The Philadelphia Flyers will be looking to address their goaltending situation this offseason. The biggest item on the docket is extending Dan Vladar. The 28-year-old has emerged as the team’s number-one goalie this past season.
With Vladar entering the final season of his two-year deal, the Flyers won’t be playing games with the former third-round pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.
That said, there is another issue in the crease that will need attention. The Flyers don’t really have a solid option behind Vladar. And that’s something that Daniel Briere will want to address this offseason.
One of the rumors emerging this offseason is a potential trade involving the Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll. As Anthony DiMarco discussed in Daily Faceoff, some sources have said Philly could be kicking the tires on Woll.
“Joseph Woll of the Leafs is a name sources had indicated to DFO as a name the Flyers like. Woll, who turns 28 this July, is part of a three-goaltender situation in Toronto along with Stolarz and Dennis Hildeby; with all of them needing to clear waivers, one will likely be dealt in the summer.”
There is a possibility that the Flyers may target one of the other goalies in Toronto. Stolarz, a former Flyer, may not fit the bill. The 32-year-old Stolarz will be starting a four-year extension in Toronto. Plus, he won’t likely waive his partial no-trade clause to become the backup to Vladar.
The other goalie in the Maple Leafs’ pipeline is Dennis Hildeby. His name has popped up in rumors over the last few months. The Leafs, however, may be reluctant to part with the 24-year-old. But a solid offer could pry Hildeby away from the Maple Leafs.
What would it take for Flyers to land Woll?
So, the biggest question would be how much it would take for the Flyers to land Woll. That’s a tough one to answer, as the suddenly rebuilding/retooling Leafs may have an eye on one of the Flyers’ younger players.
While a Michkov-for-Woll trade would be out of the question, I wonder if the Maple Leafs would have their eye on a forward like Alex Bump or Denver Barkey. Perhaps a defenseman like Emil Andrae or Oliver Bonk might move the needle.
The Maple Leafs will, of course, set a high asking price. Just about every organization does that when it doesn’t have to trade a player. The Leafs are not at that point yet. They could make their three-goalie rotation work, considering the amount of time that Woll and Stolarz spend on the shelf.
But if push came to shove, Briere could just wait out the situation and try to act if and when the Leafs got desperate to move a goalie.
It will be an interesting summer as the Flyers try to figure out what to do to solidify their situation in the crease.
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