PHILADELPHIA, Pa – The Philadelphia Flyers are in a precarious position these days. Six points separate the Flyers from the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. That’s the good news. The bad news is the Flyers still have to pass two teams to get to that spot and the team currently occupying that spot, the Columbus Blue Jackets, have a game in hand.
Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers soars over Defenseman Mike Green (#25) of the Detroit Red Wings
This only 22 games left in the season, the NHL trade deadline coming up on Monday, and one of the Flyers best players, right winger Wayne Simmonds, about to become an unrestricted free agent, GM Chuck Fletcher has a huge decision to make. If you’ve read any of my articles in the past to me this is an easy decision to make.
The Flyers next two games this week before the deadline are against two teams that are also teams that the Flyers are chasing: The Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both games will help Fletcher make the decision of whether or not the Flyers are buyers or sellers. Losing both games would help Fletcher make the decision for him, especially coming off a reality check game where the Flyers lost 5-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
When former General Manager Ron Hextall was fired, Chairman & CEO Dave Scott bragged about how he couldn’t wait until the NHL trade deadline. Well Mr. Scott, guess what time it is? It is time for a reality check. Unless the Flyers win both games and gain at least two points in the process, the Flyers need to not only be sellers, but they need to clean house.
A month ago the Flyers had the league’s worst point total. Back then being a buyer never came into the conversation. Since then the Flyers called up goaltender Carter Hart and he almost singlehandedly gave the Flyers a shot in the arm and a chance. But losses to Montreal and Pittsburgh would almost certainly kill the Flyers chances.
Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots the puck under the crossbar and into the net against Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Michael Raffl is another UFA who needs to follow Jordan Weal and Dale Weise out the door. Andrew MacDonald and Radko Gudas both have another year left on their contracts. Shayne Gostisbehere is under contract but his play has come under some scrutiny. He could be moved as part of a package to land an anchor for the blueline that is very young and need someone to stabilize it.
There are some very good prospects already in the system now and quite a few of them are either NHL ready next season or a season away. It’s time to blow up the core, and Simonds is only a part of it. It’s time for the new core to take over. That means not trading away what Hextall already built. They should be helped by whatever the Flyers get in this year’s draft, and if they can somehow get at least a first round pick or a top prospect from another organization. Even if the Flyers finish with the last non-playoff position they should be in a very good spot considering it will be a very forward heavy draft.
The Flyers could add another piece to their blueline or add a scoring winger. Both should be available to them at say pick 14 or 15. The good news is the Flyers strength is down the middle of the ice. The Flyers lead the league in face-off percentage (56.5) but most of the centers are the core of the team and they are the best assets in a trade. The Flyers best prospects are centers (Morgan Frost, German Rubtsov, and Mikhail Vorobyov) so trading a core player might not hurt the team as it would have in years past.
Right Wing Jake Virtanen (#18) of the Vancouver Canucks and Defenseman Robert Hagg (#8) of the Philadelphia Flyers square of in the third period.
This year’s draft looks to be very top heavy for forwards. The Flyers biggest need is an anchor on defense. The Flyers have drafted well at left wing and with the potential departure of Simmonds right wing could become a higher priority than left wing and center.
If the Flyers can somehow get into one of the top three picks thanks to the draft lottery, Jack Hughes is the top prize but Dylan Cozens who can play center or wing, Kappo Kakko (RW) just came of a very good showing at the World Junior Championships. Vasily Podkolzin is also an RW and would bring a ton of speed and skill with him and would complement Morgan Frost and his skill set in a huge way once they make the team.
Forward wise keep your eye on Raphael Lavoie, Trevor Zegras, Mathew Boldy, Brett Leason, Cole Caufield, and Arthur Kaliyev. If the Flyers decide to go defense Philip Broberg and Bowen Byram are slated to go high in the draft. If the Flyers decide to draft Broberg or countryman Victor Soderstrom, keep in mind the Flyers already drafted Swedish defenseman Adam Ginning last season.
The future seems to be a lot brighter than it was a month ago, and that is saying something. There is a light at the end of the tunnel but it is not a train. There is a heartbeat and its first name is Carter. Next season just might be a good time to fill some of those empty seats next season.
Edmonton Oilers Goalie Cam Talbot (#33), Center Nolan Patrick (#19) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Defenseman Kevin Gravel (#5) of the Edmonton Oilers
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22. All images by Lewis/Bleiman@prohockeynews.com
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