Photo Credit: Zack Hill
With the trade deadline less than a week away, most playoff teams in the East are already beginning to acquire pieces in order to help them make a run in the playoffs. Will the Flyers follow suit?
If the Flyers ownership and upper management have anything do to with it, the answer is yes. When the Flyers organization hired Chuck Fletcher as the new General Manger of the Flyers they made it abundantly clear to him that they were no longer willing to tank seasons and stock draft picks. They wanted to be playoff contenders again, and put a team out on the ice that the city of Philadelphia can be proud of.
With that in mind the Flyers are at this point looking like they may be able to squeak into the playoffs. Other teams in the Eastern Conference have already made roster moves to better their team. The Washington Capitals acquired Defenseman Brenden Dillion from the San Jose Sharks, the Tampa Bay Lighting received forward Blake Coleman from the New Jersey Devils, the New York Islanders picked up Defenseman Andy Greene from the Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins stole Jason Zucker from the Minnesota Wild. Moreover, the Boston Bruins currently seem to be the front runners for New York Rangers Chris Kreider. All of these moves fill holes, or gaps on their respected rosters.
The Flyers are in a tough spot because they don’t know if they will get Center Nolan Patrick back from his long-term battle with a Migraine disorder. Patrick who has been practicing with the team as of late is chomping at the bit for a chance to play sooner rather than later. The question is, are the Flyers willing to bank on his health? What if he has another setback? Also, the team lost winger Oskar Lindblom, who at that point in the season when he found out he had cancer was the teams leading scorer. With names quickly disappearing from the trade block Fletcher has to decide quickly what he is willing to risk (staying the course) and home much is he willing to wager (trade away) to better his team now.
If Fletcher is willing to make a big move it will be hard considering the teams cap restraints, but it could be done. A team he should call is the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens already decided to be sellers when they just traded defenseman Marco Scandella to the St. Louis Blues for a 2020 2nd round pick and a 2021 4th round pick. That won’t be the only player to be moved out of Montreal in the upcoming week though. Lots of speculation and rumors have been making their way out of Montreal concerning the team’s long-time All-Star caliber netminder Carey Price. Now if the team moves on from Price you can consider them in full rebuild mode.
Whom to pick from on the Canadiens roster though, that might be a good fit for the Flyers? Max Domi comes to mind. A 24-year-old former 1st round pick and son of former NHL tough guy Tie Domi (one of the most feared men to ever play the game), Max uses his great acceleration and top end speed to create plays from both the Center position and the wing. Max may only be 5’10″ and 192 pounds, but much like Tie he does not fear anyone, and isn’t afraid to mix it up. Often times picking the fight with the opposing player, not even giving his combatant the choice whether they want to drop the gloves with him or not before punching them in the face. Max (much like Tie did when he was patrolling the NHL for the Leafs) finds himself skating to the penalty box after a fight with a crazed look in his eye, and a sinful smile of satisfaction on his face as he licks his lips in order to taste his own blood. This my friends is exactly the type of player the Flyers could use to bring some grit back to Broad Street. Max’s numbers this year are as follows 13 goals, and 24 assists for a total of 37 points in 61 games played. Last year being even better, ending the year with 28 goals, and 44 assists for 72 points while playing in all 82 games. He was also a plus 20 on the year. Now you may ask why would the Canadiens want to let someone like him go? Well there’s multiple reasons. The team looks to be in a full rebuild. Domi is a restricted free agent at years end, and rumor has it that he is a little aggravated that Montreal did not want to negotiate a new deal with him after last season one in which he had career numbers in. He only gets paid slightly over $3 million now as it is, and they could match whatever anyone decides to offer him. But, do the Canadiens really want the headache of dealing with a guy who all summer will be trying to drive up the price when they have many other holes to fill?
Now who might the Flyers be willing or have to part with in-order to acquire Max Domi? Montreal has plenty of up and coming forwards such as Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, Ryan Poehling, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. To go along with that they have depth at the Goaltending position with the likes of Cayden Primeau, Charlie Lindgren, and Keith Kinkaid. What the Canadiens really need is a position that the Flyers have depth in…DEFENSE. Montreal for some reason has been watching and pinning over Flyers Shayne Gostisbehere since last year. In fact, the Canadiens had scouts at the Flyers game against the Blue Jackets last night. If the Flyers were going to overpay, hopefully it would be for a 24-year-old in his prime, rather than a 37-year-old defenseman like some teams are doing currently (Of course, the Flyers aren’t looking for a Defenseman, that was just a comparison).
Proposed trade:
| Philadelphia Flyers acquire: | Montreal Canadians acquire: |
| Max Domi | Shayne Gostisbehere |
| Defense Prospect (First): Wyatte Wylie OR Wyatt Kalynuk Defense Prospect (2nd): Mason Millman, and a conditional 2021 2nd round pick if Max re-signs in off season. |
This may seem like a big price to give up for Domi, but Gostisbehere’s play is at an all-time low. He’s just not the player he once was. Also, you must think of Patrick’s health, it has been in question since the Flyers even drafted him. Sad to say (Prayers) but reality is Oskar Lindblom may never be able to play again, and even if he does come back who knows when might that be? That’s two big question marks, and a lot of offense to replace. Domi would immediately step in and be a fan favorite here in Philly, and we all know that Montreal likes to pick from the scrap heap of the Flyers (Nick Cousins, Dale Weise, Jordan Weal). If the Flyers want to still compete at a chance for the playoffs this year, they must be willing keep up with the Joneses (other teams) in the Eastern Conference.  Â
Tie Domi was NOT one of the most feared players. He was a pain in the ass.
Mitch, I agree he was a pain in the ass. A torn in the Flyers side for a long time. I still think he was one of the best fighters ever in the NHL, one guy who few to this day would not square up with in a bar.
I’m sorry but this philosophy is fundamentally wrong. You mentioned the teams who are making big signings? Lightening, Penguins, Caps, Islanders. And Boston is the front runner for Kreider. The Islanders I think are a better team than the Flyers but not by much But Flyers are not the same caliber team as the others. You are delusional if you think the Flyers have a path to the cup so why make a big signing? It’s a no brained Fletcher should stay put. The better the Flyers play the more irrational people become about the trade deadline. I will be impressed by Fletcher if he chooses not to get sucked into that bologna.
Agree 100% thank you for being the voice of reason!
Anytime Joe. I appreciate the read!
Matt I didn’t say that I think they should make a big trade. I mentioned that I think Flyers upper management will want a big trade. Like they informed Chuck when he was brought on to be new GM. They want to compete this year. I agree there’s a few team that far surpass us currently especially with their recent additions. I suggested if the Flyers management wanted to make a big trade they should go after Max Domi because he wouldn’t just be a rental for this year but a guy who could contribute for years to come. Much like Chuck has mentioned multiple times in interviews wanting if they were to make a trade. He’s mentioned he will not give up draft picks or top prospects for 30+ year old guys.
I totally agree watching the flyers this season has been fun again i love the new coach and the play of the younger players i think domi would be a good fit here in philly another young player that could bring us back to the 70s
What a well thought out written article. I would deal Ghost for Domi or Kapanen. We have plenty of depth on D. I agree 100%
Thank you I appreciate the read!
Hello! I know you won’t post my thoughts on this topic, but I believe Ron Hextall actually did the right thing by building through the draft. Konecny, Hart, Lindblom, Sanheim, Myers(Free agent signing), Bunnamen, Provorov, Hagg, Zamula, Frost, Farabee etc have all begun maturing as players and there are more Hextall draft picks on the way.
Had it not been for goaltending mess last year, Ron Hextall would still be here. Chuck Fletcher destroyed $25M of free cap space and screwed up the 2019 draft by going after small players who will never play in the NHL.
What worries me is that Chuck Fletcher goes back to the days of making the playoffs, only to lose early on. Isn’t that why Hextall was brought in, to build a team that could get better each year, through smart drafting. Flyers will never win a Cup going back to “the old system”. 45 years and counting.
Greg, I always look forward to hearing your thoughts on my articles! I am in total agreement with you. Hextall was my favorite player growing up and the one who inspired me to want to play Ice Hockey and be a goaltender. I think Hextall’s ability to work magic on draft day is unmatched! He took the Flyers Farm System from bottom in the NHL to an absolute prospect powerhouse! One in which I believe we are only beginning to see the fruits of his labor. The team will benefit from the players he drafted, and signed as undrafted free agents for YEARS TO COME!
Hextall’s ultimate demise though was his inability to communicate with the people he worked for, where he over time kept pulling his circle of people he trusted to a smaller and smaller numbers. Often not sharing with upper management his vision, Hextall had extreme control issues. Such as restricting what players can eat for pregame meals. Not letting the players kids in the locker-room after the game or practice, Music choice in locker-room, being over protective with certain prospects like Carter Hart who were ready for the next challenge Etc. Etc. Hextall was given a team with a lot of problems. He was able to work his way out of cap hell that was left by Paul Holmgren. He focused his efforts on drafting and developing young talent. In doing so he forgot about the team that most fans solely pay attention to the Flyers. You have to put a team on the ice that the fans can at least see some hope for the future. A taste of what’s to come. The Flyers are a business as a hole. The way you fund the scouts (ETC.) is through ticket sales and apparel sold by your NHL. Ultimately if your NHL team is not making money and not selling out games your not doing your job as a GM. I agree with you that Chuck drafted under sized guys, very few undersized guys turn out to be a Martin St. Louis and sustain long careers in the NHL. Frost is finding that out now. Struggling to make the next step to the NHL. While being able to shine at the AHL level. I believe Chuck was given marching orders when hired, to immediately make the Flyers playoff contenders. Again more games played equals more $$$. This article is not my choice of the direction of the team, but my opinion if the team does decide to go that route who they should acquire. If we are going to get rid of prospects let it be for young NHL Talent that can help the team for not only this year but for years to come! Instead of overpaying for old farts that are passed their prime trying to chase that Cup one last time.
Should of traded ghost months ago if dealing with Montreal find a way to get Romanov in the deal also
If they are going to trade all of these assets go after Dylan Larkin or atomasiou out of Detroit
Darren No way do I want the Flyers to trade for Athanasiou yes he was a 30 goal scorer last year, but he is also a -43 in just 45 games played this year this year! He does not know the word defense. No way do the Red Wings trade Larkin. From the Red Wings I like Tyler Bertuzzi and the hurt Anthony Mantha. Neither one of them will be moved by the Red Wings GM either.
I would keep Mason Milman!
We do not even have the money to re-sign Tyler Pitlick after this season, so we should maybe include Pitlick in the deal, and sign better rental for rest of this season!If that above mentioned deal goes true, then we should trade Braun and Pitlick to assets towards next summers deep draft in mind!
I really like Mason Millman as well. It would definitely sting to get rid of any prospects, but Montreal is going to want something back in return. Braun I believe was an expensive rental until Zamula, and others are ready next year to fill that hole. I don’t believe they will resign him. Although, I do think they resign Pitlick, he has stepped up whenever asked and has played well. Making guys like Raffl seem expendable. As always thank you for the read!