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 March is around the corner, but here we are. So what are the Flyers plans now with them fighting and clawing for second and third place in the Metropolitan Division?
Now that the injuries are starting to pile up, to include the likes of their best player in Travis Konecny and now a young-good skating defenseman in Jamie Drysdale, should the Flyers stay the course or make some moves to add depth to the team? In addition, should the Flyers add a backup goaltender, or just stay the course with Cal Petersen and Felix Sandström when/if he gets recalled?
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 not transpire for the Flyers at the NHL trade deadline this year.
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.
The key to the Flyers trade deadline this year is to gain as many first round picks, and hopefully second round picks as possible. This means sticking to the guns, not trading Scott Laughton or Sean Walker for a bag of pucks like in the past (Shayne Gostisbehere). These are such assets that have been mentioned in rumors, for good reason. If that means Sean Walker re-signs with the club, possibly if teams don’t want to meet what Flyers General Manager Danny Briere wants in return for him, so be it, he can then be flipped for such with teams knowing Walker’s salary and term. This is a different era for the Flyers organization. Those times of Flyers General Manager’s being taken advantage of for assets are over. It’s time for Briere to garner some respect without being taken advantage of. How many times in the past have most seen the Flyers organization get taken advantage of in trades? Those days are over.
“We can’t change course, we’ve got to stay the course and let our kids develop.” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella
For once the team has a plan, a plan of trying to gain some high-end prospects through the draft, a plan looking ahead to the offseason to maybe flip some picks or roster player(s) for a high-end player. The trade deadline is not the time to do such, especially when prices are usually through the roof for such acquisitions.
Even with the recent rash of injuries with Konecny and Drysdale, the Flyers should trade Walker, Laughton, or even Cam Atkinson if good deals arise. The recent rash of injuries should not change the Flyers original plan of trading assets for future assets that will be with the organization long-term. Moreover, with the Flyers in the midst of a rebuild. Briere should not focus on obtaining a backup netminder by the trade deadline, when the prices are sky high for the unknown in the playoffs. The playoffs are a different animal, and they have to make it first. Again this is the first step of a rebuild, the orange and black should not give up assets to plug a hole, when there is depth in the system at these positions for once. Stay the course, stick to the original plan, if a good deal comes forth for all aforementioned players
John Tortorella addressed that last week, and he said the Flyers would stay the course with the upcoming trade deadline looming. I have to give him and the organization their props for addressing the players that could be very well be traded by the time the deadline commences in March, “I’ve talked to them. I want to show respect to them and not spring anything on them. The whole team knows where we stand. We always try to be transparent,” John Tortorella said last Monday at practice.
Do not expect any blockbuster trades, or big time acquisitions for the orange and black at the trade deadline this year. The Flyers will be looking to solely acquire assets, to include some solid prospects possibly. Other than that, the Flyers will trim their total contract count that now sits at 48 out of 50. The team has a plan, a good vision with their rebuild, not following suit with that would mean the organization is not transparent.
Now I did not include Nick Seeler in any moves, honestly he will re-sign with the Flyers by the time the trade deadline commences. All signs and indications are pointing towards such, as I have mentioned in my previous mailbag and articles in January/early February.
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