Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher was left with a gaping hole on the blue line when Matt Niskanen officially announced his retirement one day before the NHL Draft was set to commence. Niskanen was a very reliable Right-Handed Defenseman that was on the top pairing, while being paired with a work-horse in Ivan Provorov.
Is he easy to replace? Oh heck no, and Fletcher stated “Good luck” with trying to find a replacement for Niskanen this past offseason. However, as the trade deadline nears there is still a gaping hole on the blue line, furthermore at times it appears the defense is like a leaking water faucet.
There is one way to replace Niskanen, as some teams will throw all types of high priced assets towards players to fill their needs like Mattias Ekholm and Dougie Hamilton if he’s available. The easiest way for Fletcher to obtain a comparable Niskanen’s replacement is via a trade with the Arizona Coyotes, in particular Right-Handed Defenseman Jason Demers.
While the aforementioned teams above like Montreal, Boston, Winnipeg, and Toronto will all be vying for Ekholm’s services. Fletcher could grab Demers instead, and then re-sign him in the offseason as he has an expiring contract. Demers can play in the top four, and could come a lot cheaper than obtaining Ekholm, or Hamilton.
There was a reason Flyers Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr was scouting the Coyotes a few weeks ago in Arizona. It may not solely be to obtain Demers, but there is no question he gave Demers a long look that night. The Flyers would not have wasted Flahr’s time scouting this team unless it was because of the trade deadline nearing on April 12, 2021, or for a possible upgrade in the offseason.
Demers, 32-years-old, is a Right-Handed Defenseman that can be physical and pot a goal. He moves the puck quickly and efficiently, which the Flyers could use to transition from defense to offense. Demers also likes to join the rush, and he has a decent frame. Demers is mobile, and has effective passing skills as he has tallied three assists on the season in 26 games played. He can also shoot from the point, and Demers is willing to play a physical game.
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This Coyotes Defenceman is reliable, and plays a really sound two-way game. He is a strong solid skater, and Demers uses his 6’1 frame wisely as he has no problem clearing the porch in a big way. Demers is a defenseman the Flyers could use, and he is not as offensive as Philippe Myers, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Ivan Provorov.
Demers, plays with an edge and he possesses solid puck moving skills as he likes to be involved with the play. He has logged an average ice time of 17:37 for the Coyotes this season, and at the very least he could be a solid middle pairing defenseman. Check out this hit below by Demers:
It was a tall task to replace the leadership, and on ice tutelage that Niskanen possessed the moment he announced his retirement. With the average age on the Flyers blue line of 26.5-years-old (Justin Braun 34, Shayne Gostisbehere 27, Travis Sanheim 25, Samuel Morin 25, Ivan Provorov 24, Philippe Myers 24) the Flyers could use a veteran to help aid the youth. Justin Braun has spoken up and tried to take the youth on the blue line under his wing, but he cannot do it alone. However, obtaining Demers may be the cheapest and easiest way for Fletcher to replace Niskanen, and he is a former teammate of Braun’s while the two played for the San Jose Sharks.
The Flyers will also be stocked with left-handed defensemen in the future, thus it is imperative for Fletcher to find a right-handed defenseman like Demers. With Yegor Zamula and Cam York possibly joining the orange and black at some point next season. There are only so many left-handed defensemen spots to be had.
With the Coyotes possibly looking to sell in the offseason to pay their bills, maybe it will only take a low level prospect and/or an NHL player and a 4th or 5th round pick to do such (Just a guess) to obtain Demers. Demers has an expiring contract and is currently making $4.5 million this season.
