Ron Hextall spoke with the media on Friday afternoon, just a few hours before the start of the official free agency period on Saturday at 12 p.m. He discussed the injury to Nolan Patrick and how it won’t really impact his summer training.
But more to the immediate point, Hextall was asked about his free agency plans. And after the Thursday signing of Jordan Weal and the expected signing of Brian Elliott on Saturday, it’s looking like the Flyers are done. No Justin Williams, then.
The primary reason for that? Hextall said he wants to give the young prospects every opportunity to make the Flyers roster this fall in training camp, which should be music to your dang ears on this holiday Friday afternoon.
Hextall said he doesn’t want to box out young players over summer.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) June 30, 2017
Hexy says he might have signed a vet (Justin Williams?) if he didn’t sign Weal. Now he thinks he’s set at F.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) June 30, 2017
Hextall said intent is to sign goalie tomorrow then will look at market after July 1.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) June 30, 2017
For all intents and purposes, then, it looks like NHL free agency is basically done here in Philadelphia before it ever really began. They’ll probably add a minor-league piece or two but that’s about it.
We’ll see how it shakes out on Saturday once things truly begin, or if Hextall is even throwing a smokescreen here. But he’s generally pretty forward when speaking publicly, and it’s easy to see him being set with the team he has.
