As the Flyers aim to add new and fresh talent to their roster, questions have arisen about which players might be leaving. To bring in others, current roster players may need to be traded away.
This has led fans and writers to discuss Tippett's availability and include him in various trade proposals. William James of Philly Hockey Now listed Tippett as a trade candidate this summer. James Nichols of NJ Hockey Now suggested a swap of Dawson Mercer and Tippett. Jonathan Bailey of The Hockey News included Tippett in a package for Utah's fourth overall pick. He also wondered if they could use Tippett in a deal for Jason Robertson.
Many fans have taken to social media to express their desires. And as Bill Meltzer said, there are teams that value Tippett's skills.
Tippett will enter the second year of the eight-year extension he signed during the 2023-24 season. He will not have trade protection until the third year, meaning the Flyers could move him without any issues on his end before then. Tippett has blossomed into a near 30-goal scorer since being traded to Philadelphia, although he took a step back this past season.
After 27 and 28 goals in his first two seasons with the Flyers, Tippett hit the 20-goal mark in the fifth to last game of the season. He took 101 fewer shots than the prior season, but had nearly a one point better shooting percentage. He had seven power play points, but none of them were goals. His advanced metrics were not the worst of his career, but they were a step back.
Though, he did have the highest CF% (49.70) amongst regular skaters in the Flyers lineup. He was near the top in xGF% (53.35). Only Scott Laughton and Egor Zamula were better. Looking at most stats, you'll find Tippett's name toward the top. Does being one of the best on a bad team mean anything, though?
With one bad season, why is he popping up in trade rumors? With the salary cap rising, his $6.2 million contract is a bargain relative to salaries these days. He is in the prime of his career at 26. Tippett was fourth in goals and points amongst his teammates. He is one of the fastest skaters in the league, sitting in the 98th percentile at top skating speed and speed bursts over 20 MPH, according to NHL Edge stats.
At his best, Tippett can do things on the ice that are hard to come by. He has the speed to blow by defenders and the hands to make even the best of goaltenders look silly. He can make plays that seem impossible look routine.
OWEN TIPPETT OH MY GOODNESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/kRY2yhTJcm
— NHL (@NHL) January 19, 2024
But because of one bad season, Flyers fans are ready to show Tippett the door with a team that desperately needs players like him. His creativity and vision on the ice make him who he is. But it's his inconsistency that frustrates fans the most. He is far from the only player in the league to go through extended scoring droughts.
Connor McDavid went over 10 games without a goal this season. Sidney Crosby also had a 10-game drought. Connor Bedard had a 12-game drought at the beginning of the year. Sam Bennett, one of the league's hottest free agents, went 20 games without a goal. It doesn't matter who you are. Everyone is prone to it.
When you're on a team desperate for scoring, a lack of it will get pointed out faster. And when big names come up in trade rumors, you're the first to be included in a package. But giving up on Tippett this soon would be a big mistake for the Flyers. The team as a whole took a step back this season, not just Tippett.
And with the skillset he has, it can be hard when the pucks aren't going in or when the confidence isn't there. Sometimes, making a simple play can end with a better result. It helps build that confidence back up and leads to the electric plays that Tippett has made on multiple occasions. And when the two sides can meet, that's when Tippett is at his best. Just take it from Brad Shaw, who said the exact thing about Tippett.
The Flyers solidified Tippett as a piece of this group's future when they offered him that contract. They aren't, and shouldn't, give up on him yet.