Free-agent forwards who could help the Flyers
At the top of general manager Ron Hextall's summer to-do list: upgrading a Flyers offense that struggled this season, especially in the playoffs.
At the top of Flyers general manager Ron Hextall's summer to-do list: upgrading an offense that struggled this season, especially in the playoffs.
Truth is, the Flyers could use two new scorers, but that will happen only if Hextall can make a trade because, as it stands, cap restraints will probably allow him to add only one free-agent forward.
During the regular season, the Flyers averaged 2.57 goals per game, 22nd in the NHL. In the six-game playoff series against Washington, they managed a total of six goals - and one was an empty-netter, and another was a shot that was going wide but deflected into the net off a Capitals defenseman.
Of the 16 teams that qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Flyers were 15th in scoring in the regular season.
The Flyers, whose scoring woes were masked somewhat because of rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere's offense, had just three players reach the 20-goal mark, In short, they need more firepower if they are going to continue to make strides.
Here is a look at the unrestricted free-agent forwards, listed alphabetically, who figure to draw Hextall's interest when the market opens July 1:
David Backes, C, St. Louis, 6-foot-3, 221 pounds
Age at start of next season: 32; 2015-16 stats: 21 goals, 24 assists.45 points; 2015-16 cap hit: $4.5 million.
Upside: Backes, who can also play wing, would give the Flyers some much-needed size and would probably drop center Sean Couturier to the third line, giving the Flyers more balance on their top three units.
Downside: He's 32 and could start a downward slide, and, for that reason, any contract longer than three years is risky. That said, someone will probably offer him a longer deal.
Mikkel Boedker, LW, Colorado, 6-0, 211
Age at start of next season: 26; 2015-16 stats: 17-34-51; 2015-16 cap hit: $3.75 million.
Upside: He's a big, young winger who will be cheaper than many of the other quality free agents.
Downside: He had a minus-33 rating and may not fit well in coach Dave Hakstol's system.
Troy Brouwer, RW, St. Louis, 6-3, 213
Age at start of next season: 31; 2015-16 stats: 18-21-39; 2015-16 cap hit: $3.66 million.
Upside: He supplies scoring with physicality (200 hits this season), and he won't break the bank.
Downside: He is a solid complimentary forward but not the true sniper the Flyers need.
Loui Eriksson, RW, Boston, 6-2, 183
Age at start of next season: 31; 2015-16 stats: 30-33-63; 2015-16 cap hit: $4.25 million.
Upside: The Sweden native can play either wing, and he is just the type of dynamic forward the Flyers need.
Downside: The Bruins decided to keep Eriksson at the deadline, a sign they believe they can get an extension done.
Andrew Ladd, LW, Chicago, 6-3, 220
Age at the start of next season: 30; 2015-16 stats: 25-21-46; 2015-16 cap hit: $4.4 million.
Upside: Besides his scoring touch, the two-time Stanley Cup champion would bring a winning attitude to the locker room.
Downside: He had a 16-point drop from his previous season and had a career-worst minus-13 rating. Warning signals?
Milan Lucic, LW, Los Angeles, 6-3, 233
Age at start of next season: 28; 2015-16 stats: 20-34-54; 2015-16 cap hit: $3.25 million.
Upside: He's big. He's physical, and he would be a perfect complement to Claude Giroux on the top line. Giroux was at his best when on a line with big wingers Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr.
Downside: He will be costly, and Lucic reportedly wants to stay in Los Angeles.
Jamie McGinn, LW, Anaheim, 6-1, 205
Age at start of next season: 28; 2015-16 stats: 22-17-39; 2015-16 cap hit: $2.95 million.
Upside: A physical player who became a top-six forward with Anaheim, he had a career season and is just reaching his stride.
Downside: He is a streaky scorer, like many of the Flyers.
Kyle Okposo, RW, N.Y. Islanders, 6-0, 217
Age at start of next season: 28; 2015-16 stats: 22-42-64; 2015-16 cap hit: $2.8 million.
Upside: A consistent 20-goal scorer who led the Islanders with 42 assists, he would also bolster the Flyers' inconsistent power play.
Downside: If reports are true and he really is seeking $7 million per season, he will not be playing for the Orange and Black.
Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay, 6-1, 194
Age at the start of next season: 26; 2015-16 stats: 36-28-64; 2015-16 cap hit: $7.5 million.
Upside: Simply put, the four-time 40-goal scorer is a franchise player who would become the Flyers' top center and give them up-the-middle strength they haven't had since Jeff Carter and Mike Richards were here.
Downside: He will cost a fortune, and the Flyers won't have enough cap space unless they can unload lots of salary (Matt Read? Mark Streit?). But they can dream, right?
@BroadStBull www.philly.com/flyersblog