Last season, Flyer Dan Carcillo spent a considerable amount of time in the second half of the season skating on a line with Simon Gagne and captain Mike Richards. Potting 12 goals and 10 assists, there was some intrigue as to whether the 5′-11″ agitator could be more than just a fourth line role player if given more ice time.
The Flyers didnt seem too excited to re-sign him, though, as they signed enforcer Jody Shelley at the beginning of free agency and tended Carcillo a very modest contract as a result. Carcillo initially elected to go to arbitration, but acquiesced just to ensure he had an NHL roster spot for the 2010-11 season.
Unfortunately for “Carbomb,” he has found himself as a healthy scratch or has been relegated to fourth line minutes for the majority of the season. That’s not to say he deserves either, but it’s the reality of where coach Peter Laviolette sees him fitting into the line-up.
Carcillo, currently on a 1-year, $1.075 million contract, will likely earn somewhere between $700K and $1 million if he heads to free agency. As the Flyers will have to be creative with the salary cap next season, it seems unlikely that they will retain his services, not unlike how they let Arron Asham walk at the end of last season.
The acquisition of 23 year-old Tom Sestito at the trade deadline further suggests that the organization is looking ahead to fill his position with a cheaper replacement. In nine games with the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, Sestito tallied 2 goals and 2 assists and was a -4.
His 192 penalty minutes with the Springfield Falcons have him ranked 6th in the AHL in PIM. Adirondack Phantom Zac “Liability” Rinaldo is ranked 2nd.
Sestito will likely only cost the Flyers $600K in cap space next season.
I’ve grown to like Carcillo since he came to Philadelphia in 2009. He’s done all that’s been asked of him and more, considering he was acquired just so the team could dump Scottie Upshall’s salary in the desert.
I wouldn’t mind seeing hm continue his career here (as I’m sure he would too), but the logistics suggest that his final days are approaching.
