FIVE POTENTIAL TRAINING CAMP TRYOUT CANDIDATES
During his media availability session on Thursday, Flyers general manager
Ron Hextall was asked if the team plans to invite any unsigned NHL free agents to camp on a try-out basis. He acknowledged that it was a possibility but did not want to speculate about the likelihood of it happening.
"We’ve talked to a couple guys. Whether they are [coming to camp] or not, I don’t really know and I don’t really want to disclose the names," said Hextall. "But I think you’re looking and guys know that this is around the time when it happens, this is when players are realizing that they’re not going to get a contract so we’ve certainly had an eye on it and we certainly have feelers out on a couple of guys.”
Currently, the Flyers have less than a million dollars -- roughly $580,000 by some estimates -- of space space for next season but that could be pushed up based on other moves. Apart from trade possibilities to shed substantial salary, the team could also modestly increase cap space by opting to carry seven defensemen on the NHL roster rather than the current eight. For instance, if
Brandon Manning is assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyer would have an additional $625,000 of cap space available to start the season.
Here's a look at five possible tryout candidates who could try to earn a discounted one-year contract in Philadelphia or elsewhere if they remain unsigned by the start of NHL camps:
1.
Jiri Tlusty (LW/RW, Age 27, Previous cap hit of $2.95 million): The former Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick (13th overall in 2006) perhaps played over his head offensively for the Carolina Hurricanes during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. That year, he established career highs with 23 goals, 38 points and a plus-15 at even strength during the 48-game season. His highs for all other 82-game seasons are 17 goals and 36 points. Last year with Carolina and the Winnipeg Jets, Tlusty averaged 16:01 of ice time, including 1:53 on the power play and 0:37 on the penalty kill. Offensively, he produced a combined 14 goals and 31 points in 72 games.
Why he might be a tryout fit in Philadelphia: Apart from hailing from the same home town and being a former teammate of
Jakub Voracek at various levels of the HC Rytiri Kladno development chain, Tlusty has a two-way skill set. He's been an inconsistent performer during most of his career, but can play in various spots around the top nine and be a supplementary penalty killer as well as a second-unit power play candidate. He's not going to bring physicality but the 6-foot, 209-pound forward can be tough to take off the puck. Tlusty is versatile enough to play any forward position but is primarily a winger. If nothing else, he could provide some ice time competition for incumbents such as
Matt Read or
R.J. Umberger.
2.
Lee Stempniak (RW/LW, age 32, previous cap hit of $900,000): The journeyman winger is still a decent skater with a quick shot release. He produced six goals and 10 points in 18 games for Winnipeg down the stretch last season after being acquired from the New York Rangers. He has played for seven different NHL teams during a 700-plus game NHL career, with career highs of 19 goals and 38 points set while with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010-11.
Why he might be a tryout fit in Philadelphia: All 15 of Stempniak's goals last season -- combined in 71 games with New York and Winnipeg -- were scored at even strength. In 2013-14, he chipped in 10 even strength goals and a pair of shorthanded tallies. Stempniak averaged 12:43 of ice ice per game last year, including 56 seconds of power play time and roughly one penalty killing shift (27-second average). In past years, however, he's averaged between 1:20 and 1:55 of PK time per game. He still has some streak scoring ability as well.
3.
Curtis Glencross (LW, age 32, previous cap hit of $2.55 million): The long-time Calgary Flames left winger and veteran of five NHL organizations is coming off a subpar season last year. He was not particularly impressive in the playoffs for the Washington Capitals after coming over from Calgary. For the Caps, Glencross chipped in four goals (two on the power play) and seven points in 18 regular season games plus one goal in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In the past, Glencross reliably scored in the mid-20 goal range for Calgary. Even during an injury-marred 2013-14 season in which he was limited to 38 games, Glencross scored a dozen goals and 24 points. He's not a natural pure goal scorer but knows how to get to the net.
Why he might be a tryout fit in Philadelphia: A power forward with grit and decent skating ability (assuming his oft-injured knees are OK), Glencross can be plugged into the top nine at even strength. A responsible two-way player, he was an all-situations player in the past although he hasn't killed penalties much the last few years. Glencross averaged 15:38 of ice time last year but pulled down over 18 minutes a game when healthy in the semi-recent past. After last season, Hextall and others mentioned a desire to add to the leadership group on the team. Glencross could be part of that group if he gets a contract. He is also one of the NHL's most tireless off-ice philanthropic contributors, especially for children's hospitals and the Special Olympics cause. While a member of the Flames, he won the team's Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award.
4.
Sean Bergenheim (LW, age 31, previous cap hit of $2.75 million): Bergenheim did not contribute much of anything offensively with the Minnesota Wild (one goal, one point) in 17 regular season games and no points three playoff games after he requested a trade from the Florida Panthers in February. He did manage eight goals and 18 points with Florida before the trade. He's occasionally hurt the Flyers (six goals, 12 points in 34 games) in the past and seems to torment the New Jersey Devils (10 goals, 16 points in 32 games) in particular. He has a knack for going on at least one significant scoring streak per season and has also shown defensive acumen. Can get a bit undisciplined at times and retaliate rather than initiate.
Why he might be a tryout fit in Philadelphia: Bergenheim has been on the positive side of puck-possession metrics for the majority of his career. He is a plus skater who has generally chipped in mid-double digit goals per season before dropping to nine last year. While he has sometimes frustrated coaches with inconsistency and has only dressed in at least 80 games once in his career, he can also be a very effective player when focused. Before last year, he had a knack for stepping up in the playoffs (a dozen goals and 17 points in his first 23 career playoff games). It is also worth noting that, at least in the past, Bergenheim was among the better shorthanded scoring threats in the NHL. Back in 2008-09, the Finn notched four shorties, ranking fourth in the NHL. Although not tall (listed at 5-foot-11), Bergenheim is a deceptively strong 200 pounds.
5.
Brad Boyes (RW, age 33, previous cap hit of $2.625 million):The Florida Panthers bought out the final season of Boyes' contract, making him an unrestricted free agent and he has sat on the market all summer. He is far removed from his days of racking up 43 goals (2007-08 with the St. Louis Blues) or approaching 72 points (2008-09 with the Blues), but did manage 21 goals for the Panthers in 2013-14 and 38 points in 78 games this past season. Considered something of a one-dimensional player at times in his career, Boyes has tried hard to erase that perception. However, he is a player whose biggest value has always been his quick and accurate righthanded shot and decent puck-distributing ability. New Flyers head coach
Dave Hakstol generally likes "harder" players than Boyes is by reputation but he is also the most naturally skilled player with the puck among the five listed here.
Why he might be a tryout fit in Philadelphia: Boyes actually landed with the Panthers originally as a successful veteran tryout player. He still has good hands and can work the power play as a second unit threat. With the new 3-on-3 overtime, Boyes has the potential to net a game-winner or two to prevent a shootout. In shootout situations, he On a team that is looking to create a second scoring line, Boyes is another potential name to throw in the mix. He can pick unaware opponents' pockets with his quick stick; registered 41 credited takeaways last season. Correspondingly, he was a positive-rated possession player even on his way to a buyout. A former CHL Scholastic Player of the Year whose parents, Bob and Mary, were educators (his mother was a teacher, father was a school principal), Boyes is an articulate and calm presence who can grasp different systems.
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FLYERS PROSPECT UPDATES
* WHL: Flyers 2014 first-round pick
Travis Sanheim scored a second period even-strength goal and was plus-one in the Calgary Hitmen's 4-3 shootout victory in preseason action against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday. Calgary was unable to protect a 3-0 lead in the third period but rescued the win in the shootout. Sanheim did not play in Thursday's game against the Regina Pats. Flyers 2014 sixth-round pick
Radel Fazleev, who missed the World Junior Championship Summer Showcase in August with an undisclosed injury, did not play in either game. The Hitmen take on the Prince Albert Raiders on Saturday.
* OHL/QMJHL: The Ottawa 67s absorbed a 5-2 home preseason loss to the QMJHL's Gatineau Olympiques on Friday. Flyers 2015 first-round pick
Travis Konecny earned the primary assist on Ottawa's first goal; an even-strength tally by Russian import
Artur Tyanulin that briefly tied the game at 1-1 midway through the opening period. Konecny finished minus-one for the game.
* QMJHL: Flyers 2014 second-round pick
Nicolas Aube-Kubel enjoyed a three-point game (two goals, one assist) with six shots on goal (in six attempts) in the Val-d'Or Foreurs'
5-2 preseason win over the Sherbrooke Phoenix on Thursday.
* Extraliga: Flyers 2015 fifth-round pick
David Kase has one goal in four preseason games for Pirati Chomutov. The regular season starts on Sept. 11 with a road game against Ocelari Trinec.
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TODAY IN FLYERS HISTORY FROM FlyersAlumni.org: SEPTEMBER 5
1971: The Flyers re-sign defenseman
Joe Watson, center
Jim Johnson and right winger
Lew Morrison to contract extensions.
1975:
Dave "the Hammer" Schultz signs a five-year contract extension.
1990: The Flyers sign defenseman
Lance Pitlick as an undrafted free agent. The club also inks 1988 second-round pick
Pat Murray to a contract.
1996: In the 1996 World Cup of Hockey quarterfinal in Montreal,
Rod Brind'Amour breaks open a 4-1 win for Team Canada with a third-period goal against Team Germany.
Eric Lindros and
Eric Desjardins also represent the Flyers on the Canadian side.
2004: In a 2004 World Cup of Hockey pool play game in Toronto, Team Russia cruises past Team Slovakia by a 5-2 count. Most recently of the Flyers, unrestricted free agent center
Alexei Zhamnov and defenseman
Danny Markov skate for the Russian side, while
Michal Handzus,
Branko Radivojevic and
Radovan Somik play for Slovakia.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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