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The NHL trade deadline will commence on March 7, 2024. It’s coming fast, it’s coming like a speed of lightning. In all seriousness, I can’t believe it’s almost March already for crying out loud, but here we are. So what are the Flyers plans now with them fighting and jockeying for for playoff positioning in the Metropolitan Division, and possibly trading Scott Laughton or Rasmus Ristolainen?
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. However, what Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere might do is lay the groundwork for a trade in the offseason, or the near future.
Some trades take time, especially the more complicated ones. In some cases, some trades take years in the making, as the Flyers were looking at obtaining Andrei Kuzmenko for a period of time, well before that trade commenced with the Calgary Flames. Briere actually admitted that they were going to possibly target Kuzmenko in free agency.
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 (If they make it that far), and that is why the organization will stick to their original plan.
This leads me to this. The Flyers total contract count sits at 45 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.
Elliot Desnoyers
He was 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. Desnoyers has appeared to fallen off massively within the past few seasons. Is it developmental at this point? Or maybe he needs a change of scenery to get him going again. It has been a strange few season, to say the least for Desnoyers.
I mean he almost made the big club outright during John Tortorella’s first season as Flyers Head Coach. Some teams that are looking to add depth on the wing or possibly add Center depth could covet Desnoyers, so don’t throw it by Briere if Desnoyers is moved like Isaac Ratcliffe or Wade Allison in years past.
Desnoyers 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 (Unrestricted Free Agent) at years end.
Benjamin Gleason
Gleason was acquired by Flyers General Manager Danny Briere, in exchange for Ronnie Attard.
He’s a UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) at year’s end. The orange and black are high on Louie Belpedio, whom they have to re-sign. Gleason is a Left-Handed Defenseman, and if he was a righty I would say they would keep him.
Is this a trade that has to happen? No, but acquiring a player, or future considerations in return could help aide Briere make a future trade with said team in the future.
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