When Scott Laughton agreed to a two-year extension on Tuesday night, that left Flyers general manager Ron Hextall with just four remaining restricted free agents to sign.
Cut that list down to three.
Forward Taylor Leier agreed to terms with the Flyers on Thursday night, per Renaud Lavoie of the Montreal Journal. According to Lavoie, it’s a one-year deal worth $807,000 at the NHL level. CapFriendly later confirmed the signing, noting that Leier had accepted his qualifying offer.
Taylor Leier signs a one year contract with Flyers at $807 000 (2 way) #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 14, 2017
Leier spent the bulk of his 2016-17 season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the AHL, finishing with 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 48 games. It was his most efficient scoring season yet as a professional.
The contract is two-way, meaning that Leier will receive less in terms of actual compensation if he does not spend the entire year with the Flyers. And despite his solid AHL performance in 2016-17, Leier making the big club out of camp seems like a longshot. With Nolan Patrick and Oskar Lindblom both expected to make strong pushes for spots in the opening night lineup, the result is a roster crunch with 16 forwards battling for 14 spots.
Leier does have NHL experience, skating in 10 games last season and six games back in 2015-16. But the point production (one goal, one assist) and play-driving (42.2% Corsi For at 5v5) hasn’t manifested itself at the NHL level as of yet.
Leier is no longer waiver-exempt, so if the Flyers try to send him to the minors at the end of camp, he will have to be exposed to every other team in the league. However, it seems unlikely another club would claim Leier in that situation, considering the large amount of players going through waivers at that time, and the fact that the claiming team would be forced to keep Leier up with them despite the 23-year old having yet to prove he is an NHL-caliber player.
That being said, the Flyers’ organization does seem to like Leier. Riley Cote, an assistant coach with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms up until just a few weeks ago, lauded Leier in his interview with BSH Radio on Monday night.
I know [Leier’s] had his little stints [in the NHL] and people know who he is, but as far as a quality human being, a quality worker, “gets it,” a pro — he’ll find his way for sure, whether it’s the Flyers or someone else. Surely he will.
Most likely, Leier will begin next season back with the Phantoms, but expect him to be one of the first call-ups once the injury bug hits. He’ll have his chance at some point in the coming months to prove that he’s an NHL player.
