Three Targets For Flyers At 2020 NHL Trade Deadline
Trade Target Number One: F Barclay Goodrow
Among the players I’d like to see Fletcher acquire before the 3 pm EST deadline on Monday, Barclay Goodrow is one of the more intriguing options. The San Jose Sharks forward checks nearly all of the boxes in what I’d be looking for if I were GM of the Flyers, possessing the capability to positively contribute in the offensive and defensive zones, as well as on the penalty kill.
Goodrow’s been one of the lone bright spots in what’s been a disaster of a year for San Jose, building a career season offensively with 24 points in 61 games. He’s adequately capitalized on a near five-minute increase in average Time on Ice (TOI), putting himself on pace for just under 32 points if he plays in all 82 games, which would be the highest of his NHL tenure. Goodrow also isn’t afraid to shoot the puck, as he’s on track for well-over 100 shots this year, and, on a Flyers team that’s full of gifted playmakers, would be a solid fit on a line with anybody.
Defensively, Goodrow’s been a critical piece on the Sharks shorthanded unit, averaging 2:29 minutes of TOI while down a man. That ranks first among all forwards on the team and fourth overall, which shows the amount of trust San Jose’s coaching staff has in his abilities in covering his own end. Additionally, Goodrow’s physical play-style and 6’2 frame help him win board battles and has the hustle that makes him a willing participant in the fore-and-backcheck.
The only question regarding Goodrow is if San Jose will want to move him. Sure, the Sharks are bad this year, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference, but that doesn’t mean they have to blow everything up and start from scratch, especially with games left in the campaign. Goodrow himself is also only 26, has another year left on his contract at a 925k per, can play either center or wing, and possesses a skill set that most teams love to have in their Bottom-6 and Top-9. That’s a valuable piece for any squad. However, if the Sharks were to deal Goodrow, he’d likely fetch a decent return, but one that could be worth it for the Flyers.
Trade Target Number Two: F Tyler Ennis
Looking at the cheaper side of the rental market, Tyler Ennis could be an exciting option for Philadelphia. The Ottawa Senators forward can provide the Flyers with an offensive spark in their lower lines, but doesn’t come without a bit of risk.
Focusing on the positive side of the spectrum first, there’s no denying that Ennis is a gifted player in the attacking zone. The 5’9 forward’s netted 33 points in 61 games this season and has produced at a 0.40+ rate in seven of his eleven years in the NHL, doing so in a third line capacity in most years. Ennis has generated an above-average amount of shot rates for around the front of the net at 5v5, too, making for a threat level of 12%, according to Hockey Viz. Putting someone with his speed and offensive prowess next to a James van Riemsdyk or Scott Laughton would give the Flyers one helluva third combination, one that would continue to aid them in the depth scoring department.
My only concern regarding Ennis on the ice is his durability. The 30-year-old has played in a full 82-game campaign just one time in his previous 11 years and over 70 contests in four of them. The best type of ability is availability, and I’d be skeptical of giving up assets for a guy who might not make it through or even to the playoffs. Be that as it may, Ennis has a cheap enough contract for the Flyers to take on, would improve the forward unit, and shouldn’t break the bank in terms of a return. All of those benefits could be enough for Fletcher to overlook his injury history.
Trade Target Number Three: F Jean-Gabriel Pageau
If Fletcher opts to go big and splurge at this year’s deadline, Jean-Gabriel Pageau would be an excellent fit in the City of Brotherly Love. The centerman has had a knack for scoring goals with the Senators this year and, as I mentioned in a previous slide, would be a welcomed presence on a Philadelphia team that likes to pass the puck.
Like Goodrow, Pageau is having one of his best seasons since entering the NHL during the 2012-13 campaign, posting 40 points in 60 games to lead all Ottawa players in scoring on the year. His 24 goal total also sits first among all Senators and would lead every Flyer by at least a three-goal margin if he were on the team. Pageau adds a decent set of defensive skills, too, with the ability to log significant minutes while shorthanded. I likely don’t need to tell you why adding a talented two-way skater like Pageau would benefit the Flyers as putting a near 25+ goal scorer
However, to get great talent, you have to depart with great talent, and I’m not sure Fletcher will want to meet the price that Pageau will potentially cost. Ottawa may wish to acquire a first-rounder and then some in return for the Canadian center, which might be a little too pricey for a 20+ game rental. The Flyers don’t have enough money to take on Pageau’s full contract, either, so they’d have to part a roster player or cough up more assets to get the Sens to eat some of his salary. Even with all of that, it could still be worth adding a player of Pageau’s ilk, as there aren’t a whole lot of players on the trading block that fits with this team better on paper.
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Would you like to see any of the players mentioned above make their way to Philadelphia? If not, who would you rather have Fletcher obtain at the deadline? Be sure to comment below!