Columbus has a very good chance at adding Fantilli/Bedard; I assume Jiricek is in the NHL next season (maybe Svozil pushes late); Werenski will return; super talented Kent Johnson could have a big 2nd year; they have nearly $15MM in cap space this summer (we'll see the cap in/out with Kev); they also likely have the Kings 1st to use any which way. Would it really be surprising if Gaudreau has a resurgent year with that talent, and Columbus is in the wild card race? Unlike the Flyers, they really have optionality and a way back on track quickly to utilize a 30 y.o. Gaudreau.
What does a resurgent season look like for him? He's floated between 0.8 and 1.0 ppg over a season in 7 of his 9 seasons. And his monster year came in his contract year, which always makes me leery as there is a such a huge motivation factor that I think it skews that seasons a little.
Even with Bedard there I struggle to see him consistently playing up to last years (obviously) or 18/19s standard. Not that he is a bad player by any means but I'm fine with the Flyers not paying 9.75 for a 29 year old undersized winger who is super reliant on shiftiness and a quick first step to create separation. Especially since he would likely be at least 32 by the time the Flyers open up a real contention window.
All that signing would do in my opinion is hang them more firmly in no man's land.
It's the one place Fletchers incompetence I think helped the team.
The brainless shills are already at it
