Last week, rumours sparked that the Ottawa Senators are desperately trying to re-sign Shane Pinto. However, with their current cap restraints, it is proving to be quite the challenge.
Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period reported on Saturday, multiple teams are interested in taking on Matthieu Joseph and his contract. Among those teams are the Philadelphia Flyers, who are looking to be asking for a high asset in return.
Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts Podcast;
“I think they’ve (Flyers) been going back and forth with Ottawa about Mathieu Joseph, for one thing I do think Philly likes the player. I’ve heard that Philly actually sees a role and a use for Joseph there… that’s good news for both Joseph and the Sens.” Elliotte Friedman said. “I don’t have it confirmed so I’m not going to say who it is, I do think Philly targeted a specific prospect and Ottawa said no to that… that’s what Philly has said, look, if you want to do business here, the price is going to be high. We’ll see what Ottawa does.”
That unnamed prospect the Flyers are targeting has been revealed to be Tyler Boucher, as talks continue.
The original deal between the Flyers and Senators, offered by GM Danny Briere, would see Shane Pinto in the orange and black. Now the Sens are trying to keep Pinto and open up cap space in order to do so. Things have taken a turn, and the offer that was originally on the table seems to change daily. Philadelphia Flyers have spoken with the Senators about Joseph and are believed to be asking for a high-priced asset in return. Multiple sources have told TFP’s David Pagnotta the Flyers are interested in 2021 10th overall draft pick Tyler Boucher, but it appears Senators GM Pierre Dorion is still not completely sold.
“PHI have spoken with OTT about Joseph and are believed to be one of the teams asking for a high-priced asset to accommodate a trade. PHI are interested in forward Tyler Boucher,”
Taking a look at Tyler’s production when healthy is nothing to marvel at. In 2021-22 at Boston University he was held to 3 points in 17 games. In the following seasons with the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL, he tailed 31 points in a 45 game span.
Family Contention in Philadelphia:
Tyler’s last name sound familiar? That’s because he is the son of former Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher who is currently a game analyst on national TNT games and Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Growing up, Tyler attended Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and played major junior hockey for the Tri-City Americans.
Injury Prone:
The Scottsdale, Arizona native has had his fair share of injuries, shoulder injury cut last season short. Then he was a late scratch from the Senators roster for the rookie series due to tweaking his groin during testing Wednesday.
Belleville coach David Bell noted Boucher should be fine and is recovering;
“Just to be pre-cautious, we’re going to keep him out for this rookie camp,” David Bell said. “We fully expect him to be ready for main camp. He had skated all week, but just in fitness testing something tweaked so he will not go.”
Tyler Boucher has now been kept out of the Senators starting lineup ahead of both preseason games against Toronto. Which raises questions regarding his health or if the Sens are keeping him out of the lineup, well trade talks continue.
Salary Cap Situation:
Currently, the Ottawa Senators sit just under $121,000 in cap space. As for the Flyers, they currently sit at $867,905 in cap, awaiting more with Ryan Ellis on the LTIR. According to Cap Friendly.
Danny Briere wants to make this deal work. The Flyers brass are willingly offering other options for the Senators’ front office to consider. Moving on from Pinto, rather trying to push another deal in order to free up space.
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