The Flyers would have the money to land John Tavares and it should at least be considered.
Despite goaltending being another issue, at least Michal Neuvirth and Brian Elliott are relatively cheap and both contracts expire after next season. If they want to look at the free agent goaltending market, it includes Jonathan Bernier, Jaroslav Halak, Cam Ward and Chad Johnson. RFA goaltenders that they could try to trade for include Robin Lehner and Philipp Grubauer.
Carter Hart is their goalie of the future. Maybe Carter Hutton could be a short-term fill.
GM Ron Hextall could be better off avoiding expensive free agents like John Carlson, James Neal, Evander Kane and James van Riemsdyk and look at cheaper options in Patrick Maroon, Michael Grabner, Ian Cole, or Michael Hutchinson.
Ivan Provorov’s entry-level deal expires after next. Wayne Simmonds has a year left on his deal.
would explore Max Pacioretty or Mike Hoffman trades.
