As we traverse through the NHL teams in alphabetical order, we’ll identify one individual from each team who is under immense pressure to deliver exceptional results in the 2023-24 season or potentially face undesirable consequences. Additionally, we’ll pinpoint another individual who may not be on the brink of immediate dismissal but could find themselves on the move within the next year. Finally, we’ll highlight a third person who is likely to remain with their current team for the foreseeable future. Occasionally, we’ll have multiple players within a category.
Flyers’ Hot Seat: Carter Hart, Goaltender
As the Philadelphia Flyers embark on a full-scale rebuild, many of their current players may not be part of the team’s future success in the Metropolitan Division. Newly appointed General Manager Daniel Briere has some significant roster moves on the horizon, and one of his most valuable assets is goaltender Carter Hart. While Hart’s performance has generally been commendable, his age, at 25, presents an intriguing dilemma for Flyers management. If they believe that it will be several years before the team is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, trading Hart now could yield substantial returns. Despite playing behind a struggling team, Hart improved his numbers in the 2022-23 season, with a goals-against average of 2.94 and a save percentage of .907. With just one season remaining on his contract before becoming a restricted free agent, Hart is an enticing option for many GMs. The Flyers could secure a substantial return by trading him, and the possibility of this happening is significant.
| 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | |
| Roster Size | 22 | 13 | 7 | 5 |
| Standard Player Contracts | 46 | 28 | 14 | 5 |
| Upper Limit | $83,500,000 | $83,500,000 | $83,500,000 | $82,500,000 |
| Projected Cap Hit | $79,668,763 | $63,313,096 | $38,671,429 | $30,350,000 |
| Projected Cap Space | $3,831,238 | $20,186,905 | $44,828,571 | $52,150,000 |
| Current Cap Space | $3,831,238 | $20,186,905 | $44,828,571 | $52,150,000 |
| Maximum LTIR Pool | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Roster Annual Cap Hit | $79,668,763 | $63,313,096 | $38,671,429 | $30,350,000 |
| Carryover Bonus Overages | $1,187,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Potential Bonuses | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Retained Salary Remaining | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Flyers’ Warm Seat (Tie): Scott Laughton, Center/Left Wing, and Garnet Hathaway, Right Wing
Scott Laughton, at 29 years old, had a career-best season in terms of goals, assists, and points in the previous year. Garnet Hathaway, aged 31, joined the Flyers as an unrestricted free agent, delivering 13 goals and 22 points during the last season, divided between the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins. Hathaway signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Flyers, making him the fourth-line winger. His $2.375 million annual salary is somewhat high for a fourth-liner with limited ice time, but a Cup contender might be interested in his services, similar to the Boston Bruins’ move at the recent trade deadline. Scott Laughton is in the middle of a five-year, $15 million contract, offering affordability to teams seeking veteran support upfront. Both Laughton and Hathaway may be older than the Flyers’ target age for their prime years once the rebuild is complete. General Manager Daniel Briere could potentially acquire draft picks and prospects in exchange for these valuable depth players, particularly if they perform well at the start of the season.
Flyers’ Cold Seat: Sean Couturier, Center
This selection for the cold seat is a complex one. While it’s not asserted that Sean Couturier is cherished by Flyers management, his eight-year, $62 million contract extension signed in 2021 under former GM Chuck Fletcher indicates otherwise. Couturier enters the second season of this extension, accompanied by a substantial $7.75 million cap hit. Given his age of 30 (turning 31 in December) and his missed entire 2022-23 season due to back surgeries, Couturier may not be in high demand. While Briere could potentially retain a portion of Couturier’s salary to make him more appealing to suitors, the extension’s six-year term might deter most interested teams. Additionally, Couturier possesses a full no-move clause through 2028-29, giving him significant control over his destiny. While he might waive his no-trade clause to join a playoff contender, concerns about his long-term health could limit his trade potential. Despite these uncertainties, Sean Couturier currently stands as one of the most secure players on the Flyers’ roster, for better or worse.
