Trade deadline outlook: Philadelphia Flyers
Buyers or Sellers?
Despite remaining in the postseason discussion, the talk swirling around the Philadelphia Flyers is that they will not mortgage the future just to make a push for the playoffs in 2015-16. So, while the fans may be buying into the direction the Flyers are heading, the team is expected to be sellers at the upcoming NHL trade deadline.
Philadelphia (26-22-11) likely will be interested in moving some veterans to free up ice time for both members of the existing roster as well as a few prospects who are cutting their teeth in Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League.
General manager Ron Hextall is on record as saying that he has "a vision for the future but we also have to be cognizant of knowing where we are today."
Team Needs
As strange as it sounds, the Flyers are dealing from a position of strength at defense - as blue-liners Ivan Provorov and Samuel Morin wait in the wings. Shayne Gostisbehere has been sensational since being recalled from the Phantoms, setting a franchise-best 15-game point streak for a rookie defenseman while inserting his name into the discussion for the Calder Trophy.
Now, the Flyers have a decision to make on Brayden Schenn. The former fifth overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings, Schenn is in the final season of the two-year contract he signed in the summer of 2014. A hot February has Schenn on the verge of setting a career high in goals this season as he has settled in nicely as a top-six forward on the team.
Which brings us to the Flyers' most glaring need: offense. Even with Schenn in the lineup, Philadelphia is in need of another top-six forward to ignite an offense that has languished near the bottom of the NHL this season. The Flyers have plenty of moving parts that could aid in drafting such a player, with the team likely looking to move either veteran defensemen or fourth-line forwards.
Key Players
Mark Streit
The Flyers would be wise to attempt to ship the 38-year-old defenseman, who will receive $2 million in salary and an additional $2 million signing bonus next season.
The blue-liner has the ability to quarterback the power play and could provide much-needed depth for a playoff contender. A second-round draft is perhaps the best Philadelphia can expect for his services, however.
Nick Schultz
Speaking of veteran defensemen, Schultz is more of the stay-at-home variety and could also provide depth for a playoff-contending team. The asking price for the 33-year-old with over 1,000 NHL games under his belt would likely be a second-round pick as well.
Matt Read
The bloom may be off the rose for Read, who showed promise by reaching the 20-goal plateau in two of his first three seasons before registering just eight in 2014-15. While the 29-year-old Read has eclipsed that total this season, his salary of $4 million in both 2015-16 and the following campaign could be more than Hextall wishes to digest.
Another second-round draft pick in return is about as much as the Flyers can expect for Read.
