The trade deadline is about a month away and the Flyers got an early start when they dealt Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee away last week. Now the focus shifts to the rest of the roster and whether or not Danny Briere has any more tricks up his sleeve.
Of the top remaining trade chips on the Flyers’ roster, which are likely to stay and which are likely to go? Let’s make some predictions!
Scott Laughton
At this point there’s probably a better chance of a meteor hitting Earth and wiping out all life on the planet than there is the chance the Flyers trade Scott Laughton, but on the list of players that should *theoretically* be on the trade block on a normal team, he would be high on the list.
The main reason for keeping Laughton is the exact reason the franchise refused to part ways with at any point during the last few years- he’s a respected leader in the room and the de facto captain, even if he wasn’t actually awarded the “C.” It has nothing to do with his on-ice production or level of play. The organization is hell bent on establishing a culture and if Laughton fits that mold then he is going to stick around.
Decision: Stays
Cam York
The 24-year-old defenseman is a pending restricted free agent this summer and he hasn’t exactly been at his best during a contract year. Torts has shown some frustration with the guy and the fanbase is turning on him as well.
There’s a strong likelihood the Flyers keep York, but if they were to make a blockbuster trade for a bonafide top center, York is one of the best trade chips on the team to make it happen. This kind of decision feels more like an offseason move rather than a deadline deal, so he’s probably safe to finish out the season, but don’t expect the trade rumors to stop until he puts pen to paper on an extension.
Decision: Stays
Rasmus Ristolainen
Ristolainen’s strong season has boosted his trade value, but it’s also seemingly boosted the Flyers’ intent to keep him for their own potential playoff run…. but as the season creeps on and the playoffs become less and less likely despite still being within a wildcard spot mathematically, one has to wonder if they do ultimately pull the trigger on a trade.
The biggest problem here is the fact he still has two years left on his contract with a $5.1 million cap hit. So they have to A) find a team that will take the entirety of his contract and B) find a team that will pay up to do so. It’s a double whammy and if the Flyers can’t check both categories it may just be best to keep him until at least the offseason when teams have a bit clearer of a financial picture.
Decision: Goes
Noah Cates
We’ve mused on the future of Noah Cates recently, but as his hot streak cools off even though he’s the team’s de facto top center at the moment, it doesn’t make predicting what they do with him any easier.
Considering the Flyers already traded Morgan Frost, leaving them even more shorthanded at center than they already were, maybe they keep the pending RFA until the offseason and deal his rights at the draft. It’s possible they could also re-sign him which may not be the worst decision in the world either, provided he can stay at his peak more often than not.
Decision: Stays
Egor Zamula
For some reason, John Tortorella really loves Egor Zamula. He’s one of the only younger guys on the roster that gets multiple chances to prove himself and not immediately punished if he makes a mistake. He does have one more year left on his contract, but an overcrowded blue line with Emil Andrae knocking at the door means something is going to have to give sooner or later. Would there be a lot of interest in the 24-year-old individually at the deadline? Probably not. Maybe he’s be a decent piece as part of a bigger trade though.
Decision: Stays
Erik Johnson
Johnson is the only pending unrestricted free agent on the entire main roster (until they added Andrei Kuzmenko.) Though at this point he’s only played four games since November 20 and is serving as the locker room leader. Nobody is going to want him and the Flyers probably wouldn’t consider trading him anyway.
Decision: Stays
Bobby Brink
For a long time it seemed as though Bobby brink was the top name on the chopping block if the Flyers were to ever make a move. Then he was included in Dan Hilferty’s letter to the fans, and Briere mentioned him as one of the players that has taken a big step forward this season. He’s still struggling to overcome the Tortorella effect, but getting praise from the GM and governor of the team means they’re theoretically invested in him for the foreseeable future.
But it is hockey, saying one thing then doing the opposite tends to be the norm. If the Flyers look to make an upgrade, Brink could very well be a throw-in, but considering they’ve got plenty of bigger fish to fry over the coming months, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brink flew under the radar either.
Decision: Stays
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyera Fan)
photo credit: Getty Images
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