5 players the Philadelphia Flyers should target in free agency
1. LW Conor Sheary
2019-2020 Team: Buffalo Sabres/Pittsburgh Penguins
2019-2020 Cap Hit: $3 million
Last but not least on this list, we take a peek at a player who has been the enemy for most of his NHL career. Now for the second time in his career, Conor Sheary finds himself (potentially) as a former Pittsburgh Penguin.
Fresh off a three-year, $9 million contract ($3 mill AAV), Sheary hits the open market more than likely set to receive a similar, if not discounted new deal. The reasoning for this is his point production has dipped a tad in the past few seasons. After producing 53 points (23 goals 30 assists) in 61 games as a Penguin back in 2016-2017, Sheary hasn’t really come close to matching that production. He saw his production dip all the way down to 23 points (10 goals 13 assists) in 63 games between Buffalo and Pittsburgh this past year. It is worth noting; he was solid in his brief return to Pittsburgh.
Point production aside, Sheary would be one heck of an addition to the bottom-six forward group in Philadelphia. I liken his game a bit to current Flyer Michael Raffl. This is because they both sort of have that “Swiss army knife” aspect to their game. What I mean by this is you can shift those kinds of players all over the lineup. I have no doubt that if signed, the former Penguin could even skate sporadically in the top six if needed. It goes without saying; you can never have enough versatile players on your roster.
Another huge thing that Sheary brings to the table is loads of playoff experience he obtained in Pittsburgh. He was able to win two Stanley Cups in his time as a Penguin and has played in 61 career playoff games already. He also has a knack for big goals, as he did score an overtime-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals against the San Jose Sharks.
Fun unrelated fact: Current Flyer Justin Braun scored in that game as well for the Sharks.
Next. Did the Flyers find the goal scorer they seek in Round 1?. dark
At just 28-years-old, Conor Sheary will be seeking a multi-year contract in the ballpark of $2-3 million per year. While the Philadelphia Flyers are currently a bit strapped for cap room, it is not out of the question that they would be able to secure Sheary on this kind of deal. With a pressing need in their bottom six, this feels like a move that could pay huge dividends for Philadelphia.