General manager Daniel Briere said that the Flyers would likely keep quiet for the rest of July 1st after signing Ryan Poehling earlier on Saturday afternoon. However, something came up that piqued his interest and Philadelphia capitalized.
The Flyers signed Garnet Hathaway to a two-year, $4.75 million contract ($2.375M AAV), the team announced on Saturday night.
DONE DEAL: We have signed forward Garnet Hathaway to a two-year, $4.75 million contract ($2.375 million AAV). https://t.co/GDwZxzvweg
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 2, 2023
Hathaway, 31, is a journeyman veteran landing with his third team this calendar year, and fourth of his career. He started out with four years in Calgary, spent three-plus seasons as a Metropolitan division rival down in Washington, and was traded to Boston at last year’s deadline along with Dmitry Orlov.
You may recognize the name as the Capitals forward who spit on Erik Gudbranson during a brawl a few years ago.
Hopefully, Hathaway can keep his saliva to himself in Philadelphia.
Hathaway seems like a player that John Tortorella will love. He’s “hard to play against” as a bottom-six grinder for most of his career.
He scored a career-high 14 goals and 26 points in his last full season in Washington (2021-22) and nearly matched that in 84 total games between the Capitals and Bruins last season (13 goals, 22 points).
The bottom-six winger had an expected goals-for percentage of 55.02% in his 59 games with the Capitals last season, per Natural Stat Trick. That was good for an xGF% relative of +4.82.
The Flyers need some players to fill out the fourth line and Hathaway could become a fan favorite in Philadelphia due to his hard-nosed style of hockey.
If there is any criticism, it’s with the contract. A one-year pact would be ideal, but a second year isn’t the worst thing in the world. It’ll give Hathaway a chance to grow some roots. Who knows, maybe he becomes one of those culture guys to help lead the transition until Matvei Michkov can come over in a few years.
Hathaway could also be sought after at each of the next two trade deadlines due to his low cap hit and known skillset. Teams want players that can grind away in the postseason and Hathaway is exactly that.
Hathaway made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on February 29, 2016, against, you guessed it, the Philadelphia Flyers.
Earlier on Friday, the Flyers also signed another forward to a two-way contract.
DONE DEAL: We have signed forward Rhett Gardner to a two-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000. https://t.co/qDwpcJTto0
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 1, 2023
Rhett Gardner is a 27-year-old forward that recorded 40 points (10 goals) in 71 games with the Texas Stars last season.
Gardner has two points in 40 career NHL games and only played in the AHL last season. He should be some good forward depth for the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Ryan Gilbert
