With trade rumours resuming, the Philadelphia Flyers are back in familiar territory, this time more eager.
General manager Danny Briere is more than willing to take action to set the foundation for the future, according to TSN Insider Darren Dreger. The Flyers continue to “listen on basically every position — not every player, but every position.”
Drawing attention back to Sherwood Park native, Carter Hart.
Hart is on pace to have his best season since his rookie year in 2018-19. He is drawing a lot of attention from Canadian teams while posting a 2.47 goals against average and a .915 save percentage in 11 starts. Not to mention, at only 25 years old, Hart has 200 career games under his belt, and there are few goalies his age who have the track record Hart has, making him a rare commodity.
Danny Briere and the Flyers front office are focused on making some moves to better position the organization for success in the future.
They’re interested and eager in becoming a wheeler and a dealer, but that’s not because they’re trying to sell off assets, It’s because they want to build a stronger foundation for the future, and they’re willing to listen basically … on every position – not every player, but every position. They feel like they’ve got the assets to move.
Darren Dreger on Insider Trading
Dreger believes the Flyers will look to move some of their pending unrestricted free agents, Nick Seeler (30), Sean Walker (29), and Marc Staal (36). All of whom are blueliners. In 2022–2023, Seeler had a strong year, and this season, Walker is performing better than expected. Making for two well-rounded trade chips. Although Marc Staal hasn’t performed to the club’s expectations, he is currently taking on a leadership role.
Though Nick Seeler has experienced more difficulties this season than last, he is still a well-disciplined defenseman who could make for a strong solid third-pairing role on a team lacking depth.
The aging 30-year-old might be a good fit for the Ottawa Senators. GM Danny Briere and Ottawa have already been in talks previously regarding Tyler Bouchard, Mathieu Joseph, and Shane Pinto, plus the Flyers are more than happy to assist teams facing cap issues if necessary.
Despite being viewed as a “cap dump” in a three-way trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings during the summer, Sean Walker has performed admirably. Fans would prefer to sell him at the trade deadline given his current unexpected production. Though if he keeps up this play, he might be among the Flyers’ best assets come March, the Flyers simply won’t have the cap space to re-sign him.
After 2024, the defensive core of the Leafs will be completely gone. Out of the eight defensemen for the Leafs, five will be unrestricted free agents and one restricted free agent.
I’m looking at a couple of veteran d-men, I’m looking at Nick Seeler and Sean Walker… they’re in the 20+ range in terms of the minutes they can consume, as depth d-men, I think Danny Briere is going to continue to get the interest on those 2 guys.
Darren Dreger on Insider Trading
Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman is also keen on Sean Walker drawing in a lot of interest from teams, especially in the offseason if the Flyers chose not to re-sign the soon-to-be free-agent.
Sean Walker’s really impressed in Philadelphia. The Flyers have time to figure out what to do with the free-agent-to-be, but if they don’t extend him, there’s going to be plenty of interest.
Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts
I should note that Morgan Frost continues to see little to no ice time, being scratched for half of the clubs 20 games this season. The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens were poking around in the offseason. TFP also mentioned that other teams have recently asked about Frost.
Joel Farabee, Owen Tippett, and Bobby Brink are among the nine players in the Philadelphia Flyers’ core who are 24 years of age or younger. Carter Hart, who I mentioned earlier, is 25 years old. The team’s top scorer, 26-year-old Travis Konecny, is at the forefront of trade rumours right now. 27-year-old defenseman Travis Sanheim is signed to a tight 8-year contract that could cause the Flyers inconvenience depending on his production over the coming years.
Daniel Briere traded Ivan Provorov for some premium draft picks during the offseason, which helped spark the rebuild. In addition, the Flyers dealt Kevin Hayes, bought out defenseman Tony DeAngelo, and long-time Flyer James van Riemsdyk, walked in free agency.
Many were shocked by the Flyers’ strong start to the season under head coach John Tortorella. Since November 10, the Flyers have outscored opponents 24–14 and are tied for first place in wins.
The club is currently 10-8-1. 16th in the National Hockey League and 4th in the Metropolitan. playing above the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, and Edmonton Oilers, three struggling teams. The only question is, if this production continues, will it be in vain if they are just a bubble team and harm their draft stock?
Danny Briere and the Flyers’ management are eager to acquire talent through trades rather than just the draft. Having no problem moving assets to make room for better ones. The goal is to win—not right now, but in a few years. Two to three. Until everything is in place for the Flyers to compete again, Danny Briere intends to continue building for the future.
While Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, teams are currently assessing how the season has begun. Giving clubs the chance to plan and determine what gaps need to be filled.
Anticipate the Flyers to be active in a variety of trade rumours as the season progresses.
By: Dylan Robillard (@DylanRobillard_)
brotherlypuck.com 