Philadelphia Flyers players met with the media today as they cleared out their lockers following a disappointing season. Giana Han of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Kevin Hayes described the season as a weird one, and he sure sounds like he expects it to be his last in Philly. The 31-year-old center has three years remaining on his contract with a cap hit just above $7MM per season, but he believes the organization turned the page on him midseason. Hayes was leading the team in scoring early in the year and was named to the All-Star Game. However, his role was reduced following his All-Star appearance as younger players were given bigger roles with the team struggling. Hayes mentioned he believes he will learn his fate around the NHL Draft, implying he thinks a trade could be on the horizon.
Also in Philly, Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic reports winger James van Riemsdyk was disappointed he did not get traded at the deadline, as he was left to play out the final year of his contract on a rebuilding Flyers roster. Then-General Manager Chuck Fletcher stated shortly after the trade deadline that there was no interest at all in JVR, but the Flyers skater seems to believe that is not entirely true and was frustrated that the team would not send him to a contending team, even for a small return in a trade.
- Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports goaltender Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets will not play in the upcoming World Championships. This is of note since one of the host cities, Riga, Latvia is also the hometown of Merzlikins. The 29-year-old goaltender claims his focus remains completely on becoming a number one goaltender in the NHL, something he fell well short of this season. He posted a 4.23 GAA and a .876 SV% in 30 games for the Blue Jackets. That is a far cry from what his contract dictates he should be doing. Merzlikins has four more years remaining on a contract that carries a $5.4MM cap hit.
- Mark Divver of NHL.com reports Boston University may be keeping one of its key defensemen for another season. Case McCarthy, a fourth-round draft pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2019 has already played four seasons at BU but is leaning toward returning for one more. He played a top-four role this season, skating alongside freshman phenom Lane Hutson on most nights and providing a two-way role for BU. He had 15 points in 35 games and would step right back into that top pairing role with Hutson if he returns next season.
Cap hit/Cap space.
That lil issue in a tight cap environment.
Also sounds like Philly players are babies
Not a larger market for one dimensional specialty team players like JvR who come with a big cap hit even with salary retention.
From all the reporting about Hayes it seems like his trade to the Blue Jackets is all but official. Seems they want him but didn’t want to trade for him during a lost year they were tanking paying more money when they were trying to lose.
Honest question: what do you consider “all reporting?” Aaron Portzline, The Athletic’s CBJ beat writer, said on his most recent podcast he’d heard the rumor and dismissed it saying “they’d be insane” to go after Hayes. I haven’t seen any real clamoring for Hayes at all among Jackets fans.
Even if Philly retains half his salary, does it really make any sense for Columbus?
I know Anthony SanFillippo has said it repeatedly that it will happen from all his sources before and after the deadline and Elliotte Friedman said it too. The reasoning goes you tank for Bedard or one of the other top talents and then next year you have that player along with all the other talented guys including Gaudreau and you are retooled. Bring in Hayes at half the salary and he is a good enough third line center for you. Would I trade for Hayes? No, but I’m happy if someone else takes him.
Thanks. Hoping Jarmo doesn’t pursue that, but they are thin down the middle. And at LD. And G.
Merzlikins keeps on playing the way he did this past season, and he’ll find himself as a #1 goaltender in the ECHL.
For as clearly overpaid as Hayes is, he was a good soldier here. Fought through a lot in 2021-22 and was actually pretty solid this past season. Last thing this team needs is to have to trade away more assets with a player, so I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Hayes was having a career year until he got Torted.