As the March 8 trade deadline approaches, it is still uncertain how the Flyers will approach things. Danny Briere and the organization have clarified that they will still stay the course despite Philadelphia being on the cusp of a playoff spot for the first time in a few years. The rebuild is still very much at the front of their minds.
"If it's the best thing for our future of our team and building it the proper way, we have to follow through. We have to. The guys know it. We've been very forthright publicily about this. We need to stay with it," John Tortorella said after practice last week.
There are a few players that the Flyers will have to make some decisions on. Most of them come on defense. One name that has quieted down in terms of trade rumors is Nick Seeler. He was previously high on the list of possible trade targets. There were even teams reportedly looking at acquiring him and Sean Walker together.
Now, it seems like the Flyers have changed their minds on Seeler.
“Most of the talk around the Philadelphia Flyers is on right-shot defenseman Sean Walker, but Nick Seeler has been out there from the get-go as well,” TSN's Darren Dreger said on Insider Trading. “However, management will confirm in Philadelphia, as will agent Pat Brisson, that they have engaged in contract extension discussions.”
Seeler has been a well-loved player and teammate on the Flyers. He was the team's nominee for the Masterton Trophy a season ago. It would be no surprise if the organization is unwilling to part with him. Seeler will lay his body on the line for his team. He also is not afraid to stand up for his teammates. That is what has endeared him to this city. He is the perfect example of what it means to play in Philadelphia. He is third in the league with 10.47 blocks per 60. He leads the NHL with 168 blocks, six more than the next player behind him. Seeler is doing that while averaging 16:53 time on ice, which is 310th in the league.
With just a 775K cap hit, Seeler has brought more value than his contract shows. That is what could make him valuable to other organizations. He won't cost a team a lot to have on their books. He is someone that teammates love to play with. But what even are the Flyers looking for in return if he is on the block?
It may not matter at this point.