FHN Today: Keith Yandle makes best of Florida Panthers buyout

Obviously no player wants to have their contract bought out, but when the Florida Panthers parted ways with Keith Yandle, he tried to keep things positive.

When Florida bought out the final two years of Yandle’s seven-year contract, it gave him the opportunity to become a free agent. He signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

“I thought it was best case for me. Obviously, when you get bought out, it’s one of those things where it throws a little wrench in your life,” Yandle said in a story published at PhiladelphiaHockeyNow.com.

“I knew for me, I’d be able to go into a good team and a low cap hit and be able to help somebody out. I thought that was the biggest thing for me is looking at the bright side of it and put myself in a good situation. Ultimately, that’s what I did.”

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GM Chuck Fletcher made a lot of moves in Philadelphia this offseason and adding Yandle should add some value. Yandle is expected to be the Flyers’ third-pair left defenseman and run their power play. In his five seasons with the Panthers, Yandle scored the fourth-most power play points among all NHL defensemen.

“Obviously, with Kevin Hayes and Keith Yandle, teams have been really trying to recruit him since he was bought out from Florida,’’ Fletcher said.

“There was a lot of interest in Keith. Certainly, Kevin was an important part of selling the virtues of coming to the Philadelphia Flyers. We’re very pleased that Keith chose to come here over many other competitive offers and teams.”

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

GM Bill Zito spent the money he saved on the Yandle savings pretty quickly, signing Anthony Duclair and Gus Forsling to extensions.

He also was able to extend Carter Verhaeghe a year before he was set to become a restricted free agent. Looks like a fair deal for both sides. (FHN)

— The battle for the final forward spot at training camp got a new competitor as the Panthers signed veteran Zac Dalpe to a two-year deal. Dalpe’s contract is a two-way so he’ll more than likely end up in Charlotte at some point — if not the start of the season. (FHN)

— Recapping what the Panthers did on the first day of free agency. (FHN)

— Scott Burnside visits Connecticut and hangs out with Spencer Knight. (TA)

AROUND THE NHL

Evander Kane has been accused by his wife of gambling on his own games and tanking games to win bets as she went off on Instagram on Saturday night. (SJHN) 

— To celebrate Evgeni Malkin’s 35th birthday, here are five of his best moments with the Pens.(PHN) 

— The Maple Leafs keep adding Bruins, first Ondrej Kase then Nick Ritchie.(BHN)

— Looking at who is going to challenge for roster spots with the Capitals. (WHN)

— Too bad everyone: Tyler Bertuzzi is staying in The D. (DHN)