The Philadelphia Flyers thrived at instances below the management of head coach Alain Vigneault, however in the end by no means produced the deep Stanley Cup runs the group hoped for. Vigneault was fired in December 2021, however the franchise’s struggles continued. 

Normal supervisor Chuck Fletcher had made a bevy of huge signings that hamstrung the franchise, together with signing ahead Kevin Hayes to a seven-year, $50 million contract in 2019 and buying and selling for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Fletcher additionally signed Ristolainen to a five-year, $25 contract, and Ristolainen has produced a reasonably underwhelming tenure throughout his time in Philadelphia.

The Flyers fired Fletcher from his submit in March 2023, and that was the start of the franchise’s resurgence. Philadelphia introduced in former gamers Keith Jones because the president of hockey operations and Danny Briere as the brand new common supervisor, and Briere has since made some very daring and productive strikes. 

In June 2023, the Flyers traded defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets as a part of a three-team deal that netted the franchise defenseman Sean Walker, goaltender Cal Petersen, defenseman Helge Grans, a 2023 first-round choose (No. 22 total) and a conditional 2024 or 2025 second-round choose.

In January 2024, Briere made the boldest transfer of his tenure when he traded former No. 5 choose Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Geese in trade for defenseman Jamie Drysdale. The Flyers had been below the impression that Gauthier did not wish to play in Philadelphia, so that they traded his rights for a confirmed commodity in Drysdale.

The Flyers had been anticipated to be embarking on one other rebuilding 12 months in 2023-24. As a substitute, the franchise has overachieved in a giant manner because it’s at present entrenched because the No. 3 seed within the Metropolitan Division because the Stanley Cup Playoffs creep nearer.

That actually makes the commerce deadline lots trickier than Philadelphia could have imagined. The Flyers determine to be postseason sure based mostly on their present place, and that may lead some to imagine the group needs to be trying to purchase on the commerce deadline. Nevertheless, contemplating they’ve a really younger and promising roster, it makes a ton of sense for Briere and firm to unload just a few veterans to acquire extra property for the longer term.

This is a take a look at a few of the Flyers that could possibly be on the transfer previous to the commerce deadline.

Sean Walker

The probably title to be on the transfer could possibly be defenseman Sean Walker. The veteran blue-liner was acquired by the Flyers in a three-team commerce involving defenseman Ivan Provorov final summer season, and it will make a ton of sense for Walker to be dealt forward of the commerce deadline.

Walker is at present second on the group in factors (22) amongst defensemen, behind solely Travis Sanheim. The 29-year-old has a really enticing cap hit at simply $2.65 million, so contending groups should not have an excessive amount of hassle absorbing his wage in a possible deal. Walker will not be an elite choice, however he is an amazing slot in a group’s high two defensive pairings on the blue line. Whereas he isn’t a dynamic offensive participant, Walker nonetheless can bounce into the play and put the puck into the web when he must. 

Since Walker is slated to change into an unrestricted free agent this summer season, It actually behooves Philadelphia to get some worth in return for Walker if they do not intend on re-signing him. It is doable the Flyers may land a first-round choose in trade for his providers, so Walker is the probably Philadelphia participant to be dealt.

Scott Laughton

It is unlikely the Flyers will ship lots of their forwards out of city on the deadline. Nevertheless, one that would fetch a strong return is Scott Laughton.

This can be a scenario the place Philadelphia may reap the benefits of a market that does not function a ton of intriguing choices on the middle place following the trades of Elias Lindholm and Sean Monahan. Laughton is a really enticing choice for a contending group which may be in search of a third- or fourth-line veteran presence. Laughton is at present within the third 12 months of a five-year contract extension he signed again in 2021. That signifies that an buying group would have two extra full seasons of management in relation to Laughton, plus his $3 million cap hit is not going to hinder any group’s payroll an excessive amount of.

Laughton clearly is not a deadly scoring choice, however is a really bodily ahead that can offers a ton of grit. The 29-year-old did rating a career-best 18 objectives a season in the past, so the scoring numbers may be there at instances. Contemplating the Flyers have vital depth on the ahead place, it would not be surprising in the event that they moved Laughton for a strong return.

Nick Seeler

The Flyers could possibly be very energetic in relation to their blue line main as much as the commerce deadline, and that features probably dealing defenseman Nick Seeler. 

Very similar to Walker, Seeler will likely be an unrestricted free agent this summer season, so it is doable the Flyers elect to ship him out of city. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the 2 sides had been negotiating on a possible contract extension, however these talks weren’t “obtained overly nicely” from Philadelphia’s standpoint. The Flyers are doubtless in search of an average-annual-value within the $2.5-3 million vary, whereas Seeler is reportedly in search of extra on an annual foundation.

Seeler at present has 11 factors (one objective, 10 assists) in 60 video games this season. The veteran defenseman actually discovered a house in Philadelphia after beforehand spending time with the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild. Seeler is a rugged blue-liner that is not afraid to dish out a thunderous test or lay down to dam a shot. If the Flyers do not make any headway on a possible contract extension, it is doubtless the Flyers would try and commerce Seeler to keep away from being left empty-handed if Seeler signed elsewhere within the offseason.