Photo Courtesy of, Jean-Yves Ahern, USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Flyers are in hockey purgatory at this particular moment. With the organization’s initial expectations of being a playoff contender this season thrown out the window due to poor performance, the future surrounding the team is up in the air currently. The Flyers injury list has also piled up to the point where the roster is full of AHL players. As a result, there isn’t much for fans to be looking forward to in terms of the product on the ice.
The most interesting thing for Flyers fans the remainder of this season will be getting to watch certain prospects attempt to cement themselves within the lineup. These young players will certainly get a chance to do so with the Trade Deadline nearing closer. It will afford them the playing time and opportunity to show they belong in the NHL once Chuck Fletcher and staff begin selling off some assets in the next few weeks as the Trade Deadline approaches.
Speaking of the Trade Deadline, it falls on March 21st and is essentially a month away at this point. This will be the other event that should grab Flyers fans attention in a season that looks to be one of the most bleak in franchise history. When looking at the Flyers players that have the potential to be moved it should be an active Trade Deadline for Chuck Fletcher and his staff. Due to the team being in the unique position of trying to sell off assets while also aiming towards aggressively retooling the roster ( per Chuck Fletcher in the state of the team press conference) it will be fascinating to see the players Fletcher parts with and the returns that are recouped.
It’s a possibility that Fletcher is looking to acquire more NHL ready prospects than purely draft capital. How the Flyers evaluate what exact prospects they are going to pursue and what needs these prospects would be filling in the future will be crucial to the team’s outlook moving forward. Not to mention, the fact that the trades made by the Flyers at the Trade Deadline may also give some insight into their off-season strategy and what the team is prioritizing.
On the latest episode of the Gettin Gritty Wit It Podcast we welcome Shawn Samson to the podcast. Shawn is the father of the Philadelphia Flyers promising defensive prospect Ethan Samson. Ethan was drafted by the Flyers in 2021 and is currently in his third season with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, where he is having an impressive breakout season. We discussed the potential of Ethan’s game and the opportunity for progression, along with some of his strengths and things he may need to improve on with Shawn.
We also dived into Oscar Lindblom’s recent resurgence, Claude Giroux trade rumors and much more. Which included dissecting what the Flyers should be realistically expecting to receive in a trade return for Giroux. This is an episode you don’t want to miss!
Thanks to everyone for listening and for the support!
