Flyers cut ties with Oskar Lindblom, just two years after overcoming cancer

The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have bought out the final year of forward Oskar Lindblom's $3 million annual contract.

The Flyers now save themselves the full $3 million of Lindblom's salary, an anoumt that they will presumably use to pursue top level free agents tomorrow... maybe like local kid Johnny Gaudreau.

"This was a very difficult decision to make and one that we spent a lot of time examining," said Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher in a prepared statement. "No one can question the desire, will and strength to overcome all that Oskar has been through off the ice in order to return to the game he loves. Further, Oskar's commitment to his teammates and impact in our room has been immeasurable. He is truly an inspiration to us all and he will always remain a special part of the Philadelphia Flyers family. We wish him all the best as he continues his NHL career.

Lindblom, of course, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, in 2019 and fought for two years to overcome the disease. He was diagnosed as cancer-free in July of 2020. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy as the NHL's player who "best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey" in 2021. 

The former 5th round pick has recorded 50 goals and 47 assists for 90 points in 263 career regular season games with the Flyers. He'll now become an unrestricted free agent once the market opens up tomorrow afternoon and he should generate plenty of interest from around the league.

As for the Flyers, it's believed that they're in hot pursuit of pending unrestricted free agent Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames. Gaudreau is from nearby Carney's Point, NJ and grew up a Flyers fan in the 1990s and 2000s. There have long been rumors of Gaudreau wanting to return to his hometown Flyers and with him now finally hitting free agent age and with the Flyers standing by with the requisite cap space, the door is wide open for Johnny Hockey to sign in Philly. Stay tuned.