Keith Yandle heading to the Philadelphia Flyers

Keith Yandle has found his new home after being bought out by the Florida Panthers. According to national reports and first by NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes, the former Florida defenseman will sign with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.

Yandle, 34, was bought out of the final two years of his contract with the Panthers — getting $8 million out of the deal.

Per Elliott Friedman of Sportsnet, Yandle will get a one-year contract worth $900,000 to join the new-look Flyers.

In the past few weeks, Philadelphia has acquired Rasmus Ristolainen from Buffalo, Ryan Ellis from Nashville and also traded Jakub Jake Voracek to Columbus for Cam Atkinson.

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Yandle had a cap hit of $6.35 million with the Panthers and had been a bottom pair defenseman for much of this season. 

Since joining the Panthers, Yandle’s 30 goals and 231 points rank eighth in the NHL amongst defensemen.

His specialty is on the power play where he could be a big asset for the Flyers.

Over the past five seasons, Yandle’s 114 power play points ranks fourth among all NHL defensemen.

Yandle ended the season by playing in his 922nd consecutive game which is 42 games away from tying the all-time record.

Although Yandle was scratched in three of Florida’s final four playoff games, that does not affect his consecutive games streak.

Yandle ended up playing five seasons with the Panthers after Florida acquired his negotiating rights for a sixth-round pick before the 2016 free agency period opened.

The choice of Philadelphia is not much of a surprise although it was always assumed that Yandle would end up back in his hometown of Boston with the Bruins.

When there were rumors that the Panthers were trying to get Yandle to waive his full no-movement clause, however, Philadelphia often popped up as a potential destination spot.