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5 worst contracts signed in Philadelphia Flyers franchise history feat. Ilya Bryzgalov
The Philadelphia Flyers, as is the case with virtually every NHL team, have made their fair share of contract mistakes. However, some contract signings stand out as the worst in team history. These contracts were more than misjudgments. In some instances, they were gambles that just didn’t pay off.
Here’s a look at the five worst contracts in Philadelphia Flyers history.
5 worst contracts signed in Philadelphia Flyers franchise history
#5. R.J. Umberger
Umberger was selected No. 16 overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2001. He was a promising center with plenty of potential. However, he never played for the Canucks. Umberger could not agree on a contract with the club, so they subsequently traded his rights to the New York Rangers. However, Umberger didn’t sign with the Rangers, either.
Eventually, he signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. Umberger played well and eventually got paid by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
However, things didn’t work out in Columbus. So, Umberger was traded back to Philly in the infamous Scott Hartnell trade. The problem was that Umberger's five-year, $23 million contract came to Philly with him. After posting 11 points in 39 games in 2015-16, the Flyers bought out his contract.
#4. Chris Gratton
Gratton was Tampa Bay’s first-ever draft pick, taken No. 3 overall in 1993. He played well in Tampa, notching a 30-goal season in 1996-97.
During the 1997 offseason, the Lightning were strapped for cash. So, they could not afford to match the Flyers’ offer sheet for Gratton. After an arbitrator sided with the Philadelphia Flyers, Gratton signed a five-year, $16.5 million deal.
After a solid first season in which Gratton scored 22 goals and 62 points, inconsistency marred his second season. Gratton registered one goal in 26 games. So, the Flyers sent Gratton back to the Lightning, where he would play until a trade to the Buffalo Sabres in 2000.
#3. Vincent Lecavalier
Lecavalier is a legend in Tampa Bay. But once upon a time, he also played for the Philadelphia Flyers. Following the end of the 2012-13 season, the Bolts bought out the remainder of Lecavalier’s 11-year, $85 million deal.
So, the Flyers pounced on the opportunity to bring in a notable veteran to provide leadership and scoring. The Flyers inked Lecavalier to a five-year, $22.5 million deal. Unfortunately, Lecavalier had little left in the tank.
Lecavalier scored 20 goals in 69 games with Philly in his first year but then plummeted to eight goals in 57 games in 2014-15. He was later traded to the Los Angeles Kings the following season after failing to score in his first seven games.
The Canadian played 42 games for the Kings before hanging up his skates for good.
#2. Andrew MacDonald
MacDonald was a great depth defenseman who brought toughness and a sound defensive game. A sixth-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2006, MacDonald quickly made his way to the big club.
Midway through his best offensive year in 2013-14, the Isles traded MacDonald to the Flyers in exchange for the Flyers third-round pick in 2014 (which the Isles used to select Ilya Sorokin) and Philly’s second-round pick in 2015, which the Flyers flipped to Boston (the Bruins selected Brandon Carlo).
Inexplicably, the Flyers gave MacDonald a six-year, $30 million contract extension during the 2014 offseason. However, they quickly realized their mistake as MacDonald’s defensive game began slipping. His offensive production gradually evaporated, making him a target for fans and analysts.
The Flyer eventually waived MacDonald in the 2018-19 season.
#1. Ilya Bryzgalov
Bryzgalov is an example of betting high on a player’s potential. After a decent start to his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks, Bryzgalov caught on with the Phoenix Coyotes. He was a workhorse for the ‘Yotes, starting 69 games in 2009-10, posting a 2.29 GAA and a .920 SV%.
By the 2011 offseason, Bryzgalov was a free agent. Philadelphia saw an opportunity and signed him to a nine-year, $51 million contract. The $5.67 million AAV was high for a starting goalie at the time, but the Flyers felt he could play much better in Philly than Phoenix.
However, inconsistency and off-ice issues – particularly poor play in the playoffs – led to the Flyers buying out Bryzgalov’s contract in 2013. It was the largest buyout at the time and crippled the Flyers financially for over a decade.
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