Three Trades to Build the Flyers’ Forwards

So often we like to play GM of our favorite teams, so why not try my hypothetical GM hand in two parts? This first part will cover how I would navigate the forward group.  Something important to keep in mind is that the theoretical moves I present here are not just to “free up cap space” but to help with what the Flyers front office is calling a rebuild for the future.  Here are three moves I propose:

Trade Ivan Fedotov, Nic Deslauriers, and a 2025 third round pick to ANA for Ryan Strome

The reason why Anaheim may do this is because there aren’t many teams that can afford to take on Strome’s two years left after this.  This trade would save the Ducks a little bit of money off the cap.  The Flyers are in desperate need of Centers, both now and in the future.  Strome is a very competent two-way player that also can put the puck in the net.  The Flyers also have a logjam at goalie and this would help alleviate that.

Trade Tyson Foerster, a 2025 sixth and seventh to SEA for Oliver Bjorkstrand

Bjorkstran has one year left on his deal.  He’s putting up about half a point per game this season.  I know that many Flyers fans have (and had) high hopes for Foerster but I’m not sure how the Flyers front office feels.  Bjorkstan gives the Flyers an option at forward and a mentor for the upcoming season.  The Flyers could also flip Bjorkstran in the offseason if he isn’t fitting in with the culture.

Trade Scott Laughton for a first or two seconds

This trade is hard to swallow as Laughts has been a staple for the Flyers for years now.  He is one of the few players I can ever recall who shifted disappointing original expectations as a first-round pick into becoming an easy fan favorite.  I didn’t put a team to which I would trade him because I think the Flyers should get the best offer.  Considering all he can bring to the ice and the locker room, the Flyers should get a decent haul for him.

You may agree or disagree with these trades, but one thing we can all agree on is the forwards need a shakeup and the Flyers cannot just sit on their hands at the deadline again.  While the Flyers do have some cap space next year, they have contracts they will have to give out as well.  We shall see how the cards unfold.

By: Josh Shuster (@flyguyjosh91)

photo credit: Getty Images