Every year, the NHL trade deadline comes and goes, and names are bandied about like a beach ball at a rock concert.
For a losing team, though, there are a lot more players who end up churning through the rumor mill. The Flyers are in that situation, so we figured, why not talk about the whole team?
Yes, that's right, it's the whole team. One reason that each player could, should, or might get dealt at this trade deadline
Forwards
Sean Couturier - The Flyers captain can't score, but he's still defensively capable with some speedy backup on his line. A team that thinks it's on the cusp of a Cup may see him as a Jordan Staal-type, if the Flyers are willing to eat serious money, and he's willing to move, because he has that clause.
Travis Konecny - A player in his prime, Konecny also has term and presumably won't fall off the statistical cliff. He might not produce as much on a good team in a reduced role, but for a team looking for Brad Marchand lite, you can take a big swing. That no movement clause is very tricky, though.
Owen Tippett - He's having a good season, one that could be his best. If he's a 45 to 50 point kind of guy, that's ok because he's going to bring a physical element and is still one of the fastest players in the league. Heavy salary cap, sure, but he's a lock in the top 6 forward for what, the next decade? He's a player destined for a good team, not a rebuilding one. It's up to the Flyers to decide if they'll hold him until they become one.
Trevor Zegras - He's reestablished himself as a point-a-game type scoring threat with the right guys around him, and is a pending RFA. Really doesn't make sense for the Flyers to move him, but they'd get a great haul.
Christian Dvorak - He absolutely won't be traded, but he did prove himself capable of playing in a top 6 role. Teams crave center depth for playoff runs, and Dvorak is basically that. He's also really good in the face-off dot, which means a lot when you're struggling to break the 40-point barrier.
Noah Cates - He's a capable center. See Dvorak above. Now, where Cates might differ is that he's younger, cheaper, and well, neither has hit 40 points yet. Unfortunately, he's not fantastic in the faceoff dot.
Tyson Foerster - He's the walking wounded, so he's likely not going anywhere, but he's shown an ability to score goals. He had 10 in just 21 games this year and probably would've smashed his career high of 25. With the injury, though, maybe the Flyers and other teams have some concerns about his future. If the Flyers find a taker who doesn't, maybe this turns into a sell-high situation.
Garnet Hathaway - Tough bottom-six winger, Hathaway typically would be an easy trade if he could even remotely find the net. Want to trade a 7th round pick to healthy scratch a vet just in case you need someone to throw some hits?
Carl Grundstrom - You want an ideal 13th forward with some offensive pop? Come get Grundstrom, who basically comes free to the best-looking mid-round draft pick. He's already proved more than useful, and his usage is begging for an increase. He's a guy who could also make a splash on a rebuilding team.
Nicolas Deslauriers - A team that's willing to part with a draft pick for Deslauriers needs him to get through a rivalry series or to exact some revenge late in the year on another team.
Bobby Brink - E-X-P-E-N-D-A-B-L-E. Brink is a pretty good player. Could comfortably slot into the middle six of a lot of teams. Just good enough to be a throw-in for a bigger deal, or a pot sweetener with a nice draft pick.
Matvei Michkov - Here lies the scenario that gets Michkov. You get the #1 pick. It doesn't make any sense otherwise.
Nikita Grebenkin - He's been decent, but as a pending RFA, that easy team control is appealing. You would move him for a high pick, prospect, or someone who is a definite lineup fit.
Denver Barkey - Again, almost no reason to trade him, save for being able to include him as part of a package to pry a legitimate 1C or 1D from a team.
Defense
Travis Sanheim - He isn't a 1, but he could be an overpaid 2 or 3 that helps a team. The Flyers might have to eat salary, but as a Canadian Olympian, it is clear that there is a high opinion of the player. Strike while the iron is hot, and his value is high. The no-trade clause is probably an issue here, but maybe he gets a taste of winning in Italy.
Cam York - After signing a long extension and being instrumental in moving on from Tortorella, York going anywhere isn't probable. But if you're deciding to embrace the tank, then he's an asset to sell off that can net you some of your biggest possible returns.
Rasmus Ristolanien - He's still a name in the trade market, is still a pretty decent player, but just comes with a heavy price and injury concerns. You'd have to eat money, and throw in extra to move him. It might be worth it, because you have to clear spots for your young defensemen.
Jamie Drysdale - He's playing his best hockey and is an RFA. If Trevor Zegras gives you an indication that he's not planning on staying on a longer-term deal, you have to consider dealing with his buddy high. You have to get a good return, though, as Drysdale is proving he's a top 4 defender in this league.
Nick Seeler - Seels is a good soldier. Any team could use a bottom-pair guy like him, but it has to be to a contender that will overpay. His no-trade clause is still active, and as a competitor, he won't want to go to a losing squad.
Emil Andrae - An undersized defender and good story, Andrae seems to be on the outs with this coaching staff, and might need a change of scenery. As a pending RFA, he's got that going for him. A rebuilding team wants to take a chance on a more developed prospect. This is one you might want.
Noah Juulsen - A right-handed defender with decent NHL experience and en expering contract, Juulsen could get traded simply because he's easy to trade and it opens a spot. He's also making very little for NHL standards, which helps.
The Goalies
Dan Vladar - He's playing his best hockey, but also has experience being a backup. You could bring him in for whatever role you need, and he's under team control for another year at a decent number. If a team comes calling with a big enough offer, it's likely that the Flyers will be tempted.
Sam Ersson - A young goalie with a lot of experience, he's struggled this season, and might need a change of scenery. With the Flyers having a few goalie prospects coming up, a pending RFA in Ersson might be a guy to move so that he can get a late-season tryout with another team