Frank Servalli of the Daily News examined the effects of the Dan Hamhius trade on the Flyers’ salary cap.
Hamhuis’ deal likely will exceed the 4-year, $14 million that Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang got last summer.
If that happens, signing Hamhuis could limit how the Flyers round out their defense. The apparent goal was to not only strengthen the unit, which Hamhuis does, but also make it deeper. The salary cap, expected to rise about $2 million to $58.8 million, could limit its depth since restricted free agent Braydon Coburn is due a raise.
He points out that signing Hamhuis, extending Coburn, and re-upping free agents like Dan Carcillo and Darrell Powe would leave little room for the Flyers to pursue a starting goalie. The Flyers best bet may be to trade for a young, affordable netminder such as Jonathon Bernier of the Kings. However, doing so would likely mean that the Flyers would have to give up a guy like Jeff Carter or James van Reimsdyk,