- Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post: (mailbag) With Michael Del Zotto re-signed, the Flyers have eight defensemen on one-way contracts. GM Ron Hextall will need to make a roster move. Isaac speculates that defenseman Brandon Manning could be the odd man out.
“If push comes to shove he could waive Manning and send him to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This scenario would allow none of the Flyers’ young prospects to make the team, but it would be possible and would give the Flyers close to $1 million in salary cap space.”
On the potential for defenseman Ivan Provorov to make the Flyers’ NHL roster out of training camp:
“My own personal belief is that Ivan Provorov, the 2015 first-round pick who has already signed his entry-level contract, will be given every chance possible to make the NHL team. Hextall has been very tepid about entertaining the idea of one of the young prospects making the team. With Provorov specifically he hasn’t been as cold on the topic, but that may just be because his recording on prospect philosophy is getting worn out.”
Isaac notes that Luke Schenn had a better season than most onlookers realized and noted that the right-handed defenseman could be a trade piece for GM Ron Hextall.
On the possibility of the Flyers inking a new deal with upcoming free agent Jakub Voracek, Isaac believes the team will extend him before he hits the UFA market next summer, and he’ll likely have a cap hit in the $7 million range.
- Buckey Gleason of the Buffalo News: Patrick Kaleta remains unsigned, and it’s possible that he’s played his last game for the Sabres.
“It’s a waiting game,” Kaleta said. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to show that the new flavor isn’t always the best flavor. Look at Mike Grier. You realize how much you miss him, and then you want him back.”
Someone could offer him a training camp invite if he’s not able to contract.
“In my career, I’ve surpassed any and everyone’s expectations,” Kaleta said. “I’ve played nine years in the NHL and been part of the Sabres’ organization for 11 or 12. I have plenty left in the tank based on how I feel. When it’s all said and done, if I have to have a job like everyone else has a job, that’s fine. I’ll provide for my family however I can, give back to the community and move onto the next part of my life.”
