Philadelphia Flyers Trade Option: Milan Lucic

Philadelphia Flyers Trade Option: Milan Lucic

This offseason, the Philadelphia Flyers must put a large percentage of their effort into improving the quality of talent at the left wing position. Looking at the left-wingers who will be searching for new contracts this summer, it does not look like Ron Hextall will be able to solve this problem through free agency. He must head to the trade market and hope that a team is willing to deal away a quality left-winger who could impact the Flyers franchise immediately.

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The Boston Bruins just might have what Philadelphia is looking for. Eight-year veteran, Milan Lucic, will be a free agent at the end of the 2015-2016 and there is no guarantee that Boston will be able to re-sign him. Afraid of letting Lucic walk and receiving nothing in return, the Bruins may look to deal him away. Boston finds themselves in a difficult position this offseason where it may be time for Don Sweeney to send the black and gold into rebuild mode. If this is the case, Hextall needs to get on the phone and see if the two general managers can help each other out.

The Flyers would kill to have a power-forward left-winger as talented as Lucic on their roster. In 566 games with the Bruins, Lucic has tallied 342 points, 139 goals, and 203 assists. He is a tough player who is not afraid to get down and dirty for his team. His style of play truly has Flyer written all over it, and he would help bring some toughness back to Philadelphia. If the Flyers end up drafting Lawson Crouse in the first round, it would be great for Philadelphia to have the guy the youngster mirrors his game after on the roster.

Mar 29, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic (17) battles for the loose puck against the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen Brett Bellemore (73) and forward Brad Malone (24) during the 1st period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins are in desperate need of younger, quicker, and more talented players on the blue-line. Hextall could possibly send one of Philadelphia’s defensive prospects in a package for Lucic. In addition to young defensive talent, the Bruins could also use a big and strong defensemen in the prime of his career. Now there may be some argument to whether Luke Schenn is in the prime of his career; but he does have the big and strong thing down. It also would not kill the Flyers to add their first-round pick from Tampa Bay to the deal as well. Now it would be nice if the Bruins would take Lecavalier; but it is highly unlikely unless Vinny assured Boston that he would retire at the end of next season.

Milan Lucic is set to make $6.5M next season. Now this is nowhere near doable for Philadelphia unless they can shed some bad contracts of their own. That is why Hextall would try to attach at player like Lecavalier to a deal. Lucic will get a decent-sized contract next offseason; but I feel that he is worth the money. Having him on a line with Giroux and Voracek would be deadly. If the Flyers felt like they would be able to get Lucic to agree to an extension, they would be crazy to not at least make a call to Boston and try to get Milan in orange and black by the start of next season.

Next: Free Agent Target: Cody Franson

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