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Flyers Sign Jett Luchanko To Entry-Level Contract

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The Philadelphia Flyers have put pen to paper with their first-round pick of the 2024 NHL Draft as the team announced it had signed forward Jett Luchanko to a three-year, entry-level contract. Luchanko was the 13th overall pick of last week’s draft and the Flyers organization did not seem comfortable letting him walk away from the team’s development camp without a deal in place.

Luchanko’s immediate attribute whenever he hits the ice is his energy. During his time in the Ontario Hockey League with the Guelph Storm Luchanko is consistently seen tailing opposition players with the puck and transitioning the play into offense. Throughout his second year in the Storm program, Luchanko scored 20 goals and 74 points in 68 games while leading his team in all major offensive categories.

Even though he consistently steals pucks from his opponents, Luchanko appears to be in their good graces as he won the OHL’s William Hanley Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player. Outside of the regular season, Luchanko has been unable to generate much playoff production as he’s tallied four assists over 10 postseason contests throughout his major junior career. The young forward is bound to return to Guelph for the 2024-25 OHL season as he could still use some seasoning before turning professional.

Luchanko also has some experience at the international level as he suited up for Team Canada in the 2024 Under-18 World Junior Championships. The London, Ontario native quickly became one of the top players in the tournament as he scored two goals and seven points in seven games en route to Team Canada winning their first gold medal since the tournament in 2021.

Flyers Sign Bobby Brink

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The Philadelphia Flyers have signed forward Bobby Brink to a two-year, $3MM contract. The deal will carry an annual average value of $1.5MM.

This marks Brink’s first true pro contract, earning a salary north of $1MM after spending the three years of his entry-level contract clawing his way up to the NHL lineup. Philadelphia selected Brink in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, after a smash year with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. He moved to the University of Denver following his draft year, netting 24 points in 28 games as a freshman. That scoring earned him a spot among Philadelphia’s top prospects, though a torn labrum would limit his sophomore year to just 15 games and 11 points.

But Brink made an emphatic return in 2021-22, recording 57 points across 41 games as the Denver Pioneers chased a National Championship. He signed his entry-level contract and made his NHL debut after the end of his collegiate year, totaling four assists across the first 10 games of his career to end the 2021-22 campaign.

Despite the quick start in the NHL, Brink was moved to the minors for all of last season, recording 28 points in 41 games along the way. That’s where he began this season as well, though he was called up after scoring 13 points in 13 games to start the AHL season. Brink moved into Philadelphia’s extra forward role, appearing in 57 games and recording 23 points while rotating in to the team’s bottom-six. His new two-year deal should give him a bit of cushion to get comfortable in his newfound NHL role, though Philadelphia’s recent signing of Matvei Michkov could give Brink some competition in the lineup.

Minor Free Agent Signings: Metropolitan Division

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With over 180 deals signed during the first day of free agency yesterday, some smaller names may have gotten lost in the shuffle. Here’s a list of names that have inked two-way deals with Metropolitan Division clubs since the market opened yesterday, per CapFriendly. Some of these may have been included in our main coverage yesterday, while others went under the radar. All contracts carry the league-minimum $775K cap hit unless stated otherwise). Those listed here are likely to begin 2024-25 with each team’s AHL affiliate.

Carolina Hurricanes

none

Columbus Blue Jackets

D Cole Clayton (one year, $950K entry-level cap hit)
F Owen Sillinger (one year)

New Jersey Devils

F Mike Hardman (two years)
D Colton White (two years)

New York Islanders

none

New York Rangers

none

Philadelphia Flyers

none

Pittsburgh Penguins

D Nathan Clurman (one year)
D Mac Hollowell (one year)
F Jimmy Huntington (one year)
F Bokondji Imama (one year)
D Ryan Shea (one year)

Washington Capitals

G Mitchell Gibson (one year)
D Chase Priskie (one year)

Flyers Sign Matvei Michkov To Entry-Level Contract

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The Flyers have signed top right wing prospect Matvei Michkov to his three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced. The seventh overall pick in last year’s draft had recently been released from his contract overseas with Russia’s SKA St. Petersburg ahead of schedule.

Michkov has faced a long string of rumors since his draft day, with many teams concerned that he may face challenges getting out of his contract with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg, which was set to run through the 2025-26 season. But SKA decided to terminate Michkov’s contract early, with SKA chariman Alexander Medvedev citing Michkov’s dream to play in the NHL and recent personal loss as primary reasons for the buyout. With his entry-level contract signed and an invite to Philadelphia’s development camp, it seems there are now no barriers to Michkov pursuing the NHL.

Michkov will move to North America as perhaps the top prospect in the NHL, after serving as the star power for the KHL’s HK Sochi over the last two seasons. Sochi is an affiliate of SKA and often used to loan out additional contracts, without pulling players out of the KHL. That gives them one of the league’s weaker teams year-over-year, but Michkov didn’t seem daunted by his company – totaling nine goals and 20 points in 27 games last year, and then 19 goals and 41 points in 47 games this year. That scoring comes out to 0.74 and 0.85 points per game respectively – ranked eigth and second among all U21 seasons in KHL history, despite Michkov not turning 20 until December. He’s a dynamic, highly aware player with the hands to stickhandle in a phone booth and the confidence to take on and beat any defenders head-on, regardless of whether they’re his own age or hardened KHL vets. His shot has also gained notoriety, with Michkov pulling off Connor Bedard-esque wrist shots – lightning quick and not needing much room – though Michkov doesn’t have nearly the same power or snap that will make Bedard’s shot legendary.

Regardless, Michkov is a star prospect, once considered the only player capable of beating out Bedard for 2023’s first overall spot. That hype changed as their draft seasons approached, with hotly debated rumors and a move to Sochi helping Philadelphia land Michkov at seventh-overall. He’ll quickly get to prove his doubters wrong, set up for what should be a smash year with the Flyers. The extent of Michkov’s talent won’t be clear until Philadelphia’s development and training camps, but all signs point towards him being capable of a top-line role, after averaging 17:12 in ice tie in the KHL this year. Should that be where Michkov lands, he’ll be in direct competition with Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, and Joel Farabee for minutes. Michkov is helped along by a natural ability to play either wing, though he’ll still have to proudly earn his ice time; juxtaposed by three 50-point scorers. If Michkov is the superstar he’s claimed to be – a thought that truly seems hard to doubt – he should have no challenge carving out a role, and should immediately join a Calder Trophy debate that’s also expected to feature Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Logan Stankoven, and Cutter Gauthier, among a long list of talented prospects getting their shot.

Flyers Sign Garnet Hathaway To Two-Year Extension

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The Flyers have inked grinder Garnet Hathaway to a two-year extension worth $2.4MM annually, per a team announcement. He’s entering the final season of a two-year deal at a slightly cheaper $2.375MM cap hit. His new contract will take effect with the 2025-26 season.

The 32-year-old had a decent first year in Philadelphia after coming over in free agency from Boston.  Offensively, he had seven goals and ten assists in 82 games while collecting a career-high 132 penalty minutes and 326 hits, the most of any forward in the NHL.  Hathaway averaged 12:29 per game and played a secondary role on the penalty kill.  For his career, Hathaway has 65 goals, 74 assists, 622 penalty minutes, and 1,672 hits in 539 NHL contests between four teams.

Still, it’s somewhat surprising that the Flyers elected to get an extension done this quickly with Hathaway.  For someone who produces at closer to a fourth-line level, the price point is a little high (as his current deal is) but they clearly value the grit he brings to the table with a younger core group up front.  Hathaway is now signed through the 2026-27 campaign, meaning he’ll be 35 when this new agreement expires, making him subject to 35-plus contract rules.

Flyers Re-Sign Erik Johnson

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TSN’s Chris Johnston reports the Philadelphia Flyers are expected to re-sign defenseman Erik Johnson to a one-year contract. Johnson was originally acquired by the Flyers from the Buffalo Sabres at the 2024 trade deadline and is expected to play in his 1,000th regular season game this year. The deal will pay Johnson a total of $1MM according to PuckPedia.

After appearing in 50 games with the Sabres during the 2023-24 NHL season, Johnson was moved into a much larger role in the Flyers organization. Johnson went from averaging just under 14 minutes a night in Buffalo to 16:26 minutes a game in 17 games for Philadelphia. Poised for a bottom-pairing role in the City of Brotherly Love — Johnson still packs a punch physically and is a solid veteran presence for any team’s blue line.

If Philadelphia can’t improve or repeat the team’s performance from last season, Johnson should be a tradeable asset come the trade deadline season. Whether it be filling in for injury or rounding out a contending team’s defensive core, Johnson is only two years removed from winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. Nevertheless, Johnson still holds tremendous value for the Flyers as young defensemen such as Cam York, Yegor Zamula, and Jamie Drysdale could all benefit from playing alongside the former first-overall pick.

Flyers Buy Out Cam Atkinson

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06/29: Atkinson has cleared unconditional waivers and will be bought out, shares Sportsnet’s Elliote Friedman (Twitter link).

06/28: The Philadelphia Flyers are planning to buy out the final season of Cam Atkinson’s seven-year, $41.125MM contract, the team shared. Philadelphia will carry a $2.358MM cap hit this season, and a $1.758MM cap hit next season, as a result of this buyout – accumulating $1.759MM in total savings over the $5.875MM cap hit that Atkinson was due this year. The Flyers will also get out from under Atkinson’s modified no-trade-clause, which allowed the veteran winger to submit a 10-team no-trade list.

This buyout brings a quiet end to Atkinson’s three-year stretch in Philadelphia. He was plenty productive two sesaons ago, posting 23 goals and 50 points in 73 games – his highest scoring since 2019. But Atkinson was forced out of the entirety of the 2022-23 season with a neck injury and struggled to rekindle his spark this year. He fell to a measly 13 goals and 28 points in 70 games. On the back of lagging performances, Atkinson slipped all year, ultimately earning multiple healthy scratches in the season’s second half.

Benchings are a heavy fall for Atkinson, who spent nearly a decade locked into the Columbus Blue Jackets top-six earlier in his career. He posted at least 20 goals in every season between 2013 and 2019 – including a career-high 41 goals and 69 points in 80 games during the 2018-19 season. But injuries have never been Atkinson’s friend – with a string of lower-body injuries limiting his early career and a nagging right-ankle sprain ultimately cutting his 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons in half. With the writing of an aging veteran on the wall, Columbus flipped Atkinson to the Flyers in July of 2021, acquiring Jakub Voracek – another veteran winger plagued by injuries.

And while Atkinson will now enter the free agent market with still winds, there seems to still be interest around the league. The San Jose Sharks were reportedly interested in trading for Atkinson just two weeks ago, though his trade protection kept him from going to a Sharks team that seems set for another down year. San Jose surely would’ve preferred Atkinson’s near-$6MM price tag, as they try to reach the cap floor, but will now get a chance to negotiate openly with the 12-year veteran. Atkinson hasn’t found much success over his career, playing in just 35 career postseason games, but he offers the leadership of a veteran with 770 career games – a presence that could be invaluable to young teams like the Sharks.

Edmonton Acquires 32nd Overall Pick From Philadelphia

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Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Edmonton Oilers have acquired the 31st overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers will receive the Oilers’ first-round pick in 2025 or 2026 based on conditions attached to the pick per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.

After losing the Stanley Cup Final only a few days ago, Edmonton was able to trade into the first round after all. The organization selected Sam O’Reilly out of the top-tier London Knights program in the Ontario Hockey League. O’Reilly carries keen awareness all over the ice and is a defensive-minded center through and through.

In 68 games for London this season, O’Reilly scored 20 goals and 56 points while collecting a rating of +32. After the regular season, O’Reilly tallied another five goals and 12 points in 16 postseason contests as the Knights made it to the Memorial Cup Finals after going 16-2 in the OHL playoffs. Long-term, due to his style of play, O’Reilly projects to be a solid bottom-six option in Edmonton.

It was likely an easy gamble for the Flyers, as Philadelphia must hope the Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup Final over the next two seasons to reap positive value out of this deal. Even before the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Flyers potentially already have three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft if certain conditions are met.

Minnesota, Philadelphia Swap 12th Overall And 13th Overall

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The Minnesota Wild have acquired the 12th overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection in next year’s draft (X Link).

The Wild would use the selection on defenseman Zeev Buium out of the University of Denver, who miraculously fell to 12th overall. Minnesota adds another dynamic defensive prospect while already having Brock Faber on the back end.

Aside from winning the 2024 National Championship with Denver, Buium rose the draft charts considerably after scoring 11 goals and 50 points in only 42 games. With his strong skating and ability to escape oncoming pressure, Buium is eerily similar to former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox from the New York Rangers. By only having to attach a third-round pick to select one of the best defensemen available in the draft — Minnesota could end up with one of the biggest steals of the night.

The Flyers, on the other hand, used the 13th overall pick to select Jett Luchanko out of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. Considering that this selection is a bit of a reach compared to mock picks, the Flyers were likely more than happy to move back one spot and add a third-round selection next year.

As one of the fastest players in the draft, Luchanko can transition with the puck very effectively. In 68 games for the Storm this past season, Luchanko put up 20 goals and 74 points while winning the William Hanley Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player.

Flyers Looking To Trade For Fourth Overall Pick

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Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to engage in contract talks but Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois isn’t sure that a deal will get done before July 1st (as per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times). The Lightning GM met with Stamkos’ representatives as recently as yesterday but with Tampa Bay’s cap crunch, the 2008 first overall pick may go to market.

Stamkos would have no shortage of suitors (as per Darren Dreger of TSN) if he becomes an unrestricted free agent and it would mark the end of an incredible era in Tampa Bay. Stamkos has won two Stanley Cups with the Lightning as well as two Rocket Richard trophies and has tallied 555 goals and 582 assists in 1082 NHL games. If the 34-year-old does go to market, he is sure to find a lucrative deal as he is coming off a season in which he registered 40 goals and 41 assists in 79 games.

In other Eastern Conference notes:

  • Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports is reporting that Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has held extension talks with defenseman Victor Hedman. BriseBois told the media that he hopes that he will agree on an extension in the coming days as Hedman is eligible to sign a new deal on July 1st. The 33-year-old has one year left on his current contract and is coming off another strong season in which he posted 13 goals and 63 assists in 78 games. Hedman’s cap hit for next year will be $7.875MM, but his actual salary will be $7MM.
  • Pierre LeBrun of TSN is reporting that the Philadelphia Flyers made a big push to try and acquire the fourth overall pick in this year’s NHL entry draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets. LeBrun’s sources have told him the Philadelphia made the offer on Wednesday and it was reported to include a swap of first-round picks, a player off the Flyers roster, and potentially the Flyers first-round pick next year. According to reports, Blue Jackets’ general manager Don Waddell turned down the offer, but it remains possible that the teams re-engage in the hours leading up to the draft.

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