Three free agents still available the Philadelphia Flyers should pursue
1. F Conor Sheary
2020 Team: Buffalo Sabres/Pittsburgh Penguins
2020 Cap Hit: $3 Million Dollars
As we get to the final name on our list, it is a rather familiar face for the Philadelphia Flyers. That’s right, Conor Sheary has spent the bulk of his five year NHL career in the same state as the orange and black. Now for the second time in his short career, he finds himself as a former member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It is safe to say that even in his brief time in the Burgh’, Sheary has put together a pretty remarkable career to this point.
While individually he has never been a dominant force in the NHL, he has been able to rack up not one but TWO Stanley Cups, and still only finds himself at 28 years old. Pretty impressive stuff. As noted he has never been an offensive dynamo (aside from his 53 points in 61 games in 2016 skating alongside Sidney Crosby,) however he has shown to be a very solid NHL’er.
Aside from his time in Pittsburgh, Sheary also spent a season and a half with the Buffalo Sabres, where he filled in admirably as a strong bottom six forward. Outside of his offensive explosion in 2016, Sheary has shown to possess a good two-way game and the ability to chip in roughly 35-40 points per season. Combine that with his Stanley Cup pedigree as well as still being only 28 years old, and you have yourself a very attractive free agent.
Sheary still does find himself on the open market, but I believe this can be attributed to the unusual situation we find ourselves in, with this current COVID 19 impacted NHL landscape.
The big difference in Conor Sheary as opposed to the other players mentioned on this list aside from his age, is the fact that he will likely require a multi-year commitment. With that said, there is no reason the Philadelphia Flyers should balk at that, considering what he brings to the table. Possessed with such a young team, adding a guy with two Stanley Cups to his resume could be a huge boost to the rest of the roster. Especially considering Matt Niskanen’s sudden retirement this offseason, the need for a guy who has been to the mountain top is kind of paramount.
Sheary could instantly come in and improve the bottom six forward group, and he could even be used all throughout the lineup as he has shown this capability in the past. I did mention previously when speaking on Conor Sheary, that the players in the Flyers lineup that he reminds me of most would be Michael Raffl or Scott Laughton; who both are guys who can be used like a “swiss army knife.” Having those kind of players in your lineup adds an entirely different dynamic, and also better prepares you for injuries as you can plug and play them all throughout the lineup.
Looking to add Sheary to a contract identical to his previous deal could be an absolute bargain. Three years at $9 million dollars ($3 million per year) feels like a no brainer for a team like the Flyers who finally appear ready to legitimately compete for the Stanley Cup.
dark. Next. Nolan Patrick remains a huge unknown for the Philadelphia Flyers
As we progress closer to the start of the next NHL season, the orange and black would be wise to add a player to their bottom six forward group. Any of the three players mentioned here could be great additions, and possibly ones that could put the Flyers that much closer to their first championship in 45 years.