Rumor has it there have been trade talks around the Flyers & Mattis Ekholm, a 6’4 defensive defenseman from the Nashville Predators. Personally, I would go a different route, and here’s why.
Ekholm, as of right now, is making $3.75 million for the rest of this year and 2022, so that is an issue with the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft coming in July. That means the Flyers are going to have to risk a guy like Phil Myers if you protect Ekholm. Losing Myers would not be ideal at all and it’s not something the Flyers want to do. The big three on Defense for the future are obviously Provorov, Sanheim, and Myers, so you don’t want to lose any of the three for nothing. I would love Ekholm in Orange and Black, don’t get me wrong, he’d be a great fit on this Flyers team! But you are going to have to give up something on the prospect side like Yegor Zamula, Wyatte Wylie, or even Linus Högberg.
Another option would be David Savard from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who is making $4.25 million for 20-21, and is a UFA at year’s end. Meaning Seattle isn’t an issue since his contract is off the books. Two other players would be Jamie Oleksiak from the Dallas Stars or Nicklas Hjalmarsson from the Arizona Coyotes. Both are UFA’s after this year, and would be good veteran fits. Oleksiak would be more reasonable since for one, he’s huge (6’7), and he only makes $2.1 million. Hjalmarsson on the other hand makes $5 million even…tougher pill to swallow there with only so much room with Cap this year.
I think Savard would be the best option since he’s cheap and can log minutes, uses his body (which is something the Flyers need more guys to do) and is a guy who can play the PK, too. My only question is, does Chuck Fletcher want to make a move to go all in now, or wait until Expansion is over? I think everything he has done has had Seattle in mind, because the Flyers will lose a good player.
There is no need to panic Flyers fans. It’s still early in this year and it’s still a learning curve for this team. Flyers are still the best team in the east, that’s for sure.
Yes, Yes, and Yes. Is it in the books to Acquire Ekholm and Savard??? Savard’s contract is up year end we can decide at year end to try to keep him or shake hands. Ekholm is a keeper in my books. That would give us that mix we need vets to youth on the blueline. That would be awesome!!!