Photo Courtesy of, Len Redkoles, Getty Images via NHL
After a miserable 2021-2022 campaign so far the Philadelphia Flyers season is essentially over from a postseason perspective. Unless the team puts forth a miraculous almost unbeaten run in their final stretch of games there’s not even a remote possibility they’ll be anywhere near a playoff spot come the end of the NHL season. As a result, the final 39 games look to be more of an evaluation period for the team.
With general manager Chuck Fletcher likely dealing his pending UFA’s at the trade deadline. Which would include notable names such as Claude Giroux and Rasmus Ristolainen. What the Flyers get in return for these players and all the players they end up moving on from going into next season will be a crucial part of reforming this team. As well as, improving the organizational roster depth needed to become a competitive NHL franchise once again.
The key to the Flyers regaining their form and the high end talent they lack as referenced by Fletcher in his State of the Team press conference on Wednesday is draft picks and prospects. As reinforced by Chuck Fletcher the easiest way to acquire such talent would be through drafting and developing players. Considering the Flyers could have multiple first round picks this upcoming draft with their own, the one they acquire from a Giroux trade, and possibly a 1st rounder they acquire from a Ristolainen trade. The Flyers are in a predicament that actually could be quite promising.
With 3 possible first round picks on the horizon the team has an opportunity to restock their prospect pool. Obviously there is no guarantee all of these picks turn out to be successful NHLers however, it affords the Flyers the ability to start infusing more dynamic and younger talent into the organization. Not to mention, the possibility of packaging some of these picks for a higher pick in the draft to select a particular prospect the Flyers scouting staff covets.
One other aspect that will allow the Flyers to address their lack of high end talent will be the remainder of the Claude Giroux trade return. Though the first round pick the Flyers acquire from this trade will be important and provide the chance to draft a talented prospect. The already established young player that is either in the NHL or very close to it, being pursued by Chuck Fletcher may be an even more pivotal facet of this trade.
If the Flyers could acquire a player like Alex Newhook, Bowen Byram, Fabian Lysell or Jack Drury it would instantly add to the skill of their team. Coupling in a possible 3 first round prospects along with one of these players would mean the Flyers have added 4 potential high talent options to their organization in just one off-season. Effectively addressing the lack of dynamic skill and infusing a wealth of different skill sets and talent into the Flyers franchise for the future.
Essentially, the next few months leading up to the trade deadline and those negotiations that come with it will be critical for the team. Maximizing the returns for unrestricted free agents Claude Giroux and Rasmus Ristolainen could allow the Flyers the avenue to add high end skill in a short manner. Though this is reliant upon the right prospects being targeted in terms of a trade and two first round picks being acquired.
The draft capital is a key because the team will then have multiple prospect options to choose from with three first round picks in the upcoming entry draft. Ultimately, the scouting staff will need to hit on these picks in order for the Flyers to add the high end talent needed to become competitive again in short order. Despite this challenge it is worth a shot for the Flyers to go this route. In today’s NHL drafting and developing to add to your talent pool is vital especially in a flat salary cap era. Although the team will also have cap space to add to their roster this off-season, the draft picks added will still be the most telling. As the future of the Flyers franchise is dependent on their ability to develop the talent added through the draft in the next few seasons ahead.
