Contract talks with restricted free agent defenseman Robert Hagg are progressing, GM Ron Hextall told reporters, including Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia News. The team is targeting a two-year bridge contract for the Swedish blueliner.
The 23-year-old completed his first full season at the NHL level in 2017-18 and acquitted himself fairly well. While his offensive numbers weren’t anything special (3-6-9 in 70 games), he was a strong physical presence on their back end, recording 238 hits which ranked as the seventh-most in the NHL. He also logged more than 18 minutes a night in the regular season.
It’s likely that Hagg will slot in on the third pairing once again next season, especially following the departure of Brandon Manning to Chicago in free agency. That will allow him to ease his way into a larger workload while still providing Philadelphia with plenty of salary cap flexibility heading into next summer when wingers Wayne Simmonds, Travis Konecny, and defenseman Ivan Provorov are all in need of new contracts.
Hextall was also asked if the Flyers plan to pursue any other free agents or trades this summer but he indicated that the team is probably done shopping and that they are comfortable with internal options for their remaining vacancies, such as third line center. That means that once Hagg (their last remaining RFA) is signed, we probably won’t be hearing much from then until training camp opens up in mid-September.
Not a big fan of Weal or Laughton as a 3rd line centre. The flip flop, in and outs and the bottom 6 is getting tiresome, would like to see them trade/sign someone, slot them I’m on the 3rd line, kill penalties, and go.