The NHL roster freeze is in effect which means teams around the league can not partake in any trades. But that doesn't mean conversations haven't been had and won't continue to happen during this time.
A few deals around the league have been made early in the season and rumors aren't slowing down any time soon. The Flyers have pulled off a trade of their own this season, though it was a minor one involving Ronnie Attard. But they could be a team that is looking to make more changes to their roster.
"I think Briere is another guy who's really looking out there. What can I do here? I think he's an active guy. He's very much a "what can I do here guy? How can I make my group better? What's out there?" I think he's one of those guys too," Elliotte Friedman said on a recent episode of 32 Thoughts.
Frank Seravalli leaned in even deeper to say that he believes the Flyers and Kings have had conversations surrounding some of Philadelphia's forwards.
"I don't think it's dead, but I do think they talked to the Flyers about some of the forwards that they have," Seravalli said on the DFO Rundown. "I think there’s a whole group of guys that teams have been calling about. Frost, Farabee, Scott Laughton, Bobby Brink. The one guy that they’re not willing to entertain a conversation on is Tyson Foerster.”
The Flyers Trade Options
All four of those names are not a surprise to hear tossed around in a trade rumor. Brink is the most intriguing option as he has been in the doghouse plenty of times this season. He's seen his ice time cut on numerous occasions and has been a healthy scratch at times. If the Kings want a more proven scorer, Brink might not be their choice. But he is one of the more likely options for the Flyers to move on from if they can find an upgrade at the center position.
Frost has been in trade rumors constantly over the last few years. He's been in and out of trouble with John Tortorella and hasn't been able to find the consistency this team wants to see from him. Tortorella also didn't shy away from mentioning that he doesn't believe Frost is the right center for Matvei Michkov either. However, none of the Flyers' current options might work.
Farabee's name has been a recent addition to rumors. His 5M contract isn't a hard deal for teams to take on if they want a more veteran-like player. He's had a slow year offensively, though he's been given plenty of chances to produce. He hasn't found himself on Tortorella's bad side despite the lack of offense. But if a team is willing to bite, could they trade him?
Laughton's value has been spoken of numerous times and the Flyers have expressed their lack of desire to move on from the veteran forward. He means too much to their room and they've openly said it would take an overpay to move on from him. It's unlikely the Kings will do that.
Brink is an intriguing option as he has been in the doghouse just as much as Frost, maybe even more. He's seen his ice time cut on numerous occasions and has been a healthy scratch at times. If the Kings want a more proven scorer, Brink might not be their choice. But he is one of the more likely options for the Flyers to move on from if they can find an upgrade at the center position.
The Kings Trade Options
So if that's who the Kings may have been looking at, who could the Flyers want in return? Alex Turcotte could be one option. He's currently getting a chance on the top line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. And he's producing with the lift in ice time.
Prior to the promotion and injury of Trevor Moore, Turcotte had two goals and nine points in 24 games. He was averaging under 12 minutes of ice time. Since then, he's played over 16 minutes and has two goals and four points in three games. He recorded an assist in the Kings' win against Philadelphia a few days ago.
His recent emergence could make it unlikely that the Kings would be willing to move on from the 2019 first-round pick. But anything can change, especially once Moore returns from injury.
There was a time when Quinton Byfield might have been an option. But the Kings committed to him over the summer with a five-year deal. He has underperformed this season, posting just six goals and 15 points in 33 games. Would the Kings move on from him that soon after signing him to the long-term deal? Depends on what they could get from the Flyers in return. It likely wouldn't be cheap.
If the Flyers make a deal with the Kings, they're looking to receive a center in return. The Kings' other current centers are Samuel Helenius, who has 17 NHL games under his belt, and Phillip Danault, who has three goals in 33 games. Those two most likely aren't on the team's radar.
The trade deadline is a few months away and plenty of things could change between now and then. For now, it looks like conversations have been had and could continue to happen. The Flyers aren't in a "win-now" mode but do want to find their way back to a contending status.
Briere has been tactical in the moves that he has made. We'll see if this one comes to fruition.