Who could interest the Philadelphia Flyers at the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline?
For the first time during his albeit brief tenure as General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, Chuck Fletcher is in a real position to buy at the Trade Deadline. Around this time last season, the Flyers were on the outside looking in on the playoff bubble, not really ever posing as a genuine threat to earn a spot in the postseason. Fletcher went on to sell Wayne Simmonds to the Nashville Predators knowing full-well that going after rentals wouldn’t be wise for the team, and Philadelphia missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Things are different this time around, however. At the time this was written, the Orange and Black were third in the Metro, holding a two-point lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets and three-point advantage over the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes. They’re also a mere three points back of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins for first in the division, showing just how close the race for an Eastern Conference playoff position with under two months to go in the regular season.
While the current makeup of the Flyers roster is fine as it stands, there are always areas that can be improved upon. No team is ever a “perfect” one, and those vying for a shot at the Stanley Cup see the deadline as an opportunity to push themselves in the dance for league supremacy. Philadelphia’s in a position to do the same this year, though their lack of cap space could prevent the club from getting one of the more prominent names on the market unless Fletcher’s willing to depart with players who are at the NHL level.
Having said that, I think that the Flyers could use a new addition to their Bottom-6 forward group. Though I’m a fan of the Connor Bunnaman‘s and Michael Raffl‘s of the world, both are guys who are replaceable, for lack of a better term, and could be options for the healthy scratch if Fletcher brings in a more productive two-way skater. I also believe they could use a more serviceable talent in their defensive core, but I’m content with how the blue line has played lately, making the forward a more pressing need. For that reason, this list will contain only forwards, leading me into my first trade target for the Fly Guys.