3 Centers Flyers Should Target In Offseason

The Philadelphia Flyers may not be ready to step into the playoffs, but they would do well to take a step closer. To do that, they need to be stronger up the middle, and that means Noah Cates isn't the second line center. While he is pretty good, he would fit well as the third line center for now at least. This would push Ryan Poehling down to the fourth line center position and possibly outmatch some other team's fourth lines after his decent season.

There may be options through a trade, but acquiring centermen in trades either cost too much or are too difficult to find for the most part. If the Flyers want to upgrade down the middle, free agency is the place to do that this offseason.

Sam Bennett

If Sam Bennett reaches free agency, many teams are going to be all over the opportunity to sign him. That doesn't bode well for any team in particular who will have to overpay a bit, but he is proving that he is at least worth the investment in playoffs and a solid second line center throughout the season who can score goals and antagonize. The Flyers would have to give him seven years, and with only Jett Luchanko as a viable option to play center in the top-6 anytime soon, it wouldn't be a bad signing with the cap space available.

Mikeal Granlund

I'm not sure if Sean Couturier should even be a top line center anymore. His offensive numbers definitely aren't there, but he is still great defensively. If there is a free agent center out there that thrives under the pressure of carrying a line on a bad team, it's Mikael Granlund who did it for multiple years in San Jose and still has the offensive touch. At 33 years old, he won't require a seven-year deal, and that could work out better for the Flyers if they are ready to compete in a couple of years. His veteran presence would definitely help out the younger and less experienced wingers.

Ryan Donato

It remains to be seen whether the Chicago Blackhawks can re-sign Ryan Donato as time is ticking and they aren't close on term/money. If he hits free agency, any team that signs him will get a quality player that can play up and down the lineup while working very hard and contributing wherever he plays. That's what he showed with the Blackhawks in a career year that has earned him what he is asking for. Even if a contract offered to Donato is a little higher than the Flyers would like, he could be a very useful piece in getting the team closer to where they want to be. It's hard to overlook a 31-goal, 62-point scorer in the NHL on one of the worst offensive teams in the league.