The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in an odd position heading into the trade deadline. They have pieces to move and yet are one of the hottest teams in the league. What does Philadelphia wind up doing come next Monday? Let’s take a look at what Philadelphia may or could do.
Philadelphia Flyers: Facts and figures…
Despite their run, Philadelphia remains around six points out of a wildcard spot with a quarter of a season left. The Flyers only have three teams to hop. As for other numbers, the salary cap is in the Philadelphia Flyers’ favor. They have $8 million in projected cap space and $33.4 million in current cap space. Basically, the team can do whatever it wants. Also, one spot is available from their active roster and four slots from their standard player contracts. Philadelphia carries ten draft picks in the 2019 NHL draft as well. Furthermore, they have Travis Sanheim and Ivan Provorov to qualify and sign. However, that is a worry for next season. This trade deadline features some choices that may need to be made.
What does Philadelphia do with Wayne Simmonds?
Wayne Simmonds traded to insert team name here. If this headline feels like a broken record, it probably is because it is. Simmonds enduring a down year has done little to slow down rumors. As a matter of fact, the forward is rumored to be courted by up to seven teams. A few of those teams include Boston, Tampa Bay, and Nashville. Several others popped up recently as well. It comes down to which team gives Chuck Fletcher the best deal. Could the Flyers use another first-round pick? Absolutely. Will they get one for Simmonds? That answer is unknown.
There are a few options for trade scenarios when it comes to Wayne Simmonds. A deal involving a prospect and pick is not out of the question. Would a second-round pick, prospect, and salary retention be a possibility? Supposedly, a deal predicated on that could occur. Salary retention is not a deal breaker but has a low chance of happening here. Simmonds earns less than $4 million AAV. Most teams pursuing the winger possess that kind of cap space.
Using the premise that a late-first round pick is like a second, maybe the price goes up closer to Monday and a team pulls the trigger. Remember the other names out there on the market. If the market were to suddenly dry up on the wing, Simmonds’ price could hit that level. Fletcher could get his first if that were to happen. However, that remains a low probability. Simmonds likely gets traded come next Monday. The where is up in the air.
What does Philadelphia do with Brian Elliott?
The Philadelphia Flyers employ three goalies on their top club. Carter Hart and Cam Talbot are the other two goaltenders. Elliott buried in the AHL would surprise few people. On the other hand, why not see if a pick could be obtained. The goalie serving as a backup somewhere could appeal to one of the contending teams. Plus, injuries have ravaged teams this year. If Ryan Miller is rumored to garner a mid-round pick, then maybe Elliott could come close. Even a late-round pick is better than nothing.
Consequently, if a deal cannot be reached, Philadelphia just buries Elliott and eats the little bit of cap space to end the season (less than $350,000 pro-rated). Chuck Fletcher will try hard to cast this asset out in the hopes someone takes the bait.
Could Philadelphia even buy or make a lateral move?
Again, what does a team need that has gone 13-2-1 over their previous 16 games? The possibilities are there as Philadelphia entertains the notion. Chuck Fletcher trying to not tamper with a good thing is almost as paramount. What would the Flyers even offer? Losing Simmonds hurts a bit but frees up other players. Losing Elliott helps for next season and could gain an asset. Fletcher may look for a depth move but nothing to disturb the core too much. Perhaps the Flyers search for a defenseman in the mold of a Ben Lovejoy perhaps. Whatever it would be, Fletcher expects not to make any kind of splash.
A final thought or two…
Whatever Philadelphia does will be involving the future more than the present. Would it be great if they made the playoffs, yes! Are they going to mortgage the world to do it? No. However, after the last couple games, the Philadelphia Flyers may consider selling another player or two.
