QUICK HITS: JUNE 28, 2018
1) A reported 10-plus teams have contacted unrestricted free agent left winger James van Riemsdyk during the pre-July 1 "talking period". While it is certainly possible that the Flyers are making a push to bring the 29-year-old back to Philadelphia, they have a lot of competition. This means degrees of overpayment in cap hit AND term for the two-time 30+ goal scorer whose career points high is 62.
Overpayment, of course, is the down side of filling holes via free agency. With a player like Michael Grabner, whose speed and PK ability are constants but whose offense has been wildly streaky over the course of his career, would you be getting the version who scored 25 goals in 59 games for the Rangers last season prior to a trade to New Jersey or the version who produced two goals and five points in 21 games for Devils after the trade? The 30-year-old's salary and term will be scaled to that of high-end winger (and he is a one-time 34-goal scorer and four-time 20-plus goal scorer) but is he worth that, and for how many years?
Riley Nash is probably a player of interest to the Flyers but, again, is it worth getting into a bidding war for him to be their third-line center? I do think Nick Shore (whom Hextall knows from their LA days) could be of interest.
Among defensemen, Calvin de Haan could be a fit. But, again, there are multiple teams interested and he has to stay healthy.
While I do think the Flyers will make some signings on July 1, it's going to be very hard to fill all of their needs this offseason via free agency. We will see.
2) The Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association will host Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki as their special guest at the reception after today's Flyers Alumni Golf Invitational Reception at Dupont Country Club in Wilmington, DE. Ryan will sit at the VIP table with Paul Holmgren and Bob Clarke. Subsequently, he will be named an honorary member of the Flyers Alumni team and received a customized Flyers Alumni jersey. On Friday, Ryan and his family will attend Flyers Development camp in Voorhees as guests of the team.
The 19-year-old Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in April, is currently in Philadelphia while rehabbing at Shriners Hospital for Children.
3) During the afterparty following the upcoming 2018 Toyota Flyers Charity Classic, local favorite party band Chico's Vibe will be performing at Xfinity Live. There will also be band members participating in the 5k walk/run event under the team name "Band on the Run." The team is co-captained by local multi-sport athlete, leukemia survivor and motivational speaker Stephen Brown. For more information,
click here.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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