Quick Hits: July 11, 2023
1) A few hours after the Flyers announced the signing of Noah Cates to a two-year contract ($2.625 million AAV), the team officially inked Cam York to a two-year deal ($1.6 million AAV). As with Cates, York is betting on himself that he stands to earn more in the long run by taking less now in a shorter-term contract. From the Flyers side, it holds down cap costs while assessing longer-term cap planning and awaiting a long-delayed cap ceiling jump in upcoming seasons.
2) The Flyers have two remaining restricted free agents this offseason: Morgan Frost and Olle Lycksell. Frost was said several days ago to be getting close to an agreement on a new deal. Lycksell, who received a $787,000 (two-way) qualifying offer, could either accept it outright or could negotiate a two-year, two-way/one-way deal in which he'd receive an NHL-level salary in 2024-25 regardless of whether he plays at the NHL or AHL level. Such deals have been common around the NHL for roster bubble players who are not potential UFAs.
3) John Paddock has announced his retirement at age 69. For the last six seasons, he coached the WHL's Regina Pats. Paddock, nicknamed "Too Tall" during his playing days, was a two-stint Flyers player and later served the organization as a two-stint assistant general manager (under Bob Clarke in 1989-90 and Paul Holmgren from 2009-10 to a portion of the 2013-14 season) and NHL assistant coach (remainder of the 2013-14 season under Craig Berube).
Additionally. Paddock served as Hershey Bears head coach (1985-86 to 1988-89) when Hershey was the Flyers' farm team in the American Hockey League. Hershey won the Calder Cup in 1987-88. Much later, he had two stints as the Phantoms head coach in 2008-09 and a portion of 2010-11.
Away from the Flyers, Paddock had NHL playing stints with the Washington Capitals and Quebec Nordiques. After his playing days, Paddock had head coaching and/or front office stints with the original Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators. At the AHL level, he won three Calder Cup championships as a coach and two as player (both with the Maine Mariners as a Flyers farmhand).
4) Happy birthday wishes go out to Hockey Hall of Fame left winger Bill Barber, who turns 71 today.