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Sign a Goalie, That's It. |
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Aside from the Nolan Patrick news – Bill Meltzer is handling that elsewhere on the site – we have an update on free agency.
Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said his intent Saturday afternoon is to sign a free agent goaltender.
He said he doesn’t foresee doing anything else of consequence because he was able to re-sign winger Jordan Weal.
“I don’t want to box out a young player [from making the roster],” Hextall said, adding that had Weal not accepted the Flyers late offer on Thursday night, there’s a good chance he would signed a veteran player.
He would never say who, but given that Justin Williams is a three-time Cup winner and a “winner” on and off the ice in other ways, I could have seen that happening.
In fact, my guess is Flyer fans would have preferred Williams over Jori Lehtera.
As for a goalie, Fox Sports Midwest reported the Flyers already have a two-year, $5.5 million agreement lined up with Calgary’s Brian Elliott.
That makes sense as Elliott’s name has been bandied about all week.
Had Ottawa’s Craig Anderson been available to the Flyers, he would have an option, but not now.
“I can’t comment on another team’s player … we’ve reached out to people because we can and we will leave it at that see what happens tomorrow,” Hextall said.
The Flyers are trying to buy time – two years or less – for one of their goalie prospects to emerge: Carter Hart, Alex Lyon, Felix Sandstrom or Anthony Stolarz.
Elliott will work with Michal Neuvirth. Either one of these guys could be the No. 1, depending upon how camp goes.
As for other signings, Hextall said he would prefer to wait a few days when prices drop.
“We’ll see if there are any good buys out there,” Hextall said. “Tomorrow the intent is to sign a goalie and see as the summer goes if we’ll sign anyone else.”
He then reiterated about making sure there are roster spots for his young players – Oskar Lindblom and others.
“We felt really strongly about Jordan Weal,” he said. “If we didn’t sign Jordan Weal we might have looked for one more forward to upgrade our skill level. Now that we have Jordan in the fold, we’ll hold there.”
Hextall added he will look for some AHL depth players tomorrow like his did last season with the Boyd Gordon signing. The Flyers have been linked to NJ native Kenny Agostino as a potential signing.
~ finito ~
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • 
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