Flyers’ ideal NHL trade deadline scenario for 2024.

This season’s most unexpected NHL team may be the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division and are on pace to score 97 points this season, following a 75-point campaign that saw them finish with the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

Teams in this position would usually go all out and add players to the roster to guarantee that they would make the playoffs and possibly even make a run at them come late April. The Flyers are in a unique situation, though, as the team’s top front-office executives have repeatedly stated throughout the season that Philadelphia is still focused on rebuilding for the long term in order to keep the team competitive and challenging for titles.

Based on the statements made by head coach John Tortorella and general manager Danny Briere, the Flyers are open to considering any offers for nearly every player in the organization. Philly desires additional resources, especially draft picks, in order to expedite the rebuilding process. However, the Flyers will be astute businesspeople and will probably want to take actions that will help them going forward rather than sapping their current season’s momentum.

While there won’t be a player firesale in Philadelphia, the Flyers do have a number of players they can trade for prospects and draft picks. The Flyers and their supporters will be ecstatic going into the season’s final stretch if these trades go through.

The sensible thing to do
The general consensus in the NHL rumor mill is that Sean Walker, a defenseman, is the player the Flyers are most likely to trade. The 29-year-old, who was acquired via trade last summer, is without a Philly history and is on an expiring contract. Due to his improved play this season, he is once again a top trade candidate, and teams are already expressing interest in him.

Walker, who has participated in all 54 games and is on track to set career highs in goals, assists, and points, is possibly having the best season of his NHL career. Despite playing close to 20 minutes a game, he has five goals, 14 assists, and a +8 rating.