One Move That Could Take The Flyers Immediately From Pretenders To Contenders
When you look at the Flyers, what do you see?
Speed? Grit? Youth? Experience? Any of those characteristics?
Yes. You see some of those qualities in the Flyers players present. However, when you compare them to Stanley Cup contenders like Nashville, Winnipeg, LA, and Tampa. Would do you see missing?
Simple. A top pairing defense unit.
The Flyers currently have a #1 defenseman in Ivan Provorov. Provorov fits the bill of a top unit defenseman. Provorov eats minutes, kills penalties, contributes offensively, and will do anything for his team. Look at game 6. He played game 6 against the Penguins with his shoulder barely attached to his body.
But, who do the Flyers have to pair with Provorov?
Provorov’s partner his whole rookie season was Andrew MacDonald. MacDonald, a guy that earned his role in the NHL, showed Provorov the ropes of what an NHL season can be. In Provorov’s second season, Dave Hakstol put Shayne Gostisbehere with Provorov. The pairing was great coming out of the gate.
However, due to Gostisbehere’s size, he is not fit to handle top defense minutes. Gostisbehere excels in a lesser role when he can focus on his strengths, offensive side of the game, instead of the other teams top players. It was very evident over the latter part of the season and playoffs that Gostisbehere is not fit for that type of role.
Therefore, with Provorov needing a partner that complements him and can perform the same he can. Who will it be? Will the Flyers try to fill that spot in-house with someone like Philippe Myers or Travis Sanheim? Or will the Flyers make a bold move and put their name among the contenders with this one move?
That move? Signing John Carlson of the Washington Capitals.
John Carlson is a unrestricted free agent in need of a big pay raise. Carlson, at the moment, is in the Stanley Cup Final with the Capitals against surprise contender, Vegas Golden Knights.
Carlson is listed at 6′ 3″ 215 lbs. His is a big minute eater and a penalty kill specialist. But, the cherry on the top? Carlson is a right-handed defenseman. Something the Flyers desperately need.
At the moment, the only right handed defenseman the Flyers have that is seen to have a future here is Philippe Myers. Therefore, if you add Carlson to the mix, the Flyers could have a future defense corps of 4 left handed and 2 right handed defenseman. Rather than only possibly one in Myers.
But, why Carlson???
Well, Carlson, other than center John Tavares, is the cream of the crop of this years free agent class. But, it is more than just that. What Carlson brings to the Flyers is leadership, playoff experience, and the top line pairing ability. However, the biggest attribute to Carlson coming to Philly? It hurts the Capitals.
In a very similar situation to what the Capitals did to the Penguins a few years back with Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen, the Flyers would be taking the Capitals best all around player from them. Exactly what the Capitals did to the Penguins defense.
But, how do they get it done? What will it cost the Flyers?
This season, Carlson made only $4M. Yes, one of the leagues best defenseman made only $4M. If the Flyers want any chance at Carlson, that number may have to double. However, I think GM Ron Hextall could pull off a move very similar to what the Sixers did with JJ Reddick this year.
If Hextall offered Carlson $9M on a one or two year contract. That may be something Carlson cant pass up. But, if that doesn’t get it done, a contract very similar to Drew Doughty in LA, 8 years $7M – $7.5M, should be in the running for Carlson.
Is a Flyers defense corps of this make you feel good about years to come????
Provorov – Carlson
Hagg – Gostisbehere
Sanheim – Myers
Morin
Pair that with a young core upfront with the likes of Nolan Patrick, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Morgan Frost, and a whole slew of others. And, the cherry on top in net, Carter Hart. The Flyers could go from pretenders to contenders real fast.