There is no decision for the Flyers to make this summer about Scott Hartnell. After posting career highs goals and points, his spot on the left wing of Claude Giroux's line come opening night of next season can, barring pre-season injury, virtually be written in ink instead of pencil.
The 30-year-old power forward is coming off a career year in which he tallied 37 goals and 67 points. He also cut down on the number of bad minors he took, while still playing feisty enough to compile 137 penalty minutes.
At the Flyers' locker clean-out day on May 10, Hartnell reflected on his performance this season and discussed how he plans to prepare for an encore next year.
“I think maybe I surprised myself a little bit too, just with the goals and that kind of stuff,
said Hartnell. "I’m going to prepare the same way I have been all season and last summer as well, work your tail off and get in shape. You look at our team, there’s a lot of young kids that want to come in and knock you off and take your spot so that makes us old guys work that much harder to stay fit and stay at the top of your game."
Conditioning is one of the biggest reasons why Hartnell had such a good season this year. The influence of Jaromir Jagr was apparent in this area. Hartnell saw and admired the way the now 40-year-old Jagr prepared himself for each game by going the extra mile (and then some) in his on-ice and off-ice workouts. Hartnell got results.
Hartnell's stellar 2011-12 season is a classic example of how quickly a player can change the perceptions of fans; he was always valued by the organization. The left wing struggled (and was reportedly nursing a hand injury) early this past season, losing ice time to new arrival Wayne Simmonds. The internet was filled with proposals for how the Flyers could rid themselves of Hartnell's contract despite the fact that the player has a full no-trade clause in his deal. You don't see too many people clamoring his departure nowadays.
Suddenly, no one gripes any more about Hartnell falling so often on the ice. The fact that he embraced "Hartnell Down" and turned it into a good-natured way to raise money for charity had something to do with it. But make no mistake, if Hartnell had not played at an All-Star level this season, he would not have become nearly the crowd favorite he is now.
Prior to this season, Hartnell was one of the more polarizing players in the court of public opinion. Supporters would point out that he scores 22-plus goals and generates 30 assists like clockwork. He has tallied at least 22 goals in six of the last seven seasons, and 24-plus five times. He's well-liked in the locker room. He plays with moxie and toughness, and is willing to pay the price physically to win games.
Hartnell's detractors pointed to his offensive streakiness, tendency to take undisciplined penalties and, yes, tendency to fall down at the most inopportune times. Most of all, they complained about his $4.2 million cap hit.
The six-year contract Hartnell signed when he came over from Nashville expires after next season. Over the course of next season, the Flyers are going to have to make a tough decision about the player. Do they attempt to pre-empt Hartnell's unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2013 with a new long-term contract? If so, how can his next cap hit be kept manageable?
Hartnell seems genuine happy in Philadelphia, but business is business. His next cap hit is likely to go up, if only marginally. It certainly won't go down.
Also keep in mind that many -- but not all -- power forwards start to break down physically in their early 30s, as season after season of pounding along the walls and in front of the net take their tool. Thus far, Hartnell has been remarkably durable, playing 80-82 games in all five of his seasons in Philly. Nevertheless, the wear-and-tear on those who play his style is something to keep in mind within the next few year.
Without any inside knowledge of the Flyers' plans with Hartnell, I will go with my gut instinct here: I think he will be signed to an extension next season. I also think that as soon as he hits the next bump in the road, the critics will come out of the woodwork again.
The Philadelphia sports market being what it is, the talk about Hartnell's contract worth has not gone away permanently. Hell, there are some folks who still get on Danny Briere's case for being overpaid, and the guy is only the NHL's leading playoff goal scorer since the 2004-05 lockout.
Even if Hartnell goes out and has a strong season that falls a tad short of what he did this past campaign. the Flyers are going to be second-guessed in some circles if they sign him to anything longer than a two-season extension.
But the organization can't -- and won't -- worry about that. They need to do what they feel is right for the team. Hartnell is a very important member of the team, and that's not likely to change in the next few years.
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