Rather than looking like an under-the-radar team poised to make noise in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers more closely resemble a dark-horse contender in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
The club has disappointed in the early going this season, which has led to general manager Ron Hextall lashing out as his charges. When he's not busy losing his temper in the locker room, Hextall is fielding calls from rival GMs.
In addition to upgrading his roster, Hextall, a first-year general manager, is also looking to increase his salary cap flexibility for next season and beyond.
From Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman in his latest 30 Thoughts column:
Are the Flyers trying to get creative with potential moves? Whatever they would like to do, there are a limited amount of players other teams like. What Philly has done in the past is say, 'Okay, if you want that guy, you also have to take this contract we’d like to shed.'
This theory is very sensible on paper - and certainly worth a try - but, at a time when cap dollars are tight and there are questions about the future, it is tough to do. Some of those contracts have significant term remaining.
Surely a player like Vincent Lecavalier, who has been at the center of trade rumors for months, fits into the category of "a contract Philadelphia would like to shed."
It's possible forward R.J. Umberger, signed to a deal with a $4.6-million cap hit through 2016-17, and defenseman Andrew MacDonald, who has six years remaining on his deal with a $5-million average annual salary, might also fit that mold.
