Flyers center Valtteri Filppula is expected to seek a multi-year contract in free agency, reports John Boruk of NBC Sports Philadelphia. While he’s coming off a fairly quiet season offensively, he’s only one year away from being tagged with 35+ status which carries more risk for teams. As a result, he may be willing to take a bit less on the open market this time around to get more security over going year-to-year. In either case, he is going to be asked to take a considerable pay cut compared to the $5MM cap hit he has carried for the last five seasons.
Elsewhere in the East:
- Boston GM Don Sweeney expects to sign 2017 first-rounder Urho Vaakanainen this offseason and have him play in North America, note Michael Tolvo and Mark Garbino of the Bruins’ team website. The 19-year-old has spent the last two seasons in the Finnish SM-liiga and logged just under 22 minutes per game in 2017-18. Sweeney wouldn’t rule out Vaakanainen making a run at a roster spot in training camp but spending some time in the AHL is probably the likelier outcome at this point.
- Peter Wallen, the agent for Devils center prospect Jesper Boqvist, told Corey Masisak of The Athletic (subscription required) that the 19-year-old will remain in Sweden for the 2018-19 season. Boqvist was the 36th overall selection back in the 2017 draft and was productive in his limited action with Brynas of the SHL, recording three goals and ten assists in just 23 games. As he was drafted out of Sweden, New Jersey has four years to sign Boqvist so there is no rush to get a deal done.
- Last week, the Panthers added Russian defenseman Bogdan Kiselevich on a one-year contract. CapFriendly provides the details of that deal, which is worth the league minimum salary of $650K in the NHL and $275K in the minors. The 28-year-old has yet to play in North America but at this price, the deal carries little risk to Florida if he isn’t able to land a roster spot in training camp.