Quick Hits: July 15, 2023
1) On Friday, the Flyers placed veteran defenseman Tony DeAngelo on unconditional waivers for purposes of a contract buyout. He cleared today. The Flyers can exercise the buyout.
The team will carry a $1.67M cap hit on DeAngelo in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. The Flyers would save $3.33 million of cap space in 2023-24 as opposed to $2.5 million if the player were traded at the maximum 50 percent retention rate. It also saves a retention slot (the Flyers are using one on Kevin Hayes and still have two remaining) for Philadelphia that could be used by the 2024 NHL trade deadline.
The downside is the 2004-25 portion. DeAngelo would have been off the books after 2023-24, as he'd have become an unrestricted free agent. Now, the Flyers will absorb $1.67 million on their 2024-25 cap.
For more on the impending buyout,
visit PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
2) In all likelihood, it was Flyers assistant general manager Barry Hanrahan who realized -- and pointed out to general manager Danny Briere -- that Noah Cates' arbitration filing opened a second buyout window under the CBA. Unable to consummate a trade involving DeAngelo, the Flyers used the second buyout window to start that process. Cates reached a contract agreement well ahead of the case going to arbitration, giving Philadelphia a 72-hour window on a potential DeAngelo buyout.
In addition to being in charge of salary cap compliance and contractual structure, Hanrahan manages matters of Collective Bargaining Agreement compliance.
I bring this up because some fans routinely criticize Hanrahan for things he does NOT do as part of his job. He does not negotiate contracts, green light cap hits, contract lengths or bonuses, set a qualifying offer, etc. Rather, he does the work to help structure deals and the day-to-day cap calculations in accordance with the GM's roster moves and contractual negotiation. It's also within the job description to recognize when CBA-related matters on waiver rules, designations for injured players (including LTIR, SOIR, etc) are applicable.
3) In actual NHL game action and even in practices, Noah Cates plays a very straightforward style of hockey. Playing in Da Beauty League during the offseason affords him the opportunity to get fancy once in a while. Set up by his brother, unrestricted free agent Jackson Cates, Noah finished off a goal with a between-the-legs shot. It was one of five goals the younger Cates brother scored in the game.
4) In memoriam: I was remiss in not mentioning this yesterday. Friday was the 24th anniversary of legendary Flyers broadcaster Gene Hart's passing at the age of 68.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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