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The Philadelphia Flyers are officially in their offseason planning stage following their heady run to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For general manager Daniel Briere, it’s time to consider their summer pathway for building on that unexpected success.
For the playoffs provided their younger core players with an beneficial education on what it takes to win. But it also laid bare the areas where the Flyers have to strengthen if they are maintain or advance their achievements over the next few seasons.
One area that the Flyers are looking to make a marked improvement is to improve their league worst power-play. On that, Philadelphia is specifically looking to find a defenseman who can handle the point position. Head coach Rick Tocchet tried a number of options, including Jamie Drysdale, Cam York, and Rasmus Ristolainen.
None of them could elevate the unit’s performance.
During the playoff run, Tocchet pointed out that it wasn’t a fixable problem for the current roster. Now that the season is done, where can Briere look to find answers?
Previously, we looked at where the Flyers might look in a pretty thin unrestricted free agent market.
In this edition, we’ll examine the potential options among restricted free agents or possible trades. A key note: including these players is speculative on my part in looking at their individual situations and the possibility of a change of scenery.
Simon Nemec
Nemec set career highs with goals (11) and points (26) for the New Jersey Devilsd. While he isn’t a classic top unit power-play option, he was for the Devils this past season. But there is alot to like about his game as he continues to mature.
Nemec was rumored to be part of the Devils’ offer for Quinn Hughes, so he’s held in particular high regard. There has been a lot of buzz about his future in New Jersey despite being a former second overall pick. But I’d expect that new GM Sunny Mehta would prefer getting him secured on a short term bridge contract.
If the Flyers explore acquiring Nemec, the Devils will expect an outsized returned from their division rival. One of the Flyers better wingers would likely be a part of such a deal, such as Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov, and/or Alex Bump. I wouldn’t put a high percentage on Philadelphia bringing him on board.
But if the possibility is there, Briere should explore it.
Brandt Clarke
Brandt Clarke has always been an intriguing player to me and one that would fit the Flyers timeline of contention. Like Nemec, the 23 year old Los Angeles Kings defenseman anchors their top power-play unit. Clarke emerged with his best statistical season to date (eight goals, 40 points) with patience required in his development. He is entering restricted free agency with a chance to make a substantial bump in salary.
However, after being bulldozed by the Colorado Avalanche, this is an important cross-roads offseason for LA. With $4.7 million in cap space per Cap Wages, is it possible that the Kings could move Clarke for more established pieces for a title push? And would the Flyers have what they are looking for?
Mason Lohrei
Lohrei is an intriguing option if in fact he is available via trade. While a left shot defenseman, he is highly mobile and reminds a bit of St. Louis Blue Colton Parayko with his 6 foot 5, 218 lb frame. He did not get consistent power-play opportunity last season, even though he scored twice with the man-advantage.
Boston was mentioned as a possible trade deadline destination for Ristolainen so it’s likely that Lohrei would’ve been part of that discussion. However, at this point it would be alot to expect that he could be a power-play answer. However, everything else about him should intrigue the Flyers as a long term piece.
Olen Zellweger
Can’t help get a little bit of Shayne Gostisbehere vibes when looking at the Anaheim Duck defenseman who finished the season with seven goals and 22 points in 76 games. The former 2021 second round pick profiles with superior skating and offensive instincts, with room to grow defensively.
Interestingly, he only dressed for three playoff games, but had a goal and two points. The Ducks acquisition of John Carlson at the trade deadline had a direct effect on his ice-time. However, Carlson is an unrestricted free agent and those minutes could go back to Zellweger.
Anaheim is facing an interesting situation going forward with prospects Stian Stolberg, Tristan Luneau, and Tarin Smith figuring for future roster spots. This in addition to their current summer work in securing their own restricted free agents (center Leo Carlsson and winger Cutter Gauthier).
Briere and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek have history between them. But expect the cost of acquisition won’t be as easy as the Trevor Zegras trade last summer. Especially when Zellweger offers tools that both clubs need for long term success.
Bowen Byram
Prior to the Sabres incredible turnaround this season, a Byram acquisition might’ve been more of a possibility. There have been plenty of reports that the Flyers have a lot of interest in him. But he had personal success (11 goals, 42 points) as an integral part of Buffalo’s top two defense pairs. He also handled second power-play unit duties behind Rasmus Dahlin.
With another year remaining on Byram’s contract, it’s expected that negotiations will begin on a long term contract this summer.
However, if things don’t work out on that front, there might be mutual benefit as the Flyers would have pieces that could entice Jarmo Kekalainen.
Filip Hronek
Call this a “pie in the sky” possibility.
Hronek is not a restricted free agent. In fact, he’s in the second year of an eight year $58 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He is their number one defenseman following the departure of Quinn Hughes last season.
However, the Canucks are in a rebuild. And Hronek had the best second best statistical year of his career in 2023-24 under Rick Tocchet. He has all of the elements that you look for in a top pairing defenseman who could quarterback a power-play.
The kind of commitment that Vancouver has put in Hronek would lean towards him as a transitional centerpiece. It allows Zeev Buium to develop behind him. But if new general manager Ryan Johnson decided to shed Hronek’s $7.25 million AAV, the Flyers make sense as a trade partner.
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