Flyers’ Recent Transactions Show Team’s Willingness to Improve

By Matt Mastrogiovanni, Sports Talk Philly writer 

In the past few days, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher has been busy wheeling and dealing with fellow National Hockey League general managers. Many think that Fletcher may have more up his sleeve. However, the latest moves within the team's roster have already shown the immediate willingness to improve the on-ice product.

On June 3, the first big move of the offseason occurred when the Flyers acquired center Kevin Hayes from the Winnipeg Jets. Hayes, an upcoming free agent on July 1, was in negotiations with the team's management since his acquisition. 

Then, after a lull in signing-related news, things rapidly took a turn. On Tuesday night, the team had reportedly inked Hayes to a seven-year contract with an $7.14 million average annual value. The official news of the signing came from the Flyers on Wednesday night.

Ideally, Hayes will slot in to the team's second-line center position taking some of the load off of young Nolan Patrick. Additionally, the newly-signed forward can be used as part of the special teams units as well.

Prior to the Hayes signing, multiple other moves were made by the fresh-faced Flyers general manager. 

On Friday, Fletcher shipped defenseman Radko Gudas to the Washington Capitals in exchange for defenseman Matt Niskanen. Per Bill Meltzer of the team's official site, trading for the defenseman "boiled down to these two elements: the organization wants the 32-year-old to be a leader on an essentially young young defense corps while still playing significant minutes both at even strength and the penalty kill."

Niskanen was a part of the Capitals' 2018 Stanley Cup Championship roster, meaning he would also be an asset as an experienced playoff performer. 

As one veteran arrived, it was time for another to depart.

After much speculation, the Flyers exercised a buyout on Andrew MacDonald this past Saturday. The team's longest-tenured defenseman found himself on the outside looking in this past season as a healthy scratch or getting minimal ice-time when in the lineup. In his final season as a Flyer, MacDonald posted just nine points in 47 games.

In regards to his salary cap impact, the team will actually save money buying out the defenseman. The Flyers will pay a $1.167 million against the cap this year for the buyout, saving them $3.833 million against the cap this season. The buyout will also give the Flyers a $1.917 cap hit on their 2020-21 salary cap.

Prior to the Hayes signing on Tuesday, the Flyers made yet another move bringing an additional defenseman to the roster. In exchange for a second-round pick (41st overall) in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the team acquired Justin Braun from the San Jose Sharks. Fletcher called Braun "a high character, quality defender who will bring a steadying presence to our team."

Braun has played nine seasons in the NHL and also brings another right-handed defenseman to the Flyers.

With all of the recent transactions, the Flyers are showing their willingness to improve. Multiple moves to fortify the defensive core and forward depth mark the beginning of what could be a very prosperous offseason for the team. As the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and free agency approaches, don't be surprised if even more changes are made soon.