If things don’t go as the Philadelphia Flyers hope, releasing Egor Zamula could provide some salary cap relief. Despite starting the season without him, the Flyers have leaned on Emil Andrei for defense and have not looked back.
This choice came with consequences as both Egor Zamula and Adam Ginning, who were part of the NHL’s opening roster, have been sent back to the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Unlike Ginning, Zamula was a more established NHL player in recent seasons, but a series of underwhelming performances led to his separation from the Flyers, possibly for good.
NHL insider Elliott Friedman shared that Zamula’s representatives have offered the Flyers a mutual contract termination option. However, the Flyers are hoping to trade the struggling 25-year-old defenseman to gain some assets. Friedman reported on Sportsnet’s “Saturday Headlines” that Zamula, who was placed on waivers earlier this year, has a contract with a $1.7 million cap hit for this season and next. His agent, who also represents Alex Texier, has released him so he can sign as a free agent with Montreal.
Friedman further added, “I believe this offer is there to do that. They’d be interested in a lower number as well. Philadelphia wants to trade for a player who can contribute either in the AHL or the NHL later this year, but Zamula remains a name to watch since he has cleared waivers and is still an NHL-caliber defenseman. It’s just not aligning with Philadelphia’s current cap situation.”
Zamula will become a restricted free agent at season’s end, and his $1.7 million cap hit is a luxury for a team looking to pick up a depth defender on waivers, especially if aiming to contend. Presently, the Flyers save $1.15 million by keeping the 6-foot-3 Russian in the AHL, but a trade or acceptance of the contract release offer could clear the full $1.7 million from their books.
Zamula’s departure seemed imminent after head coach Rick Tocchet urged him to improve his pace in preseason, which unfortunately never happened. Reports indicate the Calgary Flames hold trade rights to Zamula.
Fan Take: This development is significant for Flyers fans and hockey followers because it highlights how cap management can impact team decisions and player careers. Zamula’s situation underscores the tough balance teams face between talent potential and salary constraints, which can alter a player’s trajectory and the team’s future dynamics.
