The NHL trade deadline may have come and gone for the Philadelphia Flyers. But that doesn’t mean that the chatter has dissipated. In fact, Flyers rumors continue to grind, even as the season winds down.
One of the names that hasn’t gone away is that of forward Owen Tippett.
Tippett has been the subject of trade speculation for a while now. He’s actually the type of winger plenty of clubs would love to have in their lineups. And that’s why he’s getting attention. As insider David Pagnotta noted, teams have been checking in on Tippett’s availability. Landing him, however, will cost teams a pretty penny.
“His name popped up a bunch the last couple of weeks… I think the Flyers are in a position where they're willing to listen, but you've gotta make them an offer that entices them to continue the conversation.”
What the actual price tag on the 27-year-old is remains to be seen. Tippett’s 22 goals and 40 points in 66 games this season are something teams around the league are looking at. But the Flyers don’t seem to be too keen on moving him.
Tippett is in the second-year of an eight-year contract extension. As such, there may not be an appetite on the Flyers’ part to move him at this point. But that can change with the right offer. Could a team out there be willing enough to part with the requisite pieces?
The answer to that question is certainly worth discussing.
Flyers' price tag on Tippett won’t be cheap
So, what could the price tag on Tippett be like?
Judging from the prices on veteran stars, a first-round pick, a high-end prospect, and a roster player could be the starting point.
If that’s the case, it’s certainly nothing to sneeze at. How many teams would be willing to part with those pieces, assuming they had them?
For instance, a team like the Buffalo Sabres or Detroit Red Wings could be enticed to pull the trigger. If Buffalo loses Alex Tuch to free agency in the offseason, could they be willing to pivot and trade for someone like Tippett?
Alternatively, could a Western Conference rival like, say, the LA Kings or Seattle Kraken be interested in making a push, especially if they fail to make headway this season?
Those are questions that could dominate the offseason chatter in Philadelphia. The betting odds are that Tippett isn’t going anywhere any time soon. But there is one thing to consider. Tippett will have a 10-team, no-trade clause kicking in on July 1. So, if there was ever a time to trade him, it would be now.