Flyers Kicking Tires On Adding Cheap Goaltending At Trade Deadline
Elliotte Friedman reported that the Philadelphia Flyers could be interested in bringing in a cheap goalie or forward to reward the team's success.
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports - Flyers Kicking Tires On Adding Cheap Goaltending At Trade DeadlineElliotte Friedman reported that the Philadelphia Flyers could be interested in bringing in a cheap goalie or forward to reward the team's success.
"I could see Daniel Briere and Keith Jones considering it, something to reward the players who've given their all. It would go over huge in the room," Friedman writes.
At the start of this season, the Flyers were not expected to be anywhere close to a playoff spot. A slight boost was expected with Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson healthy.
Four days before the trade deadline, the Flyers control their destiny and sit in third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are five points ahead of the New York Islanders but have played two more games.
The Carter Hart saga is well documented, leaving Sam Ersson as the team's No. 1 goalie, and while he has fared well, acquiring a cheaper, somewhat veteran goalie wouldn't be a bad idea. The Cal Petersen experiment didn't work, and Felix Sandstrom is getting another opportunity in the NHL.
Kaapo Kahkonen of the San Jose Sharks and Karel Vejmelka of the Arizona Coyotes could be two goalies that Briere targets.
Kahkonen's name has been rumored a lot this season. He is a pending UFA and has a cap hit of $2.75 million. Despite not having the most gaudy numbers, Kahkonen's play for the Sharks has been terrific. He ranks high in many advanced stats, including first in high-danger unblocked shot attempts.
Vejmelka is a little more complicated than Kahkonen, given he has one more year left on his contract at $2,725,000. With Connor Ingram taking over the No. 1 in Arizona, Vejmelka's name has quietly gone around trade rumors.
Similar to Kahkonen, Vejmelka is playing behind a struggling defense. Last season, in 50 games, he finished with a .900 save %, but his success this year hasn't been the same. He's shown flashes of finding the form he had for much of last season.
Both goaltenders are 27 and could provide better results with a John Tortorella defense in front of them.
If the front office decides to reward their roster, these two goalies would likely be the best options at a cheap price.
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