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While the Flyers sat around and waited for the Zach Parise and Ryan Suter sweepstakes to end, the Flyers lost a couple key components from their team. Forward Jaromir Jagr signed with Dallas for $4.5 million while defenseman Matt Carle was lost to Tampa Bay for 6 years, $33 million.
In Jagr, the team declined to give the 40 year old a $1.2 million raise off of his salary from last season. Carle also got a raise, at $5.5 million per, but it’s likely GM Paul Holmgren balked at giving Carle six years. It’s also a sign that the Flyers are looking future (for once), keeping money available for the offseason of 2013.
But in terms of the 2012-13 season, how will the roster look? As of right now, the Flyers have spent $57.4 million of the $70.2 million cap, not including Chris Pronger, who will likely spend the entire year on Long Term Injury Reserve. Here’s a look at the current roster in picture form thanks to the gang over at Capgeek:
The Flyers added Bruno Gervais to compete with Andreas Lilja for the 6th defenseman job. Erik Gustafsson (who is waiver exempt) will probably spend most of the year in the AHL with the Phantoms. Marc-Andre Bourdon (a RFA) was primed to compete for the final job until the Gervais signing. A re-signing may be held up due to his concussion that he suffered at the end of last season.
Forwards are where most of the remaining cap money should be allotted. Jake Voracek is an RFA, and made $2.25 million last year. He’ll likely get a raise off of that, closer to $3 million. Harry Zolnierczyk, Ben Holmstrom and Tom Sestito are all also RFA’s but will have to battle with Eric Wellwood and Zac Rinaldo for a couple roster spots.
It’s possible that the team adds another from outside the organization, either by trade or signing. Ruslan Fedotenko was added from the Rangers and could be a valuable addition to the bottom six and penalty killing units. The free agent market isn’t very deep, but a depth player can be added for cheap. Shane Doan one of the few top forwards available and after scoring 50 points with Phoenix last year at age 35, he may be a guy the Flyers are interested in. Although, Doan doesn’t want to make a decision about leaving Phoenix for a few more days and it’s not known if he would welcome a move to the Eastern Conference. Dominic Moore is another intriguing name as he played 79 games with San Jose last year at a $1.1 million cap hit. Moore won 55% of his draws and could be a cheap fourth line center.
Holmgren could also look towards the trade market. The Flyers have been rumored destinations for both Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan, although Holmgren seemingly does not want to give up Sean Couturier or Brayden Schenn. Both youngsters are players Columbus or Anaheim would be asking for in exchange. Chicago is rumored to be shopping defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson or Nick Leddy, both of which may be an interest to the Flyers. And of course, Keith Yandle’s name keeps popping up. With the amount of cap space available, these additions are possible, but in order to get something, you need to give something, and it’s unclear what Holmgren is willing to part with.
It’s likely that, barring a major trade, the Flyers should open the season with pretty much the same roster that they have now.
Updated with Gervais & Fedotenko signings