Philadelphia Flyers Sign Christian Folin

The Philadelphia Flyers have added some more defensive depth, signing Christian Folin to a one-year contract. According to Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post, the deal is worth $800K. Folin ranked 48th on our Top 50 UFA List, where we had predicted a one-year deal worth just $900K after a relatively successful season with the Los Angeles Kings.

Folin, 27, is a valuable commodity around the league simply because of his handedness. Reliable right-handed defensive options are hard to find in today’s NHL, and ones that can respectably move the puck and do a little bit of everything are even harder. Folin falls into that category, and after putting up 13 points in 65 games while playing the most ice time of his career there was bound to be someone who felt he would be a positive addition to their club. That someone is Philadelphia despite their depth on defense, as Folin’s presence can help them slowly integrate the young wave of prospects ready to make an impact.

Though Samuel Morin is dealing with another knee injury, the Flyers still have Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Robert Hagg and Philippe Myers primed for big roles in the NHL (something Provorov has already accomplished) before they turn 24. Unfortunately the first three are all left-handed, meaning the team had enough depth on that side to let Brandon Manning walk in free agency but needed some depth on the right. Folin fits that bill perfectly, and has experience moving in and out of the lineup on a regular basis.

For Philadelphia, the deal has almost no risk involved. Even if Folin struggles to keep up with some of the quicker puck-moving defenders on the Flyers, his cap hit is extremely manageable and could even be buried in the minor leagues if necessary. He also provides them with a potential trade deadline asset should they feel the team is deep enough for a playoff run without him. In all, Folin represents a nice depth move for the Flyers a few days after free agency opened.