As the NHL trade season approaches in a few weeks, teams across the league are preparing to evaluate their rosters, and the Philadelphia Flyers have actively scouted games around the league. NHL teams typically assess their playoff status around Thanksgiving to guide their future business plans.
Scouting and Trade Market Position
Having won only four of their first 17 games this season, the Philadelphia Flyers are prime candidates to act as sellers leading up to the March trade deadline. General manager Danny Briere and his staff are expected to remain patient with the existing roster until the end of the month before making major decisions.
To prepare for difficult roster choices, the Flyers have maintained a visible scouting presence at various matchups across the league. Previously, team president Keith Jones attended games featuring the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Montreal Canadiens.
According to a report by Karine Hains of The Hockey News in Montreal, reported sports.yahoo.com, the Philadelphia Flyers recently sent a heavy contingent to watch the Montreal Canadiens play the Winnipeg Jets. The group included assistant general manager Alyn McCauley alongside Lehigh Valley Phantoms coaches John Snowden, Nick Schultz, Terrence Wallin, and Patrick McDonough.
While the presence of the Phantoms coaching staff relates to their upcoming game against the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, McCauley’s attendance marked the second time in recent weeks that a top Flyers executive attended a Canadiens game.
Potential Trade Connections
Despite blowing a lead in a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Jets, the Montreal Canadiens hold a 9-3-3 record, placing them sixth in the NHL and second in the Atlantic Division. This strong standing positions the Canadiens to act as buyers on the trade market, creating potential trading opportunities with teams like Philadelphia.
Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj has frequently surfaced in trade rumors linking him to the Philadelphia Flyers, representing a clear connection between the two organizations. While the Philadelphia Flyers require center depth, they lack the assets to offer Montreal a piece behind Nick Suzuki, though the Canadiens could potentially use the Flyers’ depth at the winger position.
Trade season officially begins in two to three weeks, highlighting the active scouting and preparation underway by the struggling Philadelphia organization. Continued on-ice difficulties make it increasingly probable that the Flyers will pursue significant roster changes in the future.
