It’s time for another fresh batch of NHL rumours. We may only have one game left in the 2023-24 NHL season. However, the off-season action is only getting started. Teams are trying to get their ducks in a row when it comes to figuring out their rosters. Everything from free agent signings to draft picks are going to be thought about in the next couple of weeks. There’s also buyouts on the brain of general manager. Executives may have to make the hard choice of buying out a deal to maximize their caps. This round of NHL rumours looks at the Philadelphia Flyers looking into a pair of possible buyouts.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Two Flyers Players are Possible Buyout Candidates
Rumour: The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli released his possible buyout list for the coming off-season. Both Cal Petersen and Cam Atkinson showed up on the list as possible buyout choices.
Analysis: Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere does have some choices to make in this coming off-season. The team did make some positive steps, but just missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It seems there are some looming questions when it comes to the roster.
Ivan Fedotov made his way to North America and there’s hope Matvei Michkov will be able to get out of his KHL contract in Russia. Michkov will need to sign a contract and that should save them money if he lives up to the hype. However, there’s also pending Travis Konecny talks on the horizon for Briere and the team.
Finding Flexibility
Those big decisions mean trying to find some financial flexibility. Briere does have a pair of players that he may have to put on the long-term injured reserve in Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen. Ellis makes $6.2 million while Johansen carries a $4 million hit. This doesn’t leave a lot of room for maneuvering for the Flyers.
However, the idea of buying out Petersen and Atkinson could be used as a way to save money. Petersen has seemingly lost his spot to Samuel Ersson and the arrival of Fedotov didn’t help his case, either. The 29-year-old does have one more season at $5 million left on his deal. According to Seravalli, a buyout would give the Flyers $2.85 million worth of space. Petersen only played in five NHL games and struggled with an .864 save percentage. He spent most of his time with Lehigh Valley of the AHL. Ersson and Fedotov are the likely goalie duo and Petersen would be the third or fourth option.
Atkinson also has one more season left with the team at $5.875 million left. Buying out the 35-year-old could free up over $3.5 million worth of space for the club. The veteran did have his worst offensive season with only 28 points for Philadelphia.
Grin and Bear It
Buyouts for both players would give first-year savings. However, there would be some dead cap space in year two. With both players in the final year of their deals, Briere may decide to try to get through the last year to be clear of the cap hits.
There could also be time for both players to turn things around. Atkinson has been through the wars with with head coach John Tortorella and is liked by his teammates. There’s still a chance that Atkinson could get back on track and become a valuable trade piece at the deadline. A veteran like him could be sought after by teams at the deadline.
Philadelphia’s roster did show some growth under Tortorella. However, there are going to be some changes coming with the team. A buyout for one or both of these players could be in the cards.
Main photo by: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
