Could Sean Walker Return as a Free Agent?

Flyers general manager Daniel Briere has made his first trade deadline deal. It's a doozy. The Flyers got a first-round pick from the Colorado Avalanche, and forward Ryan Johansen, who was promptly put on waivers. This comes with Nick Seeler being re-signed to a four-year deal and Adam Ginning being called up. Talk about a busy day.

Walker came over from the LA Kings this past summer as part of the Ivan Provorov deal. He was a salary dump of an oft-injured defender who needed a change of scenery. He had had some promise, but injuries had limited his development and the Kings moved on from him.

Here in Philly, he flourished. It's interesting he and Seeler, two castoffs, paired up to become one of the most consistent defensive duos in the league. Nothing flashy, mind you. However, it has been hard to score on the pair. Not only that, but Walker has found his scoring touch. He has a career-high of six goals this season, with two shorthanded. His 22 points are just two off of his career high. Now, he is going to the Avalanche. They are a team fighting to take the top spot in the Western Conference. We wish him well.

However, could we see him back in Orange and Black next season? He will be a free agent. He enjoyed his time here in Philly. John Tortorella loved having him here. Could there be a reunion?

A few years ago, Justin Braun was traded away to the New York Rangers for a 2023 third-round pick. This past year, Briere turned that pick into goaltender Yegor Zavragin. However, in that offseason, Braun re-signed a one-year, $1 million deal to return to Philadelphia. He was a shell of what he once was, but a third-round pick for him was pretty good.

When Walker becomes a free agent, could he return to the Flyers? If the young defenders we are counting on (Ginning, Cam York, Ronnie Attard, Helge Gans, Emil Andrae, Jamie Drysdale, etc.) turn out to be undependable, not ready yet, or injury-prone, it could be a possibility. He could come back on a one or two-year deal and be reunited with his defensive partner, Seeler. He would be just shy of 30. He could always be dealt away again for another top pick.

Most likely, Walker won't return. But hey, you never know. Crazier things have happened in sports, especially in this town. To be honest with you, I think most Flyers fans wouldn't mind seeing him back on our bench again if the opportunity presented itself.