Nolan Patrick
For a few Flyers prospects, Rookie Camp is the beginning of a month-long journey to solidify a roster spot in the NHL. All eyes will be on two forwards in particular: Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee.
For every team that made a big signing as free agency opened, it is a calculated risk. The New York Rangers landed prize forward Artemi Panarin and are waging their success on him. The Flyers made their bet before free agency began on Kevin Hayes, Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun.
It’s been a busy week for Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher and there may be more to come, but the latest moves to the team’s roster have already shown the immediate willingness to improve the on-ice product.
Kevin Hayes signed with the Flyers just over two weeks after they acquired his rights in a trade. Between him and the additions of Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun, Hayes believes the Flyers could do damage and soon. “I think Chuck and Paul are putting together a team that can do some damage and ultimately win the Stanley Cup.”
The Flyers are holding out hope that Niskanen’s on-ice performance improves to form while his off-ice intangibles serve as the immediate value. Niskanen has gone the distance with a team before. He’s been the veteran in a group of young defensemen. He’s had to be a leader, saying on Friday that he “grew into” the role.
Assuming Kevin Hayes is going to sign with the Flyers, what would the contract look like and what would it do to the Flyers open cap space?
With plenty of pressure already on him from injuries and only scoring 30 and 31 points in his first two seasons in Philadelphia, Nolan Patrick has much to prove in the upcoming 2019-20 season.
The Flyers season is over, and it sets up for an interesting offseason for GM Chuck Fletcher, one that begins now that the season is over and will carry over throughout the summer and as the 2019-20 season approaches.
The season will ultimately be known for the failure to meet expectations, to take that next step in the development of a contender, and the massive fallout behind it.
The Stars scored two goals in each period on their way to a 6-2 win over the Flyers on Tuesday night, handing the Flyers their third straight loss and eighth in the last 11 games.
