The NHL Trade Deadline is coming up at 3:00pm today, and while the deadline isn’t Paul Holmgren’s preferred trading time (that would be the summer, when the flowers bloom and Homer presumably goes mad from the hot sun), it’s always possible that the Flyers GM could try to make a big splash.
Holmgren is also playing it cool, like an aloof boyfriend. He told CSN Philly’s Tim Panaccio last week, “I like the way our defense has played, I know it’s not a sexy defense. Is there a Bobby Orr out there we can get? Probably not. Our defense has played pretty good as a group, overall. Could we improve it? I don’t know.”
Pretty typical GM speak, even if it might cause the fan base’s collective heads to explode. The Flyers acquired New York Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald, to mixed reviews. This leaves the Flyers with 9 (!) defenseman, so something will probably change on the back end.
The most likely scenario has Andrej Meszaros leaving town for a draft pick. The rumored suitor is the Boston Bruins, who have been looking for defensive help since Dennis Seidenberg tore his ACL and MCL back in December.
UPDATE: Meszaros is headed to Boston for a 3rd round pick
Flyers sending Andrej Meszaros to Boston. 3rd round pick in return.
— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) March 5, 2014
As far as big trades for the Flyers, here are some of the names that have been floating around out there:
Ryan Kesler
Position Center
Current Team Vancouver Canucks
Homer interest level Beer truck fountain
An American playing in Western Canada, Kesler apparently wants to escape the country and return home to the good old USA. He’s a tremendous center, but he comes with a high price (a young NHL center, a top prospect and a number 1 pick according to Bob McKenzie). The common speculation has Brayden Schenn going to Vancouver, but he’s a guy that the Flyers would certainly be hesitant to trade. Kesler makes zero sense for this team, but that won’t stop the center obsessed Flyers, apparently. What’s the primary team reportedly going after Kesler? The state rival Pittsburgh Penguins. Watch this one closely.
UPDATE 1:30pm
According to Renaud Lavoie, the Flyers are no longer contenders for Ryan Kesler
Flyers are out of the Ryan Kesler derby. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@LavoieRenaud) March 5, 2014
Alexander Edler
Position Defenseman
Current Team Vancouver Canucks
Homer interest level All you can eat seafood buffet
The Vancouver Canucks are having a good old fashioned fire sale as John Tortorella’s first season with the team hasn’t come together quite like the franchise hoped that it would. Roberto Luongo has returned to Florida, the aforementioned Ryan Kesler could be on his way out. What’s going to happen to one of their most valuable assets in Edler? He might go, but the price would be high. Top pairing defensemen don’t go for cheap, especially when they’ve got reasonable contracts (4 more seasons with a cap hit of $5 million).
Christian Ehrhoff
Position Defenseman
Current Team Buffalo Sabres
Homer interest level Gummy Venus DeMilo
Almost any team would love a player of Christian Ehrhoff’s calibre. but the main issue in acquiring someone like him is his contract. His cap hit is only $4 million, but he’s 31 and signed until 2020-21. Buffalo will want young talent or draft picks considering they’re in the NHL gutter and selling any viable asset that they can. The Flyers haven’t been mentioned in the running for Ehrhoff, but he’s the type of defensive player that could really help this team.
Some other names to consider (but not too heavily) for the Flyers
-
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen
-
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers
-
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien
-
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Evander Kane
-
Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (don’t actually consider this name, this was nothing other than a mere trolling attempt)
Other situations to watch around the NHL
-
Thomas Vanek is the biggest non-Kesler name available, and the Islanders are absolutely going to move him. The Ducks, Sharks, Kings, Penguins, and Bruins have all been mentioned as possibilities for Vanek.
UPDATE: Vanek is headed to Montreal
Vanek to Montreal in exchange for a 2nd round pick and a prospect
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) March 5, 2014
-
Whichever team misses out on Vanek will go after Matt Moulson or Marian Gaborik.
UPDATE: Gaborik has been traded to the Kings
UPDATE: Moulson has been traded to the Minnesota Wild
Source: Sabres send Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick to Minnesota for undisclosed picks and Torrey Mitchell.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) March 5, 2014
-
The New Jersey Devils are attempting to trade the face of the franchise and Philadelphia-area dartboard cover Martin Brodeur. Marty’s not too happy about being stuck behind Cory Schneider and wants a greater opportunity to play. But, will the Devils get the price they want for a man that’s been with the franchise longer than their current building?
-
Roberto Luongo AND Tim Thomas are playing for the Panthers now? Don’t be surprised to see Thomas on the move today.
UPDATE: Tim Thomas is headed to Texas
Tim Thomas headed to DAL. #Tradecentre
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 5, 2014
- Martin St. Louis and Ryan Callahan swapped cities earlier today, in a good, old-fashioned blockbuster deal. There's a chance that the Lightning could flip Callahan, so that's something to keep an eye on.
There will be updates throughout the day, so check back later on!
