Flyers linked to pending free agent Dougie Hamilton

It's going to be a long offseason for Philadelphia Flyers fans, one full of speculation about the moves that this team needs to make in order to get back on track.

Does Carter Hart need more time to develop? Are Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek still the game-breakers they once were? And what happens with the defence?

One thing that's clear to me: this team missed Matt Niskanen a LOT.

Niskanen, of course, abruptly announced his retirement last season and truthfully the team never found a replacement for Niskanen's minutes this season. Blueliners Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim led the team in ice time and performed decently, but depth players like Shayne Gostisbehere, Phillippe Myers and Erik Gustafsson simply didn't cut it. It's expected now that the team's defence corps will be a big focus for GM Chuck Fletcher this offseason.

In his latest column for NBC Philadelphia, Flyers reporter Jordan Hall reports that the Flyers could target Carolina Hurricanes defenceman and pending unrestricted free agent Dougie Hamilton as a potential solution, but that it would require a huge financial commitment to secure him. Hamilton is coming off a contract that pays him $5.75 million per season and he's likely looking for a raise and some significant term this offseason. He's made it clear that his preference is to remain with the Hurricanes, but well... money talks.

The 27 year old Hamilton put up an impressive 42 points in 55 games with the Hurricanes this past regular season, a total that would put him 2nd in points amongst Flyers players this season. Not amongst Flyers defencemen, mind you, but all Flyers players. As it is, Provorov led the Flyers' defence corps with just 26 points this past season. It's also worth noting that Hamilton plays a steady, not flashy and not typically physical, defensive game. He closes quickly on attackers and is good at taking away passing lanes and outlet options. He'll never wow you with big hits and blocked shots though, that's simply not his game. His game relies on taking away space, taking away options and then recovering possession of the puck. He's a pure modern day NHL defenceman.

For more on the Flyers' pursuit of Hamilton, click the link below: