Each day from now until July 1, the day NHL free agency begins, CSNPhilly.com producers Tom Dougherty, Jordan Hall and Greg Paone will profile some of the league’s top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Flyers.
P.A. Parenteau, right wing
Age: 33
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200
Last team: Toronto Maple Leafs
2015-16 cap hit: $1.5 million
Scouting report
Parenteau was drafted with the 264th overall pick in the 2001 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks back when the draft went nine rounds and he's enjoyed a relatively productive career.
The 6-foot right winger has played eight seasons with five different teams, with Toronto being his last club. His most successful seasons came in 2010-11 and 2011-12 with the Islanders.
During the '11-12 campaign, Parenteau set career highs in assists (49) and points (67). He used that season to cash in during free agency, signing a four-year, $16 million deal with the Colorado Avalanche, but he never found much success out in Colorado.
Parenteau spent two seasons with the Avalanche, playing in all 48 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and 55 games in 2013-14. He registered 76 points in two seasons with Colorado before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2014.
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In Montreal, he was hindered by injuries and found himself as a healthy scratch on occasion. In 56 games with the Habs, Parenteau had eight goals and 22 points.
Last summer, he inked a one-year deal with the rebuilding Maple Leafs and enjoyed his best season since 2012-13, his first in Colorado. Parenteau netted 20 markers, tying a career high, and 41 points in 77 games with Toronto last season.
Projection
I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in Parenteau at the right price, but he's not a great fit.
He made an affordable $1.5 million last season and scored 20 goals again. If the Flyers are looking for a scoring winger on the cheap, he could be an option.
The problem with Parenteau is, he's easy to knock off the puck and is a one-dimensional player. That doesn't sound like he would get along with head coach Dave Hakstol.
Parenteau is a proven playmaker who's produced points at this level. He could help on the power play and when he has the puck, he controls it well.
It depends on how much general manager Ron Hextall is willing to pay for scoring. If he wants a more complete player, Parenteau is not the answer.
But if he wants to bring in a veteran on a one- or two-year contract with a cap hit under $2 million, then Parenteau could be attractive.
Ultimately, I don't see Parenteau signing with the orange and black.
