The Philadelphia Flyers are virtually done with their 2024 offseason after re-signing some key free agents and bringing in Matvei Michkov, but that doesn’t mean they can’t continue to add competition for roster spots in other ways.
There are still a number of free agents available, such as James van Riemsdyk, who would allow the Flyers to do that. John Tortorella, the front office, and the rest of the coaching staff have been big on players earning their keep and fighting to earn their ice time every night.
But this late into the offseason, what kind of players are out there that really add intrigue to such a packed NHL roster? Let’s discuss.
No. 3: RW Kailer Yamamoto
Once upon a time, Seattle Kraken free agent forward Kailer Yamamoto was one of the more promising young wingers in the NHL, but after scoring a career-best 20 goals and 41 points with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2021-22 season, Yamamoto’s consistency and productivity have waned dramatically.
As such, the 25-year-old is likely to find himself playing for his third different organization in as many years.
It is worth noting that Flyers general manager Danny Briere had told Philly Hockey Now that winger Bobby Brink is expected to make the team, “. . .but again, he’s going to have to earn it. It’s not going to be just given to him. He’s going to have to earn it. That’s why we’ll be protected, in case he doesn’t earn it right from the beginning. We have to have some secondary option, but definitely we expect him to take another step forward.”
In terms of similar secondary options, Yamamoto is also a smaller forward at 5-foot-8, 152 pounds, but brings seven seasons of NHL experience and has contributed on the power play and the penalty kill. Now that the Flyers have parted ways with Cam Atkinson–another diminutive two-way forward–their versatility at the forward position has decreased.
Obviously, there is a reason that Yamamoto, a 2017 first-round pick, remains a free agent through the early days of August. But if the Flyers want to take a swing on the upside and add a young veteran to their forward group, Yamamoto is the guy.
Otherwise, the forward position on the NHL free agent market is pretty barren, and Yamamoto makes the most sense for a rebuilding Flyers squad trying to get younger and better, not older and slower.
No. 2: RW Kevin Labanc
Make no mistake—the San Jose Sharks were absolutely awful in 2023-24. That’s why they finished with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, which was eventually used to bring aboard NCAA superstar Macklin Celebrini.
After a promising start to his NHL career, veteran forward Kevin Labanc contributed to the Sharks’ struggles, suffering through easily the least productive season of his career amidst the threat of trade rumors, healthy scratches, and the like.
The 28-year-old managed only two goals, seven assists, and nine points in 46 regular season games after previously establishing himself as an important bottom-six forward for San Jose. Some might remember the fantastic 2018-19 season Labanc had with the Sharks, when he scored a career-high 17 goals, 39 assists, and 56 points while playing in all 82 games for the only time in his NHL career.
