NHL Free Agency: Philadelphia Flyers' 8 Toughest Offseason Contract Decisions

Like every team in the NHL, the Philadelphia Flyers have some big offseason questions to answer.

The Flyers have unrestricted free-agents that have to be re-signed or let go, they have restricted free agents looking to restructure their contracts and they have to fill holes that will develop as times moves along.

While the team is looking at the short-term playoff picture, the management has been looking forward for years.

While the Flyers have a lot of youth that could try to make a push for the starting lineup next season, they will need to re-sign at least half of these players. Enjoy!

8. Sean O'Donnell

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Sean O'Donnell #6 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Flyers signed 38-year-old veteran defenseman Sean O'Donnell during the offseason to shore up the defensive group.

They signed him for $1.3 million for this season and he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

While O’Donnell has played solid, the Flyers have a few defensive prospects that would make less many and provide the same quality of play. Namely Erik Gustafsson.

7. Daniel Carcillo

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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 22: Daniel Carcillo #13 of the Philadelphia Flyers falls to the ice playing the puck against Derek Morris #53 of the Phoenix Coyotes on February 22, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Coyotes defeat the

Daniel Carcillo is an agitator and damn good at what he does. He is starting to improve on keeping out of unnecessary trouble, but he still puts the team in bad positions too much.

He is a restricted free agent this offseason and making a trade that would send him elsewhere could bring back picks and alleviate cap pressure.

The Phantoms have a few players like Mike Testwuide who could fill in if Carcillo is moved.

6. Jody Shelley

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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 22: Jody Shelley #45 of the Philadelphia Flyers is escorted off the ice after fighting Nolan Yonkman (not pictured) of the Phoenix Coyotes during the second period on February 22, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pe

Jody Shelley proved this season that Paul Holmgren made the right decision in bringing Shelley into the organization.

Not only does he add grit, but he adds a leadership quality that is always important.

While Shelley makes $1.1 million every year, the price is worth it for the intangibles that he brings to the ice.

The biggest question here is whether or not the surgery he had to repair a broken orbital bone will affect his ability to fight. If that’s the case, the team may think about moving him.

5. Ian Laperriere

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PHILADELPHIA - JUNE 04: Tomas Kopecky #82 of the Chicago Blackhawks faces off against Ian Laperriere #14 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Four of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Wachovia Center on June 4, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo b

There is arguably not a tougher man in the NHL than Ian Laperriere.

The problem is that he was severely injured two seasons ago and may never play again.

If the Flyers could convince Laperriere to retire, they could save the $1.67 million he is due annually.

While his presence has been missed, it would be for the best when it comes to health for Laperriere if he retires.

4. Andreas Nodl

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Andreas Nodl #15 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates a goal with teammates during an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul

The 2010-2011 season has been Andreas Nodl’s coming out party for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Nodl has 22 points, is a plus 16 and has added 105 hits to add in all aspects of the game. He is solid in his own zone and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty defensively.

Andreas Nodl is a restricted free agent at the end of this season, and he will be trying to restructure the deal.

3. Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Goalie Brian Boucher #33 of the Philadelphia Flyers makes save during an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Get

GM Paul Holmgren has a solid rookie in Sergei Bobrovsky, but beyond that there are serious questions.

While getting rid of Michael Leighton would free up $1.5 million annually, there is a bigger decision with Brian Boucher.

Boucher is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, but if the Flyers could get him to agree to an annual salary of around the $925,000 he made last season, he would be a great asset.

2. Darroll Powe

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Darroll Powe #36 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Darroll Powe is a blue collar player who doesn’t mind rolling up his sleeves and getting dirty defensively.

Powe is a bowling ball on the ice, accumulating 184 hits and leading the Flyers in that category.

While the Flyers will be strapped for cash, the team needs to address Powe’s restricted free agent status.

1. Ville Leino

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals is beaten for a goal by Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the shootout of an NHL hockey game at the Wells Fargo Center on March 22, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

To say that Ville Leino out performed his contract is an understatement.

This year, Leino made $800,000. He also has 17 goals and 32 assists to go along with his cheap price tag.

While he will most certainly get a raise at the end of the season when he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the Flyers have to be smart to not overpay him and hurt themselves cap wise later on.

Ville Leino has a great chemistry with his teammates and the team would be wise to keep him on for the long haul. He would be my top priority if I was running the organization.