What is Going On With Cam York?

Philadelphia Flyers' Cam York plays during an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Free agency opens in less than two weeks, and Flyers defenseman Cam York is still not under contract. Entering the offseason, York was widely regarded as the team’s top RFA, and is expected to get the biggest pay day of all the Flyers restricted free agents.

While some (at least I) may have thought the team would prioritize locking up a player like York, the team opted to resign Tyson Foerster, followed by Noah Cates, with York and Jakob Pelletier remaining unsigned.

There has been little discussion regarding York and his contract negotiations. The last reports came from Anthony Di Marco, who reported that the Flyers could still be interested in the long-term deal that York wants. Di Marco said something similar to Travis Sanheim’s $6.25 million AAV would be something the Flyers would consider.

Di Marco also notes that the team is not itching to move him either.

It all sounds like normal contract negotiations, but here is where things get interesting.

The team was linked to Nic Hague earlier in the offseason. Big whoop, Hague would be competing for bottom-pair minutes, and would not be gunning for big money.

Most recently, the Flyers were linked to New York Islanders blueliner Alex Romanov by Stefen Rosner. This one makes me begin to think.

While no trade is even close to imminent, it has to make you wonder about what is going on with Cam York if the team is inquiring about comparable players.

Why the Romanov Rumors Make No Sense

Here is the short and sweet.

The Flyers have their top-four, which will likely consist of Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Nick Seeler, and Jamie Drysdale next season, with Rasmus Ristolainen getting back in the mix eventually.

On the left side, the side which Romanov plays, the Flyers have York, Seeler, and the bottom pair duo of Egor Zamula and Emil Andrae. If the Flyers are looking to go after Romanov, it would be for a top-four role. So, does that mean Cam York’s future is in question?

Now, the simple answer could be that they would bump Seeler down to the third pair. That is very possible. However, I don’t see the Flyers committing $13+ million in one offseason to two top-four RFA LHD.

If the Flyers are inquiring about Romanov, to me, it screams York replacement.

That said, unless the York’s negotiations are not going well, the Romanov rumors make zero sense to me.

Could Cam York be On the Trade Block

The end of the 2024/25 season was very turbulent for Cam York. However, regardless of what happened between York and John Tortorella that led to the bench boss’s dismissal, the team seemed to stand behind York.

I see no reason why they would not be trying to bring York back, or have not already, unless they are gauging his value on the trade market.

York is still very young and is a strong defender. He may have lost his offensive touch, but he is very much a No. 2 or 3 defenseman already. Those have value across the league, and with the Flyers actively trying to trade up in the draft, it might make sense that York could be a part of a potential package.

I do want to preface by saying I am team keep York. However, certain scenarios just make sense. York would very much be a part of a “king’s ransom” return for the No. 2 overall pick if the Flyers want to move up for Michael Misa.

A bit of an out-of-the-box idea, but the Detroit Red Wings are rumored to be looking for a young, but NHL-ready top-four defender, which is a bill that York fits. If the right player falls, maybe the blueliner could be a part of a package for the No. 13 pick.

There is no reason to believe that York is actually being shopped. But, to play devil’s advocate here, it is a lot easier to trade the rights to a player without a contract than a player with a cap hit above $6 million.

With still York not having a contract, and the Flyers looking for other defensemen, this has become an odd situation.

If York Makes it to Free Agency, It’s Not the End of the World

Before I wrap this up, it seems like an important reminder to share that even if he remains unsigned until free agency, it’s not the end of the world.

The Flyers will still be able to re-sign him, even if he makes it to free agency. If a team decides to make an offer and York agrees, the Flyers have the right to match it and retain him. Or, if a team makes an offer that is too rich for the Flyers, then he walks. But, the Flyers would get the RFA compensation.

Based on Di Marco’s report, York would likely fall somewhere in the $6-$6.5 million range. That would return a first and a third-round pick to the Flyers. If a team goes above $7,020,113, then the Flyers would receive a first, second, and third-round pick. However, I don’t see that happening.

Needless to say, even if July 1st comes around and York still is not under contract, it should not be time to sound the alarms. This has just become a strange situation.