Rumors have circulated today that fourth liner Adam Mair may attend the Flyers training camp next week. He appears to have been invited, but has not decided if he will attend yet. Dave Isaac of Philly Sports Daily tweeted today that Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren stated, “We do not officially know [if Adam Mair will be in camp] and will not comment until then.”
Mair, 31, spent seven seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before joining the New Jersey Devils in 2010. His best season in the NHL occurred in 2008-09, when he potted 8 goals and 19 points. Over 65 games last season, Mair scored 1 goal and 4 points with a -16 plus/minus rating. In his defense, the Devils as a whole were awful for most of the season.
Mair is characterized as an “energy” player, but he doesn’t fill any particular need for this team. He doesn’t contribute as a penalty killing or powerplay specialist and is average in his faceoff abilities. A tryout offer has no risks, but unless he blows through camp like a wrecking ball, the likelihood of the Flyers making contract space for him is limited.
I’m still crossing my fingers that veteran center John Madden will be extended a tryout offer. Madden, 38, can consistently put up 22 or more points per season and has been healthy enough to play at least 76 games in each of the last four seasons. He was on the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks squad that out-talented the Flyers in 6 games and spent last season with the Minnesota Wild.
In general, it’s not that the team “needs” another third/fourth line center. Brayden Schenn basically won that position before camp started. The concern would be whether or not he is capable of shouldering the pressure as a rookie in a city with high expectations. Having a veteran like Madden (over Mair and Michael Nylander) on the roster would provide Schenn the best support for his transition into the NHL.
