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Flyers Sign Garnet Hathaway To Two-Year Extension

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The Flyers have inked grinder Garnet Hathaway to a two-year extension worth $2.4MM annually, per a team announcement. He’s entering the final season of a two-year deal at a slightly cheaper $2.375MM cap hit. His new contract will take effect with the 2025-26 season.

The 32-year-old had a decent first year in Philadelphia after coming over in free agency from Boston.  Offensively, he had seven goals and ten assists in 82 games while collecting a career-high 132 penalty minutes and 326 hits, the most of any forward in the NHL.  Hathaway averaged 12:29 per game and played a secondary role on the penalty kill.  For his career, Hathaway has 65 goals, 74 assists, 622 penalty minutes, and 1,672 hits in 539 NHL contests between four teams.

Still, it’s somewhat surprising that the Flyers elected to get an extension done this quickly with Hathaway.  For someone who produces at closer to a fourth-line level, the price point is a little high (as his current deal is) but they clearly value the grit he brings to the table with a younger core group up front.  Hathaway is now signed through the 2026-27 campaign, meaning he’ll be 35 when this new agreement expires, making him subject to 35-plus contract rules.

Flyers Re-Sign Erik Johnson

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TSN’s Chris Johnston reports the Philadelphia Flyers are expected to re-sign defenseman Erik Johnson to a one-year contract. Johnson was originally acquired by the Flyers from the Buffalo Sabres at the 2024 trade deadline and is expected to play in his 1,000th regular season game this year. The deal will pay Johnson a total of $1MM according to PuckPedia.

After appearing in 50 games with the Sabres during the 2023-24 NHL season, Johnson was moved into a much larger role in the Flyers organization. Johnson went from averaging just under 14 minutes a night in Buffalo to 16:26 minutes a game in 17 games for Philadelphia. Poised for a bottom-pairing role in the City of Brotherly Love — Johnson still packs a punch physically and is a solid veteran presence for any team’s blue line.

If Philadelphia can’t improve or repeat the team’s performance from last season, Johnson should be a tradeable asset come the trade deadline season. Whether it be filling in for injury or rounding out a contending team’s defensive core, Johnson is only two years removed from winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Nevertheless, Johnson still holds tremendous value for the Flyers as young defensemen such as Cam York, Yegor Zamula, and Jamie Drysdale could all benefit from playing alongside the former first-overall pick.

Flyers Buy Out Cam Atkinson

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06/29: Atkinson has cleared unconditional waivers and will be bought out, shares Sportsnet’s Elliote Friedman (Twitter link).

06/28: The Philadelphia Flyers are planning to buy out the final season of Cam Atkinson’s seven-year, $41.125MM contract, the team shared. Philadelphia will carry a $2.358MM cap hit this season, and a $1.758MM cap hit next season, as a result of this buyout – accumulating $1.759MM in total savings over the $5.875MM cap hit that Atkinson was due this year. The Flyers will also get out from under Atkinson’s modified no-trade-clause, which allowed the veteran winger to submit a 10-team no-trade list.

This buyout brings a quiet end to Atkinson’s three-year stretch in Philadelphia. He was plenty productive two sesaons ago, posting 23 goals and 50 points in 73 games – his highest scoring since 2019. But Atkinson was forced out of the entirety of the 2022-23 season with a neck injury and struggled to rekindle his spark this year. He fell to a measly 13 goals and 28 points in 70 games. On the back of lagging performances, Atkinson slipped all year, ultimately earning multiple healthy scratches in the season’s second half.

Benchings are a heavy fall for Atkinson, who spent nearly a decade locked into the Columbus Blue Jackets top-six earlier in his career. He posted at least 20 goals in every season between 2013 and 2019 – including a career-high 41 goals and 69 points in 80 games during the 2018-19 season. But injuries have never been Atkinson’s friend – with a string of lower-body injuries limiting his early career and a nagging right-ankle sprain ultimately cutting his 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons in half. With the writing of an aging veteran on the wall, Columbus flipped Atkinson to the Flyers in July of 2021, acquiring Jakub Voracek – another veteran winger plagued by injuries.

And while Atkinson will now enter the free agent market with still winds, there seems to still be interest around the league. The San Jose Sharks were reportedly interested in trading for Atkinson just two weeks ago, though his trade protection kept him from going to a Sharks team that seems set for another down year. San Jose surely would’ve preferred Atkinson’s near-$6MM price tag, as they try to reach the cap floor, but will now get a chance to negotiate openly with the 12-year veteran. Atkinson hasn’t found much success over his career, playing in just 35 career postseason games, but he offers the leadership of a veteran with 770 career games – a presence that could be invaluable to young teams like the Sharks.

Edmonton Acquires 32nd Overall Pick From Philadelphia

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Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Edmonton Oilers have acquired the 31st overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers will receive the Oilers’ first-round pick in 2025 or 2026 based on conditions attached to the pick per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.

After losing the Stanley Cup Final only a few days ago, Edmonton was able to trade into the first round after all. The organization selected Sam O’Reilly out of the top-tier London Knights program in the Ontario Hockey League. O’Reilly carries keen awareness all over the ice and is a defensive-minded center through and through.

In 68 games for London this season, O’Reilly scored 20 goals and 56 points while collecting a rating of +32. After the regular season, O’Reilly tallied another five goals and 12 points in 16 postseason contests as the Knights made it to the Memorial Cup Finals after going 16-2 in the OHL playoffs. Long-term, due to his style of play, O’Reilly projects to be a solid bottom-six option in Edmonton.

It was likely an easy gamble for the Flyers, as Philadelphia must hope the Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup Final over the next two seasons to reap positive value out of this deal. Even before the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Flyers potentially already have three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft if certain conditions are met.

Minnesota, Philadelphia Swap 12th Overall And 13th Overall

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The Minnesota Wild have acquired the 12th overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection in next year’s draft (X Link).

The Wild would use the selection on defenseman Zeev Buium out of the University of Denver, who miraculously fell to 12th overall. Minnesota adds another dynamic defensive prospect while already having Brock Faber on the back end.

Aside from winning the 2024 National Championship with Denver, Buium rose the draft charts considerably after scoring 11 goals and 50 points in only 42 games. With his strong skating and ability to escape oncoming pressure, Buium is eerily similar to former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox from the New York Rangers. By only having to attach a third-round pick to select one of the best defensemen available in the draft — Minnesota could end up with one of the biggest steals of the night.

The Flyers, on the other hand, used the 13th overall pick to select Jett Luchanko out of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. Considering that this selection is a bit of a reach compared to mock picks, the Flyers were likely more than happy to move back one spot and add a third-round selection next year.

As one of the fastest players in the draft, Luchanko can transition with the puck very effectively. In 68 games for the Storm this past season, Luchanko put up 20 goals and 74 points while winning the William Hanley Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player.

Flyers Looking To Trade For Fourth Overall Pick

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Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to engage in contract talks but Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois isn’t sure that a deal will get done before July 1st (as per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times). The Lightning GM met with Stamkos’ representatives as recently as yesterday but with Tampa Bay’s cap crunch, the 2008 first overall pick may go to market.

Stamkos would have no shortage of suitors (as per Darren Dreger of TSN) if he becomes an unrestricted free agent and it would mark the end of an incredible era in Tampa Bay. Stamkos has won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning as well as two Rocket Richard trophies and has tallied 555 goals and 582 assists in 1082 NHL games. If the 34-year-old does go to market, he is sure to find a lucrative deal as he is coming off a season in which he registered 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games.

In other Eastern Conference notes:

  • Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports is reporting that Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has held extension talks with defenseman Victor Hedman. BriseBois told the media that he hopes that he will agree on an extension in the coming days as Hedman is eligible to sign a new deal on July 1st. The 33-year-old has one year left on his current contract and is coming off another strong season in which he posted 13 goals and 63 assists in 78 games. Hedman’s cap hit for next year will be $7.875MM, but his actual salary will be $7MM.
  • Pierre LeBrun of TSN is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers made a big push to try and acquire the fourth overall pick in this year’s NHL entry draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets. LeBrun’s sources have told him the Philadelphia made the offer on Wednesday and it was reported to include a swap of first-round picks, a player off the Flyers roster, and potentially the Flyers first-round pick next year. According to reports, Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell turned down the offer, but it remains possible that the teams re-engage in the hours leading up to the draft.

Matvei Michkov Released By SKA St. Petersburg

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June 25, 11:07 a.m.: Michkov has had his contract with SKA St. Petersburg officially terminated and the Flyers have been informed of the development, Brière said in a statement Tuesday. “We are certainly excited to learn of this news and look forward to reconnecting with Matvei’s representatives in the coming days,” Brière said. He’s not under contract with the Flyers yet but he should be in the coming days.

June 23, 3:00 p.m.: Updated reports from Kevin Kurz and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic have shared that there is a chance Michkov could be involved in the team’s development camp next week (Twitter link).

June 23, 11:00 a.m.: In a report from Hockey News Hub and later confirmed by Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period and Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, Philadelphia Flyers’ prospect Matvei Michkov is expected to terminate his contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL to join the Flyers for the 2024-25 NHL season. Di Marco later reported that Michkov will be represented by CAA in North America who also represents Cameron York, Nick Seeler, and Ivan Fedotov in the Flyers’ organization.

The news of Michkov’s arrival in Philadelphia ends a year-long story that began shortly before the 2023 NHL Draft. Viewed by many as one of the top talents not named Connor Bedard in last year’s draft, Michkov fell to seventh overall as many teams grew afraid he may take years to make it to North America due to his contractual obligations in the KHL. Being that hindsight is 20/20, the Flyers will have had to wait only one year to see Michkov join the organization as General Manager Daniel Briere’s big gamble appears to have paid off.

Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports that the situation is still fluid regarding Michkov, but the expectation is that he will be with the Flyers organization when the 2024-25 season opens up. With plenty of doubts about his eventual arrival in Philadelphia, the team must first sign the young Russian prospect to his entry-level contract. Regardless of the logistical steps forward, the Flyers will be adding one of the best young prospects in the world to their organization.

In his season after the 2023 NHL Draft, Michkov played primarily on loan for HK Sochi of the KHL, becoming a complete offensive package for the organization. In 47 games played Michkov potted 19 goals while assisting on 22 more. Michkov finished 40th in the league in scoring but it was far and away the most by any player under 20.

Michkov’s creativity and play with the puck is reminiscent of Russian forward Pavel Datsyuk throughout his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings. Additionally, Michkov has a keen ability to find the back of the net and a very mature hockey IQ. It will be interesting to see if Michkov can keep up with the defensive expectations brought by head coach John Tortorella in Philadelphia, but he should be one of the team’s premier offensive players in due time.

Matvei Michkov's Arrival Could Impact Travis Konecny Negotiations

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Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia wrote today that the Ottawa Senators have been linked to Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson. He didn’t go into much detail about the link, but it’s not the first time there has been mention of a link between Gibson and the Senators. Ottawa has been pushing hard to improve their netminding and has held talks on Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark since before the NHL trade deadline.

The Senators are desperate to improve their goaltending which has been a disaster since Craig Anderson left town in 2020. The 30-year-old Gibson hasn’t been a strong netminder for years but has been paid like one and still has three years left on his deal at an AAV of $6.4MM. It seems unlikely Ottawa will pursue Gibson at his current price point; however, they could entertain him if they can’t make a deal with the Bruins for Ullmark or if Anaheim is willing to retain some of Gibson’s cap hit.

In other Eastern Conference notes:

  • Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period tweeted that he believes that forward Matvei Michkov’s arrival to the Philadelphia Flyers will give the team a bit of leverage in their contract negotiations with right winger Travis Konecny. The Flyers have a difficult decision looming with Konecny, as the 27-year-old is just a year out from unrestricted free agency and there have been rumblings that he is seeking $10MM annually on his next deal. With Michkov likely on his way to Philadelphia, the Flyers could see him as a Konecny replacement, and possibly pivot to an exploration of the trade market for Konecny.
  • The Washington Capitals recently swapped goaltender Darcy Kuemper for forward Pierre-Luc Dubois but are apparently not close to done re-shaping their roster (per Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts). The Capitals have some in-house free agents to take care of but will be able to bring everyone back if they want to. The team badly needs to address their offense, and while Dubois should help in that regard, he can’t be the only piece they add if they hope to improve upfront. Washington scored just 220 goals last season, good enough for 28 out of 32 teams and can no longer rely on their power play to carry them.

Flyers Won't Draft A Goalie Early This Year

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  • Flyers GM Daniel Briere told Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey that he’s not planning to select a goalie early in next week’s draft. Philadelphia picked two goalies with their first three picks last year, adding Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin within the first three rounds and while there’s no deadline to sign Zavragin, it makes sense that they wouldn’t want to use another early pick on a netminder.  Briere wouldn’t rule out selecting another goalie later in the draft, however.

Flyers Have Joel Farabee On Trade Block

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The Flyers are dangling forward Joel Farabee in trade talks this summer as they continue rebuilding their roster, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports.

It comes at a good time for general manager Daniel Brière. Farabee’s trade value is likely the highest it’s ever been. The 24-year-old had a career-best season in 2023-24, putting up 22 goals and 50 points and playing in all 82 games for the second year in a row. The increase in production came with a decrease in ice time from 17:01 to 16:11 per game, but he still managed 182 shots on goal compared to 145 last year.

He shot below his career average, too, so it’s not like his goal-scoring production was a fluke. Long-term, he remains projectable as a usual bet for 25-plus goals as he enters his mid-20s. The 2018 14th overall pick does come with a $5MM price tag through 2028, though, and it’s fair to wonder if teams are willing to take a swing at that commitment for a player who had yet to eclipse 40 points in a season entering 2023.

Farabee also had the best two-way season of his career. He was on the ice for 42.8 total expected goals against at even strength, down from 55.2 last year. The Flyers also controlled 51.1% of shot attempts with Farabee on the ice at even strength, a solid but non-elite figure.

The Flyers have been connected to a potential deal with the Senators in recent days, one that some have speculated could include the clubs’ first-round picks, Ottawa defenseman Jakob Chychrun, Philly center Scott Laughton, or other pieces. It’s not clear if Farabee’s name has come up in those talks, though.

Farabee’s deal was also fairly backloaded, meaning his total salary will be north of $5MM annually in the last three years of the deal. That’s not a huge consideration for most teams, but it could be for a club that doesn’t always have a penchant for spending to the salary cap’s upper limit.

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