Tim Panaccio of CSNPhilly.com is reporting that negotiations between the Flyers and Dan Hamhuis’ agent will start right away on Monday with the intention of getting a contract worked out in time for next week’s NHL draft. Says agent Wade Arnott:
“We had some discussion, albeit in its infancy stage,” Arnott told CSNPhilly.com. “We decided to round up on Monday and go from there.”
Arnott said “anything is possible” regarding whether a deal could be in place before the draft ended next weekend.
Said Hamhuis today after the trade:
“I think Philly has an unbelievable defense corps,” said Hamhuis. “To join a corps like that makes the Flyers one of the tougher ones in the league. To play against the teams from the East, the conference has a lot of great forwards. Watching the playoffs, having a great defense will get you a long way.”
The Flyers will have to make some moves in order to have enough space under the salary cap in order to pay Hamhuis, although you wonder in what order Philly will be making those moves. Will they sign Hamhuis first then be forced to move salary? Either way the Flyers will not have the upper hand in negotiations as teams know that the Flyers need to dump salary.