PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Flyers added a right shot who can play center and wing to their bottom six on day 1 of free agency.
On Wednesday, GM Danny Briere signed 34-year-old Noel Acciari to 2-year contract. The deal carries a $2.8 million average annual value.
Acciari is no stranger to Philadelphia after spending the last three seasons in Pittsburgh. His latest being his best finishing with 25-points – 13 goals and 12 assists – in 67 games.
After trading Garnet Hathaway to the Florida Panthers last week, a new veteran presence in the bottom six was needed. One that fit better as the Flyers looked to take another step this season.
His ability to play center and wing should find him in a role similar to Luke Glendening down the stretch. That role gelled with Sean Couturier on the 4th line and played a pivotal part down the stretch.
The Flyers needed a right shot center to offset their left shot heavy center group. Sean Couturier, Christian Dvorak, Trevor Zegras, and Noah Cates all are left shots.
Acciari owns a career 51.4% win percentage in the faceoff dot and was second best on the Penguins last season at 52.0%.
He will also be a big boost to the Flyers 22nd ranked penalty kill. His 173-minutes of penalty kill time and 62-blocks were both second most amongst forwards on the Penguins last season.
The Flyers have not budged on their rebuild plans and continue to do it the right way. Acciari is seen as another veteran to push the younger players to take the next step.
In addition to Acciari, the Flyers also re-signed Carl Grundstrom to a 1-year $1-million contract on Tuesday. His deal is seen more as an extra forward to float between the National Hockey League and American Hockey League.
