What Just Happened?

Tye McGinn to Sharks for a 2015 3^rd round pick

Sign RW Andrew Gordon (1 year, two-way)

Sign Nick Schultz (1 year, $1.25 million)

Sign Zack Stortini (1 year, two-way)

Resigned Jason Akeson (1 year, two-way)

Signed Blair Jones (1 year, two-way)

Resigned Ray Emery (1 year, $1 million)

Signed Rob Zepp (1 year, two-way)

Signed Chris VandeVelde (1 year, two-way)

Pierre-Edouard Bellamere (1 year, one way)

The Flyers have made several moves, mostly signing players that will fight it out on their fourth line. For the ones that do not make the cut, they will fill up the Lehigh Phantoms roster in the AHL. Only three players have signed one-way contracts, forward Bellamere, defenseman Schultz, and goalie Emery. Bellamere was a highly sought after free agent from Europe. Schultz is projected to be a 6^th or 7^th defenseman. Emery was the Flyers’ backup last year. He has a great relationship with starter Steve Mason.

While these players may see some time with the big club, the majority will not be regulars, with only Emery and Schultz expected to get a roster spot. The rest of the recent signings will fight for the final roster spot(s) among themselves and top prospect Scott Laughton.

Laughton played five games with the big club as an 18 year old and several preseason games the passed two years. Laughton is expected to play in the AHL to start out this year. He seems NHL ready, but the organization like for prospects to play in the AHL before becoming an NHL regular. With the Phantoms, Laughton will play top line minutes, minutes that he would not see with the Flyers given their depth at center.

With the Flyers tight on cap space, they would not be able to fit many free agents under the ceiling. If Vincent Lecavalier is moved, then a spot opens up. The Flyers could use one of their recently signed players, or they could make a move for a reclamation player, such as former first round picks Peter Mueller, Devin Setoguchi, or Kevin Hayes.

Peter Mueller was discussed in the Potential Off-Season Acquisitions blog. The former eighth overall pick is reportedly being sought after by multiple teams. Last playing for the Florida Panthers in 2013, Mueller put up eight goals and 17 points in 43 games. He has had health issues in the past, and has only played more than 55 games in his first two seasons. If he takes a pay cut from his last NHL contract at $1.725 million, he could be an intriguing potential acquisition.

Another former high draft pick, Devin Setoguchi could be on the team’s radar. The durable forward is a former 30 goal scorer, albeit playing with Joe Thornton. He played on a bad Winnipeg team this passed year, so his value is at an all-time low. He could sign a one way deal worth about $1.5 million with the right team to reestablish his value.

Finally, Kevin Hayes, the 24^th overall pick in 2010 by Chicago, does not seem close to a deal with the Blackhawks. If he does not sign by August 15, he will become an unrestricted free agent. It seems that he wants to sign with a team that will guarantee his a roster spot next season. He is a big, two-way winger that shined this year alongside Johnny Gadreau on the Boston College Eagles. If the Flyers are able to move out a top nine forward, they could offer Hayes a chance to play big minutes on a potential playoff team.

News came out Sunday that Nashville center Mike Fischer ruptured his ACL and will be out 4-6 months. Will they pull the trigger on the Lecavalier deal that has been rumored to be on the table?