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.
Joel Ward, right wing
Age: 34
Height: 6-1
Weight: 226
Last team: Washington Capitals
2014-15 cap hit: $3 million
Scouting report
The quintessential team player, Ward is blessed with a big, strong frame and an industrious work ethic. If there's a loose puck in a corner, he'll either be the first skater to get to it or erase the player who beat him there. He's very good at making room for himself and always seems to be buzzing around the net. He tends to score in bunches, but game-to-game consistency is often a problem for the veteran winger. He could stand to shoot more, too.
Ward began his NHL career in the Minnesota Wild's system, primarily with the Houston Aeros. During his time in the minors, he developed into a solid two-way player and improved his point totals in each of his three years in the AHL.
In 2008, Ward signed with the Nashville Predators and made the team's opening-night roster out of training camp. He established himself as a reliable defensive forward but also became a quality utility scorer, registering 40 goals and 98 points in 223 games with the Preds.
After an impressive run in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, in which he recorded seven goals and 13 points in 12 games, the North York, Ontario native signed a four-year, $12 million contract with the Capitals as a free agent.
Ward had his best season as a professional in 2013-14, when he collected 24 goals and 25 assists in 82 games for the Caps. He also earned an invitation to represent Canada in the IIHF World Championship after the season and posted six goals and three assists in the tournament while playing mostly on the team's checking line.
NHL
Dougherty's projection
I like Ward. He's a good player. He plays wing. The Flyers need a wing. Desperately. But I don't know if Ward is a fit here. He's up there in age, and he's coming off a $3 million contract. He had an impressive playoff performance, something he's done often when he makes it to the postseason. He had an overtime winner to eliminate Boston in the playoffs in 2012. This year, he had a Game 7 goal against the Islanders and then added five points in the quarterfinals against the Rangers. If the Flyers were a little further along, I'd approve of signing Ward, but at the price he'll demand coupled with the Flyers' position, I see them passing.
Riday's projection
Flyers GM Ron Hextall said adding a skilled winger was on his "wish list" this offseason. When you look at this summer's crop of free agents, no name really pops out. Then there's Ward. He's a serviceable veteran who can move up and down the lineup and get you a point or two every other game. He's a natural leader, too. When he speaks, everyone around him listens. His dedication and passion for the game also seems to rub off on his teammates. Quite simply, he's a guy you want in your locker room. But at what cost? Ward will likely command a three- or four-year contract around the same, if not more, amount of money he earned in Washington. He'll have plenty of suitors, but when you factor in his age, production and price tag, I wouldn't expect Hextall to get in a bidding war.