Flyers extend MacEwen, avoid arbitration

Zack MacEwen was one of the bright spots to a lowly Philadelphia Flyers season. He became a fan favorite. A waiver acquisition, MacEwen fought for his teammates on the fourth line.

Before the official start of the off-season, the sentiments were that MacEwen deserved an extension with the Flyers. It’s not a hot take; it was the appropriate one. Then, Chuck Fletcher signed Nicolas Deslauriers. MacEwen filed for arbitration.

On Aug. 2, MacEwen agreed to a one-year, $925k deal. Both parties avoided arbitration.

Last season, the Vancouver Canucks placed MacEwen on waivers.

“For me, coming here from Vancouver, not really know what to expect and to be welcomed in that manner; it’s something I don’t take lightly. I couldn’t be more appreciative of the fans here,” MacEwen said. 

John Tortorella wants a hard team. The fourth line, if anything at all, will be physical. Deslauriers is a brawler, as is MacEwen. An identity becomes clear with these two playing the wing. Fletcher has his version of “the Bash Brothers.”

Overall, the extension isn’t surprising. MacEwen received a qualifying offer from Philadelphia on July 11th, 2022. Instead of a third party deciding the salary, this contract became a mutual agreement. The Flyers were always interested in keeping MacEwen and did.

Last season, MacEwen accepted the Gene Hart Memorial Award. As the name dictates, MacEwen played with the most heart. He’ll be an easy mold into what Tortorella asks. Earning this honor from the Philadelphia fans is a tangible sign of how much the city appreciates his brand of hockey. The expected unity with Deslauriers on the fourth line could spark with the latest regime.

At the end of this one-year term, MacEwen will expire as a restricted free agent. A season ago, MacEwen totaled 9 points (3G,6A) in 75 games. Defensively, he didn’t play poorly, despite beginning in less-than-ideal situations more often than not.