Each day from now until July 1, the day free agency begins, Tom Dougherty and Tim Riday will profile some of the NHL's top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Flyers.
Mike Green, defenseman
Age: 29
Height: 6-1
Weight: 207
Last team: Washington Capitals
2014-15 cap hit: $6.083 million
Scouting report
An offensive-minded defenseman, Green is a smooth skater and a natural point producer. His quick wrists and heavy shot from the point give him more than enough ability to quarterback a power play. He won't shy away from contact, either. He is, however, mistake-prone in his own end. Consistency, discipline and durabilty have also been issues as of late for the longtime Capital.
Green played five full seasons at the junior level with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL and was selected by the Washington Capitals with the 29th-overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft.
The two-time James Norris Trophy finalist emerged as an elite offensive blueliner in 2007-08, when he recorded 18 goals and 38 assists in 82 games for the Caps. He scored a career-high 31 goals in 2008-09 and followed that up with a 76-point season in 2009-10.
Green also set an NHL record for longest consecutive goal scoring streak by a defenseman in 2008-09, when he scored in eight straight games.
In all, Green has collected 113 goals, 247 assists and 416 penalty minutes in 575 career NHL games — all with Washington. He also has nine markers and 26 helpers in 71 appearances in the playoffs.
NHL
Dougherty's projection
I'm on board with Mike Green only because he's known to drive a Vespa. For hockey reasons, I'm going to pass. He's a major liability in his own end. The Flyers don't need that. Green wants to remain in Washington. Let the Capitals re-sign him. Or let another team ink him. But Flyers general manager Ron Hextall won't.
Riday's projection
Nope. Not a good idea. At all.
Aside from the fact that the Flyers already have an overload of defensemen already under contract, Green comes with too much of a risk.
The biggest downside with Green is that he too often plays like a fourth forward on the ice. Sure, it leads to more offensive opportunities and keeps the opposition on its toes. But then there's the whole defense thing. Green doesn't play it. For as talented as he is, the 10-year veteran is a severe detriment in the defensive zone.
New Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said he'd like to have puck-moving blueliners who will jump up and contribute on the rush. Green fits that bill and would give the team another threat on the power play, but at what cost? He's going to get a hefty contract.
Shedding salary on defense is more of a priority for Hextall. Signing Green would do nothing to alleviate that. Consider this a hard no.