An injury to the Philadelphia Flyers’ blue line should not change the team’s plan to trade at least one defenseman by the NHL’s trade deadline on March 8.
Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek’s 32 Thoughts podcast Monday morning addressed a number of issues around the league including Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale leaving the game against the Penguins Sunday afternoon. Marek mentioned Drysdale leaving the ice while hoping for the best for the young blueliner. He also asked Friedman how this possible injury could change how Flyers General Manager Danny Briere approaches the deadline and namely Sean Walker and Nick Seeler.
“Look, I think this, the Philadelphia Flyers are still taking a big picture look at their organization,” Friedman said. “Assuming that’s the case, and I have no reason to believe that it isn’t the case, then I believe that it doesn’t change anything at all because what Daniel Briere should be thinking about is, ‘What’s my line to re-sign these two guys and what’s my line to trade these guys?’ And the answer is it should be unchanged based on Jamie Drysdale’s injury. Unless, the only way it changes is if the Flyers have decided they want to make the playoffs.”
Friedman then added a friend of his who happens to be a New Jersey Devils fan said if Walker and Seeler are traded, combined with a lengthy Drysdale injury, the Flyers could be caught by the Devils. “I admire the optimism,” Friedman said of the idea. “But if you’re Philadelphia unless you’ve decided we’re making the playoffs that shouldn’t change a thing. What you’re deciding with Seeler and Walker should have nothing to do with Drysdale’s injury. What this gives you is it gives you a chance to put another kid in the lineup and give them some chance to see what they can do. Or someone else has to take some more responsibility.”
Marek and Friedman then address what teams might be talking to Briere about acquiring both Seeler and Walker as a pair. Marek mentioned the Tampa Bay Lightning but was iffy on the credibility of the report but also mentioned the Toronto Maple Leafs as a possibility. But Friedman was lukewarm at best on the idea given the Leafs’ recent play of late despite not having Morgan Rielly due to suspension.
There are multiple teams that should be interested at least one of the Flyers’ pending unrestricted free agent defensemen in Walker and Seeler, and even Marc Staal, if we want to include him in the better duo. And according to this report, we should expect at least one of these defensemen moved for some prospects or draft picks to help this team’s future, in the coming days.
As of Monday morning there’s no word as to the extent of Drysdale’s injury. Drysdale was injured in the second period on a hit by the Penguins’ Jansen Harkins and did not return.
