Could Flyers Fans Be Dining on Pasta?

This has already been a fun offseason and nothing has really happened yet for many NHL teams. As the Flyers could have their new head coach, two Eastern Conference rivals could be having some turmoil. The Pittsburgh Penguins could be facing a future where Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin may walk as free agents this year.  This could be very appealing to Flyers fans.

Another rival is little further north: the Boston Bruins. The Bruins have already lost their head coach, Bruce Cassidy. Patrice Bergeron, after winning a record fifth Selke Trophy, is mulling retirement. Brad Marchand is going to miss some time after a major hip surgery.  And then there is David Pastrnak.

Pastrnak is on the final year of a five year deal that he signed with the Bruins. The Bruins also are capped out right now, having only about half a million in cap space left, good for fourth worst. Rumors are afloat that Pastrnak is not happy with Bruins current GM, Don Sweeney. If these rumors are true, than the Flyers should absolutely jump on this with eyes closed and arms wide open.

Sweeney has been the GM of the Bruins since 2015. He played 14 of his 15 years in the NHL donning the gold and black. He inherited a team that had failed to make the playoffs after winning the Stanley Cup on 2011 and losing in the finals in 2013.  Since then, Sweeney has had mixed results as GM.

Out of six first round picks, the only one who has made an impact is defender Charlie McAvoy, who is also recovering from offseason injury. He traded away Dougie Hamilton to the Flames and Milian Lucic to the Kings. He allowed Torey Krug and David Krejci to walk away in free agency. Meanwhile, the team has made only one trip to the Stanley Cup, in 2019 when they fell to the Blues.

Pastrnak has seen an organization rise and fall during his career. Many of the players that helped turn the team into a juggernaut were allowed to go their own ways without much consideration. Krug and Krejci, in particular, were very close with Pastrnak. If his linemate, Bergeron, decides to retire, there might not be a reason for him to stick around.

Since 2016-17, Pastrnak has scored 215 goals. That’s the fifth most goals in the league, behind only: Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid. That’s really good company to be with. IF, and that’s a big if, he is disgruntled and doesn’t want to play in Boston anymore, this is an opportunity the Flyers should pounce on.

He is 26 years old. He is hitting his stride and could, barring injuries, be dominant over the next 7-10 years. If you can combine acquiring Pastrnak with getting someone like Johnny Gaudreau as a free agent, this immediately puts the Flyers in Stanley Cup contention.

If you’ve seen him play against the Flyers over the last few years, you’ve seen how he chews this team up. He has 19 goals and 12 assists in his career in 25 games against Philly. Although, to be honest with you, it always seems like he is scoring, has just scored, or has set up a play for someone else to score. I’m tired of seeing him hurt us. So, let’s grab him!

What would it take to get him? For starters, the fifth overall pick this year would have to be included. It might also take at least another first rounder or two, if not some other picks as well. Likewise, you may have to move a player like JVR or Konecny to get him or some high value prospects. Getting Pastrnak  now would put the Flyers at the cap limit. Signing him to an extension would put further stress on the salary cap; especially if paired up with Gaudreau.

But instead of getting a guy who may or may not help in a few seasons for a bona-fide stud, now could be worth it. This is the equivalent of the Eagles trading for AJ Brown. You gotta swing for the fences…or in this case, shoot the puck and see what happens. Outside of the top two picks, there are few people in this draft that hockey experts are expecting to make an impact in this upcoming season. Pastrnak can do that now.

IF the rumors are true that Pastrnak wants out in Boston, he is a game changer. Seeing him on a line with Kevin Hayes and Travis Konecny or Sean Courtier and Cam Atkinson would help this team dominate the Metro. You gotta make that call Chuck Fletcher! See what it would take. I guarantee it would be worth it.