The Flyers are still searching for the blue-line answer they haven’t found yet, and the latest twist has them back in the mix for John Carlson.
Philadelphia has been linked to a long list of targets this offseason, and while the team has added some depth in net and up front, the defense group has barely changed. The only move on the back end has been the swap from Emil Andrae to Simon Benoit in the Joseph Woll trade, which leaves the Flyers looking for a much bigger upgrade.
Darnell Nurse had been one of the names they were chasing, but that door appears to be closing. Elliotte Friedman reported that Nurse agreed to widen the list of teams he’d accept a trade to, with San Jose now one to watch. Friedman later outlined what a deal could look like, posting: “This is how things appear to be unfolding:
Nurse to SJ
Shakir Mukhamadullin will be part the return
There will be no retention by the Oilers
We await the final picture https://t.co/HlJah24rzn”
That development matters for the Flyers because Nurse had been on their radar, and the sticking point was always the money. He has four years left on a deal carrying a $9.25 million AAV, and Philadelphia reportedly wanted Edmonton to hold back at least $2-3 million to make the trade workable.
It was an understandable position from Danny Briere. Nurse is a solid top-four defenseman, but the price tag is steep, and the source material makes clear that he is not viewed as worth the $9.25 million the Oilers are paying him. Only 10 other defensemen will make more than him this season.
With Nurse likely headed elsewhere, the Flyers’ attention has swung right back to Carlson. Anthony DiMarco reported Wednesday afternoon that Philadelphia is still “pushing hard” for the veteran, adding, “maybe things change” after earlier saying the Flyers were not close.
Carlson fits the profile Philadelphia has been circling: a short-term deal, and a move to the Eastern Conference. He is also one of the biggest names still available in a thin free-agent pool, which makes his lack of a landing spot so far a little surprising.
The Hurricanes already traded for Carlson’s rights, a clear sign they were serious about getting him signed, but he still reached the open market. The Lightning are also in the mix after losing Darren Raddysh to Toronto in a sign-and-trade deal.
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For the Flyers, the appeal goes beyond sentiment. A return would be judged against roster fit, role and timing, not just nostalgia, and that makes the conversation more complicated than a simple homecoming pitch. Giroux has remained productive into his late 30s, and if free agency opens the door, Philadelphia would at least have to decide whether this is the right moment to revisit a familiar face or let the past stay where it is. [Read more 🡒]
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From the Flyers side, the fit is more interesting than it looked at the time of the trade. They are also chasing other roster upgrades, which means the summer could still reshape the depth chart in ways that leave room for familiar names to come back into the picture. Brinks value, meanwhile, is tied to what he might command elsewhere and whether Minnesota can get its own business done before the market opens. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers May Have Another Blue Jackets Difference Maker In Sight
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There is also a broader sense that the Flyers are not limiting their attention to one avenue as they explore ways to sharpen the lineup. Columbus has the kind of talent that can change the conversation around a rebuilding or retooling club, and Philadelphias interest reflects how urgent the need remains after a power play that sputtered badly in the playoffs. Whether those talks lead anywhere is still unclear, but the Flyers are clearly looking for more than just depth pieces as they map out the next step. [Read more 🡒]