According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Philadelphia Flyers are so keen on moving on from forward Jakub Voracek, they are prepared to give him away for nothing. That’s what will happen if the Seattle Kraken select him during this year’s NHL Expansion Draft. Voracek will be available, confirms Friedman and, one way or another, he’s unlikely to be on the Flyers’ roster next season.
Related: Flyers Potentially Looking to Clear Out Voracek’s Salary via Trade
Now, there is a chance he’ll be back. Friedman has noted that if the two sides can’t find a trade that they feel is fair, or if Seattle doesn’t take him, there is an understanding that he may stay put That too is possible because contract isn’t going to be the easiest contract to dump as he’s making $8.25 million per season over the next three seasons. Now a 32-year-old winger, he’s remained a relatively productive player, but it’s fair to argue teams can get similar production for less money in today’s NHL landscape. While Seattle might be the most likely landing spot, even for them — a team with a fresh salary cap slate — he’s a big investment.
Friedman writes that Voracek has actually been told by the Flyers that he will not be protected during the draft. Whether the preference is that Seattle takes him so that the Flyers can use the cap space that leaves in other ways or they’re able to trade the player for something in return is unclear. Perhaps it doesn’t matter. The Flyers may just be happy to move on, regardless of any return and Voracek sounds just as happy to exit the organization as they are to have go.
Voracek Could Be a Good Add for the Kraken
Voracek has averaged close to 20 goals and 65 points per season for over a decade (not counting the shortened seasons). He’s a top-six forward on most teams and would inevitably be one on the Kraken’s roster. New head coach Dave Hakstol also knows Vorecek well. It was under Hakstol that the winger had his most productive seasons.
Seattle might be wise to reach out to the Flyers and suggest they could be looking at someone else but see if the Flyers will toss in a draft pick to ensure they take Voracek. Whether they plan to take him anyways isn’t relevant. The Flyers are desperate and this is opportunity for Seattle to get a little something extra.
The Flyers might believe Seattle wouldn’t pass on a player like Voracek, but that salary makes everything a question mark.
Next: More On Maple Leafs Potential Interest in Taylor Hall, Other UFA Talk
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