The Philadelphia Flyers might be one of the biggest sellers at this Friday’s trade deadline, but according to a recent report, they might be also bringing some players in.
On Monday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman expanded on what the Flyers might do this week before Friday’s trade deadline. And interestingly enough, one specific name was mentioned that this team could be bringing into the fold.
“Philly might be doing a little bit of adding,” Friedman said. “And this to me is the real tell. I’m not talking big adds — unless it’s going to be a player that is going to be there for a long time. I do think that Philly has taken a look at Zegras. I just don’t know if they have what Anaheim wants. I don’t know if there is a fit there. Or, [don’t know] if they’re willing to pay what Anaheim wants. I don’t know if there is a match there, but I think they have looked at it.”
Trevor Zegras, 22, is one of the NHL’s most electric stars but has suffered a bit of an injury-related setback this season, having played just 20 games and scoring seven points through them. Once thought as a cornerstone of the Ducks’ future success, there have been recent rumors of them trying to cut bait and see if they want to move on from the player for pieces that can help them even further down the line.
Naturally, the Flyers are involved. Not only would Zegras fit their timeline of success and give them a top-six center of the future, but he is known to be very good friends with former teammate Jamie Drysdale (who the Flyers acquired from the Ducks in exchange for Cutter Gauthier) and blueliner Cam York.
Could we see the trio who loves to spend their summers together, start a whole new chapter in Philadelphia? Maybe.
As Friedman reported, maybe the Flyers just don’t want to pay the price that it would take to acquire Zegras at this time. This is a potential top-line forward for the next decade, and they would most likely have to part with some prospects they have developed and draft picks that they thought would be part of this team’s steady rebuilding process. Maybe, just maybe, they don’t want to get too greedy and try to accelerate this rebuild plan.
Additionally, Friedman touched on other plans at this deadline.
“I have wondered if Philly takes a couple small looks at goal and maybe a veteran forward,” he siad. “Cheap, inexpensive price. That’s why someone like Martin Jones is not put on waivers in Toronto, because they know someone like Philly, he’s not getting by them. And I’ve heard they’re looking for an inexpensive, and not high-price, veteran forward too.”
The Flyers do need a backup goaltender — or just anyone to support or play in an adequate tandem with Sam Ersson — and getting some additional scoring down the stretch as this supposedly rebuilding team is vying for a playoff spot, wouldn’t hurt either.
In terms of the current Flyers that could find themselves on other teams, there is no new information coming from Friedman. Defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler are in a current standstill, as general manager Danny Briere gets to know where they stand in terms of contract extension desires, and what they could get in a trade before Friday. For veteran forward Scott Laughton, it’s the same ol’ news — the price is very high for a contender to pry him away from Philadelphia.
No matter what, the Flyers seem to be exploring every single option they have in front of them and it will make for an interesting next few days.
