By: Haley Taylor
With the NHL Free Agency starting today a lot of pressure was on the Flyers to sign an all star caliber type of player. With the anticipation of Johnny Gaudreau being a free agent after leaving Calgary, all eyes were on the Flyers salary cap that could not afford the star forward. With James Van Riemsdyk nearing the end of his $7M deal he signed back in 2018 it would open a lot of cap space to trade him. While Oskar Lindblom was moved, and signed with the San Jose Sharks, relieving his $3M contract it still was not enough for Gaudreau. The former Flames forward signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 7 year deal worth9.75M.
The Flyers acquired five players today. With the familiar defenseman, Kevin Conntauton, who went to Florida with former Flyers Captain Claude Giroux, he returned to Philadelphia. Conntauton signed a two-year two-way contract worth $762,500.
Following Connauton, the Flyers signed Goaltender Troy Grosenick, who spent his time with the Bruins AHL affiliate. Defenseman, Louis Belpedio, who was playing for the Montreal Canadiens’ AHL affiliate. Forward Cooper Marody who spent his time with the Edmonton Oilers AHL affiliate. The last signing during free agency was forward Adam Brooks who split his time with the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, and Winnipeg Jets this past season.
The Flyers also Signed Justin Braun to a one-year contract of 1.75M. Braun, who split time with Philadelphia and the New York Rangers this past season. The Flyers signed forward Nick Deslauriers to a four-year contract (AAV) 1.75M. Deslauriers spent his time between the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild.
The Flyers struggled tremendously last season and want to turn it around with the hiring of Head Coach, John Tortorella.