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Value Investors Guide to Flyers Trades

By Walt Gebelein

Nov 9, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) skates during the warm-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek (93) skates during the warm-up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Best Player Today: Ryan Ellis, Flyers

Cap Advantage: Predators

Future Assets: Predators

Value: B-

This was a good deal for next season’s Flyers.  The team never quite recovered from the loss of Matt Niskanen and was in desperate need of a steady RHD. Ryan Ellis is just that. Ellis has been solid over his career, making one All Star team and never receiving a vote for the Norris Trophy.  Despite the lack of accolades, he is a plus player who is solidly reliable. Reliable is just what the Flyers and Provorov need.

The front office did a good job salvaging value from Nolan Patrick.  An offensive juggernaut in Juniors, Patrick managed only six even strength points this season and only 43 even strength shots. He played in 52 games.

He boasted a -30 plus/minus, by far a team low.  The Flyers even strength goal differential was minus 19, a differential encompassed in Patrick’s +/-. He is immensely talented, but his approach borders on sleepy. Last year’s Flyers would have been better off with a defensive center given Patrick’s lack of offensive production. Even sans Ellis, losing Patrick could be a case of addition by subtraction.

Losing Myers is more of a mixed bag. Myers did seem poised to take a step forward after the 2020 playoffs, but was erratic and many times just bad.  My guess is the condensed COVID scheduling and lack of practice time created a circumstance where Myers could not revisit and correct mistakes. It is possible that he will become a cornerstone player for the Predators but must play much more consistently than last year.

On it’s face, getting Ellis for Patrick and Myers was a feat of high wizardry by Fletcher. But there is the matter of Ellis’ contract. Ellis will be getting $6,250,000 until the year 2027, when he will be 36 years old. This trade may not age well and could look much worse by then.

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