Philadelphia Flyers Trade Options: Jeff Skinner
There has been some murmurings of late about the Carolina Hurricanes shopping around their young star forward Jeff Skinner. Yet, is he still a star?
More from Flyers News
- 5 Philadelphia Flyers training camp battles to watch
- Brent Flahr gives updates on Matvei Michkov, other Flyers prospects
- Flyers could strike trade for blossoming Senators star
- Ex-NHLer: Flyers experiencing the “Keith Jones effect”
- Mark Recchi to be inducted into Flyers Hall of Fame
It has been a long time since Skinner came into the league and tore it up, but ever since he’s been plagued by injuries and mediocre play. Two seasons ago he played great, in what seemed like the comeback of the old Skinner with a 33 goal and 54 point season. Last year, he took an elbow to the head in preseason and received his third concussion in as many years. This could have explained the rest of his season, which was an unflattering 18 goal and 31 point season through 77 games.
This is not the Jeff Skinner the Canes want to see, and this would explain their desire to move him before his value could potentially drop anymore, IF they’re actually trying to move him. I believe they are, and if some of the rumors are true that the Flyers are pretty interested in him then we have ourselves a trade watch.
First things first, lets look at Jeff Skinner’s stats over the years:
You can see he has been up and down ever since his great rookie year. The Flyers do not necessarily have any forwards that have problems with recurring injuries, so taking on Skinner for the right price wouldn’t be too much of a gamble for the team’s success overall.
What would be a gamble, however, is what they would give up in return. The Flyers have many assets that would be worthy of a trade like this, but how much is enough? If I were a betting man, and I sort of am, I would bet the Hurricanes are selling low on Skinner. They probably would like one nice piece with a bunch of small pieces to go along with it.
This what I think a deal could be, which is obviously just hypothetical:
Carolina Send to the Flyers:
- Jeff Skinner – $5.725 Mil. over next 4 seasons
- 2016 3rd Round Pick (WPG Jets Pick, not the Canes Pick)
Flyers Send to Carolina:
- Matt Read – $3.625 Mil. over next 3 seasons
- Luke Schenn – $3.600 Mil. next season (UFA after)
- Nick Cousins – $811,677 next season (RFA after)
- 2016 2nd Round Draft Pick (Flyers Pick, not one acquired from Blackhawks)
- 2016 6th Round Draft Pick (LA Kings Pick, not Flyers pick)
This deal is probably close to what it would take to acquire Skinner’s services for the foreseeable future. Would Carolina take it? Probably, they get a lot of value back for a player they believe is on a downward trend. The Flyers, on the other hand, clear up $1.5 Million in cap, and open up a roster spot for Scott Laughton and a defensive prospect to join the main squad.
Its always a lot more complicated than that, so it probably wont happen. Ron Hextall doesn’t like giving up draft picks, which could potentially turn into young star players if used right. Carolina is also looking for a deal to smack them right in the face and say “take me”, so it’s impossible to tell if a deal like this would knock their socks off.
We’ll just have to wait and see. Carolina has been asking around since before the draft, so they may make a move before the season starts. This is definitely an exciting proposition, since a Skinner – Giroux – Voracek line would be incredibly dangerous and exciting. Yet, it still might just be a dream.
Next: The Flyers' Top 10 Prospects