The Flyers have two games left before the NHL trade deadline: Toronto and Utah. During this week, there will be a plethora of rumors swirling around this team. Most of them will probably center around Rasmus Ristolainen as he is their most tradeable asset. At the same time, we've been hearing rumors about Ristolainen rumors for a few seasons now. He's not the only one. We've been hearing rumors swirling around Owen Tippett for years as well. And now, it seems as if there is some smoke to that fire.
First, let's take a look at Tippett. Tippett currently sits at 19 goals; one shy of reaching 20 for the fourth straight season. In fact, in all of his four full seasons in Philly, he's never scored less than 20. Likewise, his 17 assists are just eight away from his career high of 28. He's on pace for 30 goals and his first 60 point season.
However, that's the crux of the matter. He's always "on pace" and never seems to get beyond these point markers. He's good, but incredibly streaky. When he's on, he's on. When he's not, he rushes shots and plays in an attempt to break out of a rut. Sometimes these ruts can last weeks.
This is also why he is still a tradeable commodity, ironically. He just turned 27 and should be entering his prime. Perhaps he needs a change of scenery. Maybe flying down the ice with a bonafide superstar is what he needs, instead of lining up with players of his caliber. This is where the reports of Boston's interest come in.
Tippett to Boston?
According to a story by Anthony Di Marco, the Bruins have inquired about Tippett several times; Ristolainen as well. The Flyers could use a center; like a legit center and not wingers who are spending time in the middle. The Bruins have a few prospects who could be intriguing.
The first one is Matthew Poitras. Poitras was selected 54th overall in the second round in 2022. He is 5'11" and 180 lbs. The 22 year old was a star with the Guelph Storm with 16 goals and 70 assists in 2022-23, where he played with Jett Luchanko. The next season in the AHL, he scored 17 goals with 24 assists in 40 games. However, in 33 games for Boston, he tallied just 11 points with just one goal. This season, he's appeared in just three games for Boston and the team appears ready to move on from him.
The second prospect, the one who seems more appealing, is Dean Letourneau. Letourneau was the 25th overall pick by Boston in 2024. Currently, he is starring for Boston College and has scored 19 goals with 15 assists. He is also a 6'7" giant. The Flyers have been looking at bigger guys as of late and Letourneau could fit that profile.
The beneift of Poitras is that he already has some NHL experience and can fit right in. Daniel Briere has done well so far acquring guys who "need a change of scenery" (Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale). He is young and could be "fixed"; especially with a cast of dynamic and young players (Denver Barkey, Tyson Foerster, etc.).
However, Letourneau seems as if he would be the better fit. The consequence of trading for him now is that he probably won't be seen for another year or so. Now, when he gets here, he could be bulldozing over everyone.
There is the possibility that Ristolainen and Tippett could be packaged to Boston together for a draft pick, one of these two centers, and another defensive prospect, Mason Lohrei. Lohrei was a second rounder in the 2020 draft. The 25 year old is in his second full season with the Bruins and has scored six goals with 17 assists. He is 6'5" and is 218 lbs. He's more of an offensive minded defender than a big brusier, but he could slide in nicely and would be a vast improvement over Emil Andrae and Noah Juulsen.
Rumors are just what they are, rumors. We'll have to see if the Flyers make any moves this week. If so, we'll see if there are anything to these particular rumors or if it is just prognostication. Should be an interesting week.