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NHL Trade Rumors: Hypothetical Rival Deals That Make Sense

By Ryan Ritchie

Nov 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Amalie Arena. Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop (30) against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Amalie Arena. Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Trade Rumors: Vancouver Canucks defensemen Alex Edler (23) during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Trade Rumors: Vancouver Canucks defensemen Alex Edler (23) during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Trade Rumors: 2 Captains Were Traded to a Division Rival in 2015-16, Proving That Unlikely Foes Can Do Business With One Another. We’ve Got 5 Potential Deals Between Rival Clubs That Could Make Sense With Free Agency/Expansion in the Distance.

Instead of taking the usual approach of tackling the latest NHL trade rumors, I’ve decided to introduce a slight twist. Remember early in 2016 when the Toronto Maple Leafs shipped their captain down the 401 east to their rival Ottawa Senators? Closer to the deadline, the Winnipeg Jets also sent their captain Andrew Ladd as a rental to the Chicago Blackhawks.

These are classic examples of unlikely teams putting their differences aside when a fit makes sense and both clubs can benefit. Given the current landscape that includes a trade deadline, expansion draft, and free agency, more rival deals could be on the horizon in 2016-17.

Let’s take a look at five potential deals that could make sense for divisional teams given the current state of their roster:

NHL Trade Rumors: 5 Rival Deals That Could Make Sense

NHL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends the net against Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Pittsburgh won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) defends the net against Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Pittsburgh won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Fleury to the Flyers

On that list of NHL teams that don’t engage in deals, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are right up there near the top. Still, you’ve got to wonder how long the Flyers can insist on mediocre goaltending. Truth be told, it’s a position they’ve failed to address since the 80s/90s – names like Roman Cechmanek and Ilya Bryzgalov come to mind in the years since.

No offence to Steve Mason, who has admittedly looked sharp early on, but you’d be fooling yourself if you think he can be the long-term solution. They’ve got a ton of promising netminders in the pipelines, including Carter Hart, Alex Lyon, Anthony Stolarz, Felix Sandstrom, and Matej Tomek (among others). For the time being, Philly might be wise to invest in a proven elite number one who can serve as a stop-gap option until a young guy emerges.

I realize Flyers fans might have a difficult time imagining themselves cheering for Marc-Andre Fleury – but that could change in a hurry the moment Philly faces off against Pittsburgh in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The final look of this deal would be interesting. Pittsburgh could add an additional piece or more, while the Flyers would likely be sacrificing a nice package that could include prospects and/or draft picks.

Hypothetical Deal:

Pittsburgh trades G Marc Andre-Fleury and D Justin Schultz to Philadelphia in exchange for G Steve Mason, D Michael Del Zotto, F Pascal Laberge, and 2017 1st round draft pick

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