Flyers Trade Rumors: Tuesday Deadline

Flyers trade rumors are heating up as the Tuesday roster deadline approaches. Philadelphia only has one more cut to make, but find themselves in a difficult position.

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They’ve currently got 14 forwards, 8 defenseman, and 2 goalies remaining in camp. The only player that could be sent down without needing the clear waivers is F Scott Laughton.

Philly already lost some depth this week because of the waiver process, when Minnesota put a claim on F Chris Porter. It sounds like the Flyers are comfortable beginning the regular season with 13 forwards and 8 defense.

So what’s the issue? Well for one, Scott Laughton has played well enough to be an everyday NHLer. Forcing him down to Lehigh Valley would only be detrimental to the development in his game.

On the other hand, if Philly puts one of those other defense or forwards on waivers, they’re likely to be scooped up. The only guy that has a possibility of clearing waivers is Ryan White, but the Flyers likely want that grit for the fourth line.

Something’s gotta give. GM Ron Hextall doesn’t want to lose anymore depth guys for nothing through waivers. He also isn’t about to make a trade just for the sake of freeing up space. You’d rather lose a lesser skilled guy through waivers then to make a bad trade.

With that being said, Philadelphia is in an opportune position. We’re talking about a team that has had cap issues for years now. Why not unload a defenseman and a forward for an upgrade on the blue-line? That would make the most logic.

Believe me, there’s a reason why these Flyers trade rumors have created a buzz. Sometimes these things are very obvious when you’re looking at it from the business side of things.

I stumbled across a couple different articles surrounding the situation in Philadelphia and Flyers trade rumors. The first one was found at Philly.com, second at HockeyBuzz.com. Another reason why these stories are gaining some steam.

Sometimes a situation arises where the options to deal with it are quite limited, and that’s why we have the Flyers trade rumors. You’ve got one too many players and you’re lacking a real stud d-man.

It’s a group of 8 mediocre d-men at best. Good enough to be claimed off waivers, but not good enough for what roles Philly asks some of them to play. They haven’t had a top pair guy since Chris Pronger.

Flyers Trade Rumors – Potential Targets & Trade Bait

May 25, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman

Cam Fowler

(4) controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia trades D Luke Schenn & F Matt Read to Anaheim for D Cam Fowler

The Ducks have a lack of RH shots outside of Sami Vatanen and newcomer Josh Manson, who had made an impression. Korbinian Holzer shoots right but unclear how much he’ll play for the Ducks.

Luke Schenn is more of a defensive d-man who loves to throw the body, and shoots right.

It’s not that the Ducks are particularly looking to shop Fowler, but moving him becomes easier with the play of Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm. They also brought in Kevin Bieksa in the offseason.

Anaheim has over $8 mil in cap space with Fowler carrying a $4 mil cap hit over the next couple seasons. Philly could definitely use some cap relief.

Luke Schenn carries a $3.6 mil cap hit for this season and becomes a UFA next summer. He also has a no trade clause, but would be likely to waive it. Matt Read carries a $3.625 mil cap hit and is signed through 2017-18.

Fact is, Flyers have too much skill up front, and for far too long Matt Read has suffered the way James van Riemsdyk did back in his time with Philly. He’s had opportunities for bigger roles, but has never exclusively been submerged into a larger role for any extended period of time.

He gets shuffled through the lineup and simply doesn’t get enough minutes. Philly needs more quality on the back-end, particularly another offensive defenseman. Fowler would be that upgrade. The question is, would Anaheim be at all interested?

Mar 17, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman

Mattias Ekholm

(14) skates the puck across center ice during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia trades D Radko Gudas & F Chris VandeVelde to Nashville for D Mattias Ekholm

This proposal doesn’t carry as much flash as the first one, but would ultimately get the Flyers down to 23 guys, while at the same offering a bit of wiggle room with the cap.

Ekholm makes just over $1 mil for this season, then this RFA will be looking for a new contract next summer.

Gudas will also be an RFA looking for a new contract next summer. He makes just over 990k this season. VandeVelde carries a $712,500 contract for two more years before becoming an UFA.

Like I said, nothing flashy here. Simply an all-around defensive upgrade for the Flyers.

The Predators have a stellar blue-line so a downgrade on Ekholm would have little to no effect.

The Preds do have a struggles with bottom six depth right now. They have some high-end prospect talent, but guys like Kevin Fiala need time in the AHL, and will be looking for top six roles.

Mar 3, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Islanders defenseman

Travis Hamonic

(3) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Trades D Nick Schultz & F Matt Read (may have to add draft pick/prospect) to NY Islanders for D Travis Hamonic

The Islanders could afford to move Hamonic with young guys like Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield pushing for roster spots and eventually additional ice-time. They have the depth like the Preds to make a downgrade.

You’d just have to find a way of convincing GM Garth Snow that he needs more top 9 talent right now. The Isles have pretty solid depth so that could be a tough sell.

The Isles Travis Hamonic carries a $3,857,142 cap hit that expires in 2020.

Flyers D Nick Schultz carries a $2,250,000 cap hit through 2016-17. F Matt Read has that $3,625,00 cap hit through 2017-18. This would open up a little under $2 mil worth of cap space for Philly. The Islanders would still have cap to work with.

Apr 18, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets defenseman

Dustin Byfuglien

(33) takes a shot on goal in the second period of game two of the first round of the the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia trades D Andrew MacDonald & F Brayden Schenn to Winnipeg for D Dustin Byfuglien

First of all, it’s worth noting through all this Byfuglien trade speculation, that he does have a no trade clause.

With Jacob Trouba emerging as the leader on the back-end for the Jets, it is conceivable that Byfuglien might be willing to waive that no trade clause.

Perhaps going into a situation where he’d be the #1 guy is the perfect recipe for earning that next big contract.

He would get that opportunity in Philly. And even better, Byfuglien’s style is perfect that historic broad street bully mentality. Byfuglien carries a cap hit just north of $5 mil for one more year.

Andrew MacDonald seemed to be one of a few guys on the hot seat this summer. The $5 mil cap hit that he carries through 2020 is a bit lucrative for what he brings to the table. But at the same time, he can be the recipient of unfair criticism as well.

He’s a quality two-way defenseman who’s coming off a bad season. Perhaps a change of scenery would be good for the 29-year-old defenseman. He could walk into Winnipeg and just need to be a good 2nd pair d-man.

Brayden Schenn carries a $2,500,000 cap hit for one more year before becoming an RFA next summer. B.Schenn is one of many Flyers players that have been rumored to be on the trade block. With the cap issues the Flyers are having, I’d imagine signing Brayden to an extension could prove difficult.

The Jets have a ton of NHL quality players. More than they can fit on the 23 man roster. But one problem remains. Lack of true 1st line talent.

The only two forwards currently on the roster with that type of potential is Mark Scheifele, who could emerge into a top line center this season. Also, newcomer Nikolaj Ehlers who has the potential in a year or two to take over first line duties.

While guys like Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler are excellent players. If the Jets want to be Cup Contenders, they need those type of players on the second line with higher production being offered by its top line. Brayden Schenn could fill that need.

Regardless of whether or not the Flyers trade rumors come to fruition, the fact is that the Flyers are one among many teams facing roster cut conundrums and cap issues. Some teams will need to shed cap before the regular season begins.

So odds are we are bound to see some trade movement over the next five days. How significant it may be, who knows?

Well Flyers fans, do you think there’s a trade that needs to be made? If so, who should be moved out (that a team might be willing to take)? Which player or position would you target in a trade? Let’s hear what you think.

Next: Bickell placed on Waivers

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