Projected by experts to miss the post-season entering 2022-23, the Philadelphia Flyers are 3-0-0 to start the season under coach John Tortorella. Nevertheless, they could once again become a seller by the March 3 trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention by then.
Travis Sanheim had come up as a trade candidate earlier this month. However, he’s now part of their long-term plans after signing an eight-year, $50-million contract extension last Thursday.
The Philadelphia Inquirer‘s Gustav Elgin recently suggested James van Riemsdyk as a likely trade candidate. Slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July, the 33-year-old winger carries a cap hit of $7 million. Cap Friendly indicates he also lacks no-trade protection.
Philly Hockey Now’s Sam Carchidi shared Elgin’s opinion of van Riemsdyk getting shopped before deadline day. He suggested Justin Braun could also end up on the move.
Like van Riemsdyk, Braun is due to become a UFA next summer. Carchidi reminded us that the Flyers dealt him to the New York Rangers at last season’s deadline for a third-round pick in 2023. They brought him back in July on a one-year, $1-million contract.
Elgin also speculated the Flyers could shake things up if this turns into a rebuilding year. He observed that winger Travis Konecny and defenseman Ivan Provorov have turned up in trade rumors over the last couple of years.
Konecny and Provorov would have more value in the trade market than van Riemsdyk and Braun. The 25-year-olds are both signed through 2024-25 with Konecny earning an average annual value of $5.5 million while Provorov’s is $6.75 million. They also lack no-trade protection.
