The Flyers are surprisingly good this season. Well, good enough to be in playoff contention and not be a basement dweller. Yes, the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference as a whole are indeed pretty tight. A three or four-game losing streak, while other teams collect some wins, could easily take a team from the second or third spot in the division to being on the outside looking in.
The team has been lucky. Despite having some key injuries, the call-ups and back-ups are doing fairly well. They are not a complete team. Let's make no mistake, this is not a team that can survive a deep playoff run as is. They could use some improvements. But where?
Many people would like a strong center. After all, having a center like Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau, Rod Brind'Amour, Claude Giroux, etc., right now would greatly improve this team. After all, the team is 21st in the NHL with a 49% faceoff percentage. That is an improvement. Yes, a center could help, but perhaps the Flyers already got one. Rumors are that the team is looking at re-signing Christian Dvorak after he has greatly impressed the team.
Some want a top-tier defender. Who wouldn't? Egor Zamula has been waived and could be jettisoned altogether. With the recent addition of Rasmus Ristolainen back to the lineup, it appears that the defense has stabilized somewhat and is playing stronger.
Overall, this is a balanced team. The top three lines, while not dominating, are steady enough to score and surprise. The defense is stable enough to keep the Flyers in every game. Still, they are not complete.
The Position That Would Improve The Flyers Instantly
There is one position that the Flyers could use that would greatly improve their chances: a backup goalie. Dan Vladar has been nothing short of amazing this season and has been one of the greatest surprises so far, not just for Philly, but across the entire NHL. He's not the problem.
However, the backup situation is not as steady. Sam Ersson has not been as steady as in years past. I think his confidence is shot after this team ran him into the ground two seasons ago. As for Aleksei Kolosov, he's appeared in just two games this season. While his numbers are good (1.69 GAA and .929 save percentage), it's not enough of a sample. Are you willing to trust him in a Stanley Cup run?
So a backup goalie is something this team can use. The thing is, so can many teams. Yes, a backup will cost less than a starter goalie, but a good backup probably won't come cheap. And for a rental, is that what you want?
First of all, who could be available? Let's start with the Sabres. Considering they are a perennial last-place team, most teams would want to pick them apart. However, this year the Sabres are in the mix. Prying one of their two goalies is not going to be easy. Alex Lyon, a former Flyer, is cheap ($1.5 million) and has one more year on his contract. He'd be a nice get if you want to use him as a stopgap for next year as well. However, because he is cheap, he'd be easier to acquire.
Now, you could inquire about their other starter, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He's younger, but has three more years on his contract at $4.75 million. That's almost a million more than the Flyers are paying Vladar. Likewise, Buffalo would probably sell him for less, as that would open up cap space for the team, but it would gobble up the Flyers.
Likewise, there is St. Louis' Jordan Binnington. He's not had such a hot year so far and has seemed to wear out his former hero status after winning the Stanley Cup. He could use a change of scenery. However, his salary is $6 million, and he has another season on his contract. Now, if the Flyers were to take on the whole contract, they could probably drive down the cost...maybe Ersson, a mid-tier prospect, and a draft pick. But do you want to take on that salary?
Perhaps a better acquisition is another former Flyer, Cam Talbot. His $2.5 million contract is affordable enough to take on. He is playing well enough for a team that is currently in first place. That is the kicker. The Wings may be more reluctant to part ways with Talbot, even if he is a pending free agent. Perhaps offering Ersson for Talbot straight up could work.
There are a few goalies available out there, but you will likely have to gobble up a contract that will eat away at the salary cap and add years to the team that the Flyers won't want. God knows they've spent too much time ridding themselves of long-term albatross like contracts. Some of the better choices, like Talbot and Lyon, make sense, but because they are cheaper, they could cost the Flyers more in assets.