As the clock keeps ticking towards the NHL trade deadline, Chuck Fletcher is faced with a daunting task of finding a Matt Niskanen replacement. One thing Fletcher and the Flyers know is that they need to shore up the backend, and this WILL INDEED HAPPEN.
The Flyers currently have $2.29 million of cap space, per Cap Friendly. With that being said, what Fletcher could do is add a player(s) that brings Cup experience, and a player that could really help aid the youth on this team. Let’s get in to the list of Defensemen that might catch Fletcher’s eye.
Mattias Ekholm–LHD
What more do I have to write on Ekholm. Ekholm is an intelligent hockey player. He is strong defensively, and maintains a physical presence which is also what the Flyers are in need of. He doesn’t have the best skating abilities, but he can get shots through at the point, as he has tallied four goals and chipped in five apples for nine points in 16 games played this season.
This 30-year-old, 6’4-215 pound giant, in Ekholm is a solid versatile defenseman that closes gaps well, and apparently is good in the locker room. He could also play top pairing minutes with Ivan Provorov as he eats minutes for the Nashville Predators. Moreover, Ekholm would fit in well in Head Coach Alain Vigneault’s system, as he is a defensive first type player. He would be exactly what the Flyers need, and can he can be had for one of Yegor Zamula/Wyatte Wylie, another one or two prospects, and a first round pick. Unfortunately, Ekholm will need protection for the upcoming expansion draft as he has one year left on his contract after the 2021 season with a $3.75 million cap hit.
Jason Demers–RHD
Demers has an expiring contract at years end as he has a cap hit of $4.5 million. This places Demers on Fletcher’s radar as he does not need protection in the upcoming expansion draft.
A 32-year-old in Demers is a Right-Handed defenseman. The Arizona Coyotes might be trying to shed some salary, so this is the easiest way for them to do it. Demers isn’t the most physical defenseman, and he often looks to pass the puck rather than shoot it. However, he has good vision of the ice who maintains good gap control, and can get the shots through at the point.
David Savard–RHD
I know what everyone is thinking. Why would the Columbus Blue Jackets trade a quality defenseman to a divisional rival? Well, the good thing is the Flyers are not in the Blue Jackets division this year due to the shift in divisions to accommodate the travel for games with the coronavirus still looming.
Savard is good at shutting down top line performers, and is a good puck mover as the team transitions from defense to offense. He is a rugged defenseman that will block shots with the best of them. Savard could easily be paired with Provorov as he averages 19:30 of ice time this season, who is on an expiring contract at years end with a cap hit of $4.25 million.
Erik Gudbranson–RHD
Gudbranson is on an expiring contract at years end with a cap hit of $4 million. He averages 18:38 minutes a night, and is a journeyman in the NHL as he is currently playing with his 5th team in his career. Gudbranson is only 29-years-old I might add.
This 29-year-old defenseman can play a shutdown role as a middle pairing defenseman. He is physical, and displays a good point shot. This is a critical need for the Flyers who failed to get shots through from the point last year in the playoffs consistently.
Tyson Barrie–RHD
Before some jump down my throat for this one…hear me out first. Barrie is having a good year for the Edmonton Oilers. He has tallied three goals, and has chipped in 15 assists in 25 games played. Barrie is on an expiring contract as he earns $3.75 million.
Whether it be he is in a contract year as his contract expires at years end, or Barrie has just found his game consistently. He has a good year for the inconsistent Oilers team. In addition, Barrie has good defensive instincts, and has good mobility. Barrie is not the most physical defenseman, and has trouble taking the bodies at times. However, he can play solid defense and chip in offensively. Barrie is a good playmaker, as well.
Whatever the case may be. The Flyers are in need of a minutes eating defenseman, and the sooner this happens the better. Unfortunately, the Flyers have been inconsistent defensively this season, and a lot of that is due to Matt Niskanen’s retirement.
Ekholm or Savard.