Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/Getty Images
The NHL trade deadline will commence on March 8, 2024. It’s coming fast, it’s coming like a speed of lightning. In all seriousness, I can’t believe it’s March already for crying out loud, but here we are. So what are the Flyers plans now with them fighting and clawing for for playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division, and trading Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche along with re-signing Nick Seeler?
This time of year you may read rumor after rumor with certain Flyers players mentioned, or articles that are geared towards adding players or stars. That will most likely not transpire for the Flyers at the NHL trade deadline this year. What Briere could be doing by talking to certain teams is laying the ground work for a trade in the offseason or the near future.
Some trades tale time, especially the more complicated ones. In some cases, some trades take years in the making.
The hierarchy for the Flyers have preached patience (The fans have been very patient for the past few seasons, but just a little longer), and have been very transparent about the overall state of the organization. They have not lost sight and, and will not lose sight of the rebuild regardless of how the team is faring at the moment. Winning is important yes, however, this team has over exceeded expectations according to most pundits already. Does John Tortorella and company want to win every game? Yes, but this is the beginning stages of the rebuild, they’re growing process of winning and losing. The team should not treat assets for some unknown game. What is unknown is how they will fare in the playoffs after trading away such assets, and that is why the organization will stick to their plan.
This leads me to this. The Flyers total contract count sits at 48 out of 50 contracts. What Danny Briere could do at the trade deadline is make small trades, teams that need depth, to include the AHL level. Here are some Lehigh Valley Phantoms players that could possibly fit the bill, but also trim down the number of contracts for the orange and black.
Wade Allison
He’s an asset for the Phantoms with his toughness, grittiness, and offensive skill. However, it appears he’s unlikely to get a shot with the big club, unless there are a ton of injuries.
Some teams that are looking to add depth on the wing could covet Allison, so don’t throw it by Briere if Allison is moved like Isaac Ratcliffe in years past.
Allison is an RFA at year’s end, so anything is possible.
Rhett Gardner
Gardner is a C/LW that could add depth for a playoff team at the Center position. He has NHL experience, obviously. But, at 28-years-old maybe a team like Washington wants to add him for the Hershey Bears, who are vying for the Calder Cup.
Anything is possible, like years past where the Flyers shipped J.F. Berube to the New York Rangers who were dealing with the loss of two netminders.
Would this be a sexy trade? No, but sometimes these trades have to happen, and Gardner is a UFA in 2025.
Zayde Wisdom
This is a tough one as I had high hopes for Wisdom as he was drafted, and was touted by a former Flyer great in Wayne Simmonds. Wisdom has had a tough professional career, as he continues to have trouble with consistency. He is currently playing for the Reading Royals, but maybe a team needs tough rss, combined with potting greasy goals.
It’s a trade that could just have future considerations attached to it, but it would give the Flyers flexibility with total contracts. Wisdom is an RFA in 2025.
Tanner Laczynski
Laczynski could be dealt now, unfortunately, now that Ryan Johansen (Bad Contract) will more than likely play for the Phantoms. This makes either Gardner or Laczynski expendable, especially since he’s a UFA at year’s end.
He could be attractive to those teams vying for the Calder Cup playoffs, or even the NHL playoffs. Laczynski has NHL experience, and he could provide depth down the middle.
Let me reiterate, these trades may or may not happen, but it’s worth keeping an eye on. Yes, the Phantoms are jockeying for playoff positioning, but the Flyers have to keep the future in kind, and ridding themselves of some contracts isn’t a bad thing. In the end, they can’t keep everyone, especially with some young fresh prospects coming up the pipeline in the Flyers system.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
2 thoughts on “Some small trades that could come to fruition by the deadline for the Flyers”
Comments are closed.