Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers top brass will have a busy offseason, and this includes the cap guru for the Flyers Barry Hanrahan. Hanrahan is a cap specialist and he will have his hands full for the second straight offseason, especially with it being the era of a flat cap.
With that being said, there are a few trade targets that might catch the eye of Fletcher. One of them being Seth Jones from the Columbus Blue Jackets, a Right-Handed puck moving defenseman:
Let’s think back to right after the deadline commenced. Fletcher stated to us (Media) that there were some teams that groundwork was laid for a trade. He specifically said that he knows what they want, and they know what “We” want. The Flyers should be all in for Jones, but Fletcher may also have another target in mind, and that is Ryan Ellis from the Nashville Predators. Let’s breakdown Ellis and Jones, as either would instantly be paired with star defenseman Ivan Provorov.
Seth Jones
Jones is the son of former NBA power forward Popeye Jones. Seth Jones is an impressive athlete and one heck opf a player on the backend. He can put up good point totals, log a ton of ice time (Which is big with playing with Provorov) and play a shutdown role if need be.
Simply put, Jones Is a difference maker. He possesses a wicked blast from the point, which would help the Flyers stagnant Power Play. Jones is a sizeable defenseman (6’4, 208 pounds), and he is physical. He is a smooth-skating defenseman who has impressive speed, quickness and the ability to skate his way out of trouble.
His gap control is impeccable as he can keep up with the best players in the game. Does he get beat from time to time…sure, but almost every defensemen in the NHL does at some point. Throw away his analytical stats, Jones is a defenseman the Flyers have craved since losing the services of Chris Pronger. Jones walks the blue line very well to open up shooting lanes, and he possesses awareness of where his teammates are at.
Jones is an intimidating player. He wins puck battles, blocks shots, and hits. What more is there not to like about him as he tallied five goals, and 23 assists this past season. There will be many teams looking for his services for good reason.
What will it take to obtain Jones? Well, Philippe Myers, a prospect like Egor Zamula, and a 1st or 2nd round pick. Some will say this is a lot, and it is. However, you have to give in order to receive, and Jones would instantly be paired with Provorov. To me it’s a win-win, and he is only 26-years-old. Moreover, some say he might not re-sign with the Flyers if Fletcher tries to obtain him. This could be true, but the Flyers would make sure a new contract is in place at the time of the trade.
Ryan Ellis
Ellis has very good offensive instincts and is a mobile defenseman as he stands at 5’10. He weighs 180 pounds, and is 30-years-old. Ellis knows how to move the puck effectively, especially in high danger areas. He owns a powerful point shot from the point, and is highly accurate with such. Ellis is an experienced Right-Handed Defenseman that has developed into an excellent defender. Like most defenseman he does make mistakes, and he lacks ideal size at the blue line. However, he is a veteran defenseman that the Flyers need to stabilize the young backend that averaged just 25.83-years-old for the Flyers last season.
He is an excellent passer and despite his size, Ellis is very good at board battling and wrapping players up. He played well on the defensive side and understands good positioning is how he can compete with bigger bodies, as he tallied five goals, and 13 assists in 35 games played this past season for the Nashville Predators. Ellis has had his fair share of injuries, but he would pair well with Provorov. He would also help a struggling Flyers Power Play, as Ellis possesses a heavy accurate shot.
What would it take to obtain the services of Ellis? First and foremost a contract like JvR or Ghost, a defensive prospect like Egor Zamula or Linus Högberg, a prospect Bobby Brink, and a second or third round pick.
In the end Fletcher will indeed add a top pairing defenseman to pair with Provorov this offseason, and the only question that remains is when. The Flyers surely have the capital to obtain such a player, so the time is now to improve this team.
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Why would Columbus want Philippe Myers? He’s garbage.
Just what we need, more offensive defensemen.
Definitely prefer Seth Jones over Ryan Ellis
Why cant we do both? I think we can.