Trading Places? Four Players the Flyers Could Acquire This Summer
As the post-season begins and the organization welcomes new head coach Alain Vigneault, the Flyers head into perhaps their most pivotal off-season in recent memory.
With ample cap space, prospects and picks, General Manager Chuck Fletcher has a wealth of options at his disposal; and with an organizational mandate for a “bias for action” this summer, it’s clear the team plans to take aim at pushing this roster to the next level. There’s a good reason to believe that Fletcher will exhaust every avenue to improve the Flyers because, well, he said as much in his end-of-season presser.
With that, here are four players the Flyers could potentially look to add via trade this summer…
1) D Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild
2018-2019 Stats: 82 GP – 43 PTS
Though the Wild have made contract talks an off-season priority with Spurgeon, he may be an enticing option for Minnesota to trade in order to address some of their lack of forward depth this summer. Spurgeon would be an immediate upgrade to the Flyers blueline, as he moves the puck well up ice, has a good shot, very good skating ability and the positioning to play quality minutes every night. He could alleviate Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanhiem of some pressure moving forward by taking on tough assignments as well.
The veteran blueliner would not come cheaply to Philadelphia after establishing career-highs in goals (14), assists (29) and points (43) this past season, but the Flyers could offer some unique trade packages built around NHL ready prospects, picks and youngish roster players in order to pry the 29-year-old away from the Wild.
2) F Alexander Wennberg, Columbus Blue Jackets
2018-2019 Stats: 75 GP – 25 PTS
Only to be considered a buy-low candidate at this juncture, the 24-year-old Wennberg could pique the Flyers interest this summer if Columbus chooses to move him. The 2016-17 season saw the centermen post 13 goals on a career-high 59 points but since that season, Wennberg has seen his offensive totals fall steadily backward. The Stockholm, Sweden native has also routinely found himself a healthy scratch throughout the season and his struggles probably attributed to the Blue Jackets making a major trade for Matt Duchene to solidify their top six forward group for their playoff run.
A change of scenery, however, could help unlock the potential he showed during that 2016-2017 season. Wennberg still possesses creativity and vision and is still very good when passing the puck. He’s not a natural goal scorer, but perhaps an opportunity to regularly play with players like James Van Riemsdyk and Travis Konecny could help off-set some of those concerns about shooting the puck effectively.
3) F Andreas Athanasiou, Detroit Red Wings
2018-2019 Stats: 76 GP – 54 PTS
Athanasiou’s game is one Flyers fans would love, as he boasts blazing breakaway speed and good finishing ability at the net. He also has the upside to play a two-way game and tough minutes as well, which is equally as important to Philadelphia as him being a reliable scorer. His commitment on the ice has never been in question, but his long term commitment to the Red Wings could be.
In each of the last two off-seasons, the Red Wings and Athanasiou have struggled to find equal value on a long term contract. Last summer, the two parties reached terms on a two year deal, but that was after Athanasiou mulled over the potential of playing in the KHL the year before due to stagnant contract negotiations. Perhaps Athanasiou could be had if communications fall apart with the Wings again, but like Spurgeon — would likely carry a significant price tag.
4) D Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets
2018-2019 Stats: 82 GP – 50 PTS
Jacob Trouba’s all-around ability and competitiveness would adhere him to the Flyers quickly. His impact at both ends of the rink would be felt and would give the team four, potential top pair defensemen that are 25 or younger. Trouba is set to head into another summer where he holds arbitration rights and akin to the situation with Athanasiou, his time in Winnipeg has mostly been mired by the status of whether or not he and the team can agree to signing a long term contract.
This may mean he’d be available, as the Jets have a slew of players to resign in the near future and to fork over a deal worth north of $6 million to Trouba would hurt their ability to do so. The Flyers, however, could probably afford to pay the price more in line with what Trouba would be looking for.
It could be the kind of addition that helps alter the mix for the orange and black, as they desperately need to look for established NHL talent on the back-end to augment their talented young defensemen.
Featured Image: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images North America
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Categorized:Flyers