Christmas is over and New Years will soon be upon us. After that is just a month away until the All-Star Game festivities. Before you know it, the NHL trade deadline will be here. Depending on how the Philadelphia Flyers perform over the next eight weeks, we'll see which players the team holds onto and which ones the Flyers decide to part ways with.
Just as we did before with a look at the defenders, we will rate the Flyers forwards on three categories: chances the Flyers would trade them, chances the Flyers could get something of good value, and the desirability of them on the market.
Nic Deslauriers
Deslauriers has appeared in seven games all season and has not hit the ice since early November. He has been on the IR list, but even then he hasn't played much to begin with. With Garnet Hathaway taking his job as the Flyers' big bruiser who can also score, he has no place on this roster anymore. Let's be honest, outside of his fun fights, have you missed him?
With all that said, he could bring in something. He's cheap with $1.75 million for this year and next year. He brings a physicality that playoff teams may need. He's also a veteran that people respect. He's not going to fetch much by himself: a low-level prospect or draft pick. As a thrown-in, he may be more valuable. I just can't see him playing here in Philly much longer.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 8 of 10
Get Good Return: 2 of 10
Desirability: 6 of 10
Morgan Frost
This is the big enigma. Frost has talent, at times. On a team filled with streaky players, he is among the streakiest. He goes on hot streaks and then gets really cold. He has also been benched a lot by John Tortorella. There is a lot of speculation that he and Tortorella don't jive together. Both have claimed that isn't the case. You can decide on what the truth is.
When he is hot, there are few better. He is young and can still become something good. However, his cold streaks and his defensive liabilities make him really frustrating. There has also been speculation for the last few seasons that he could be traded. Even then, would another team offer a fair deal if he wants off?
Frost will be an RFA at the end of the season. That could entice another team to make a move. He'd be cheap for this year. If he does well, make him an offer. If not, cut ties and let him go. The real question is, can the Flyers get a lot for him? It will really depend on if there is a bidding war for his services. At the same time, he is someone the team could extend.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 3 of 10 OR 8 of 10
Get Good Return: 2 of 10 OR 7 of 10
Desirability: 7 of 10
Joel Farabee
As long as we are talking about frustrating players who are streaky, here is Farabee. Much like Frost, he has been benched because of perceived poor play. Much like Frost, here is a guy who has been accused of expressing displeasure about his role on the team and his coach. This is another player that rumors swirl around like dandelion seeds on a summer day.
And yet, here is a guy who has bounced back from injuries. Here is a player who can score at will, and then go cold. A lot of what has been said about Frost can be stated here. The difference is that Farabee still has three more years on his contract at $5 million. Still, if he is traded, it will probably come at his demands and the Flyers won't get as much. Can't deny the talent. Flyers would most likely have to eat a lot of that salary though.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 4 of 10
Get Good Return: 4 of 10
Desirability: 7 of 10
Bobby Brink
At this point, Brink is not going to be a top-six forward. He doesn't have to be. As long as he is contributing on the third line, either defensively or offensively, he will find a home here.
As someone who has trade value, it would be more of an add-on. He's most likely safe unless the coach just gets tired of something that Brink keeps doing or not doing. His biggest asset is his youth and he can still grow.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 2 of 10
Get Good Return: 2 of 10
Desirability: 4 of 10
Olle Lycksell
Lycksell is constantly up and down, bouncing back and forth between here and Allentown. He has yet to achieve the same success with the Flyers that he has shown with the Phantoms. And to be honest, that could be his fate. He could be one of those guys who just becomes a really solid AHL player with limited NHL experience. The problem is that the Flyers have a lot of those guys there. I really can't see any team making an offer for him unless he is thrown in on a deal.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 3 of 10
Get Good Return: 1 of 10
Desirability: 1 of 10
Noah Cates
Cates is currently riding a goal-scoring streak. He is one of Tortorella's favorites because of his work ethic and commitment to do what he is told to do. He shows flashes of offense but is an outstanding defensive forward. He will be an RFA next year and will most likely be extended.
Cates has shown he can be an effective center on all four lines. That versatility makes him very desirable and his services could easily be in high demand. I just can't see the Flyers letting go of him unless a major offer is made. He is one of the pieces that this team will build around.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 8 of 10
Desirability: 8 of 10
Garnet Hathaway
Hathaway brings a physicality to the ice this team needs. However, unlike the aforementioned Deslauriers, he can score. He has teamed up will with Ryan Poehling into making one heck of a fourth line. He loves playing in Philly and has two more years on his contract. Unless some team wants him, I can't see him moving out.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 3 of 10
Desirability: 5 of 10
Ryan Poehling
The Flyers took a chance on Poehling who had been cast away by the Penguins. He responded with a breakout year of 11 goals in a bottom-six role. While his scoring is down, it's down for pretty much all of the players on this team this year. He is still a solid player who is well-liked by the coaching staff and teammates. He's not going anywhere.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 2 of 10
Get Good Return: 5 of 10
Desirability: 5 of 10
Tyson Foerster
Foerster may have recently found his scoring touch, which the Flyers could really use right now. He's been cold for most of the season, but he was a surprise 20-goal scorer last season. He is also an RFA coming up. Unless the Flyers trade him, he could be a great candidate for an extension. He is also just 22 years old and has a lot of room to grow and time to learn.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 8 of 10
Desirability: 8 of 10
Scott Laughton
Laughton is another guy that has come up a lot in trade rumors over the last few years. How true are these rumors? I don't know for sure. A lot of it could be speculation. Tortorella likes him a lot and he is the soul of his team (with Sean Couturier being the heart).
Still, Daniel Briere is trying to improve this team and is open to anything. Previous rumors had a price tag of multiple first-round picks and/or top prospects for his services. For a guy with a $3 million salary for one more season, that could be a deal worth accepting.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 6 of 10
Get Good Return: 8 of 10
Desirability: 8 of 10
Sean Couturier
Couturier is signed on to be a Flyer until the end of the decade. The Flyers captain is also the longest-tenured player on the team; and with Brandon Graham injured, the longest-tenured one currently in Philadelphia. Barring some major fallout, he is going to retire a Flyer. He may be traded later in his career, but not now.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 7 of 10
Desirability: 8 of 10
Owen Tippett
Tippett is a rising star on this team. Along with Couturier and Travis Konecny, he is signed on past 2030. He is a foundational member of this team and makes the trade with Florida look better each and every day.
Never say never, but unless someone offered a whole ton of great stuff, he is staying put.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 2 of 10
Get Good Return: 10 of 10
Desirability: 10 of 10
Travis Konecny
Konecny is the one major offensive powerhouse this team has. He keeps getting better and would most likely have been the team's all-star next month had there been an all-star game. Other teams may want him, but unless they pay through the roof, he will remain on this team.
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 10 of 10
Desirability: 10 of 10
Matvei Michkov
Not happening. No way. Unless a team offers all first-rounders between now and 2030, he is staying here. Even then, it's not happening
Chances Flyers Will Trade: 1 of 10
Get Good Return: 10 of 10
Desirability: 10 of 10