By Jenny Masters
Are the Flyers really pursuing left winger Johnny Gaudreau, one of the prized targets when NHL free agency starts Wednesday at noon?
Or is it just a way to keep the Flyers fans sated until the fall?
After all, Gaudreau is from Carney’s Point, NJ, and rooted for Philly when he was a kid.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman has the Flyers in the mix :
“Will Philadelphia be busy?
“If the Flyers are to position themselves for a run at Johnny Gaudreau, they must clear space.
“Oskar Lindblom is not yet 26, so if bought out, there’s a $3.33M cap saving for 2022-23. (It’s a tough thing to consider. Hard not to root for Lindblom, who overcame Ewing’s sarcoma to resume his NHL career.)
“The Flyers have also been considering another move, although they could go in several directions.
“GM Chuck Fletcher wouldn’t say much about his plans for James van Riemsdyk, but anyone who scores 24 goals has real value.
Philadelphia may have to attach a sweetener to do it, but $1M of his $5M cash salary will already be paid via a bonus. Arizona, Buffalo and Seattle have been linked to the winger.”
