- Tim Panaccio: Jakub Voracek’s agent said they don’t expect any contract extension talks with the Flyers until late summer or in the fall. Not worried and are in no hurry.
- Dave Isaac of the Courier Post: The Flyers don’t have a lot of cap space. They want to re-sign Michael Del Zotto and plug a few holes. GM Ron Hextall will have to make trade or two to make that happen.
“You never know because you don’t know who else is going to want to do something,” Hextall said Wednesday. “It’s all hypothetical.”
Hextall might be able to create some trade interest at the draft, but they don’t have many more players that they would move that would be of interest to teams and that would clear significant cap space. Trading Vincent Lecavalier would clear his $4.5 million cap hit. Hextall said that he wouldn’t buy him out. The Flyers need to find a backup goalie, as Ray Emery and Rob Zepp don’t appear to be high on their list. Zepp’s agent does hope that they can work out a deal though. UFA goalies include Jhonas Enroth, Anders Lindback and Thomas Greiss. What Hextall would like to do if they didn’t have to worry about the cap.
“I’d like to find an upgrade on defense, whether it be a free agent or whatever,” Hextall said. “I’d like to find a skilled forward. That’s my wish list. Free agency, trade, (whatever).”
Once Del Zotto is signed, they’ll have eight defensemen on one-way contracts. There aren’t may defensive upgrades in free agency that wouldn’t cost a lot, aside from maybe Johnny Oduya. Upgrade on the blueline would likely have to happen through a trade.
Upgrades through free agency for a “skilled forward” are slim picking as well, with Carl Soderberg and maybe Drew Stafford. They could see if Justin Williams would move to left wing.
- Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Free agent market for the Flyers is thin: wingers Matt Beleskey, Michael Frolik and Justin Williams; centers Carl Soderberg; defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Franson. Backup goalies that could be on Hextall’s radar include Michal Neuvirth and Karri Ramo. Hextall isn’t expecting to move young players like Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier.
“If we can do something with our personnel to be better in October, we will do it, without question, assuming it’s not sacrificing our future,” he said. “We’re not going to trade young players, we’re not going to trade picks, as a rule. But if we can do something . . . free agent, trade, something along those lines, we will absolutely do it.
“Anybody that thinks we’re just going to sit here for two or three years and just wait, no, it’s not happening.”
- Mike Sielski of the Philadelphia Inquirer: Flyers GM Ron Hextall is taking his time deciding on the fate of head coach Craig Berube.
“I want to make the right decision,” Hextall said. “I’m not going to make a quick decision to appease people, or to follow along like it’s supposed to be done. I’m going to do everything I can to do the due diligence that’s appropriate to make the decision. Once I get there, then we’ll let people know. I’m not going to make a hasty decision and look back and regret it.”
Hextall said he’s not waiting to see who becomes available (Mike Babcock, Claude Julien or Todd McLellan). There is no timetable on a decision. The Flyers won’t trade away young assets this offseason in an attempt to win the cup next year.
“We are not going to throw away our future to try to win the Stanley Cup next year,” he said. “I can assure you of that. Are we going to try and win the Stanley Cup? Yes, yes we are – along with the 29 other teams. But we are not going to trade top young players for 29-30-year-olds to try to take a one-year run at the Cup. That is not going to happen.”