The Philadelphia Flyers may end up with a Dylan Larkin situation of their own. No, Philly doesn’t have a player requesting a trade. It’s the rumors that could begin to overshadow the team’s actual on-ice performance.
Specifically, we’re talking about Travis Konecny. His slow start, coupled with the team’s rough opening, has fueled potential trade rumors. The veteran forward had three assists in five games before hitting the shelf.
That’s not necessarily bad. But it’s been the team’s overall start that has prompted trade talk. The ongoing chatter posits that Philadelphia needs to do something to turn around what once looked like a bleak season.
The good news is that things have improved considerably since the first nine losses to start the season. The problem is that the Konecny rumors are not going away.
The bottom line, nonetheless, is that this talk is naught more than just talk. There is nothing to suggest that the Flyers are seriously considering a move, regardless of how dire the outlook may be at this point.
Trading Konecny won’t be easy for Flyers
Let’s assume for a minute that Daniel Briere was serious about moving Konecny. If that were the case, that proposition would be fraught with pitfalls.
First, the 29-year-old is in the second year of an eight-year extension. That situation alone, rising cap notwithstanding, is enough to give other teams the heebie-jeebies. But even if there were a team willing to take on his $8.75 million cap hit and the commitment for the next six-plus seasons, there’s the overall return to consider.
The Flyers wouldn’t be looking to sell low on Konecny at this point. He’s still a viable 20-goal forward. He’s hit 30 goals twice and is coming off a 27-goal campaign last season. So, there’s definite scoring there.
And so, how much is that worth in terms of trade capital? That sort of top-six forward doesn’t come cheap. And even if the Flyers needed a massive shakeup, trading Konecny won’t necessarily achieve that.
Then, there’s the situation of actually replacing Konecny. Could Philly actually get someone back to take his place in the lineup? That’s truly doubtful.
That’s why it seems that the chatter is just that. But if the trade chatter doesn’t go away, the Flyers may end up with a needless distraction until someone steps in and puts the kibosh on all the talk. It will likely be up to Briere to quash any further chatter.
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