If the Philadelphia Flyers keep sliding, the trade market could become a real pressure point for this front office. Anthony Di Marco laid out a few names that could be in play before the March 1 NHL Trade Deadline, and the list starts with a player who has seemingly lived on the rumor mill for years.
Rasmus Ristolainen was the first name Di Marco brought up, saying, “Well, it feels like he’s been on the trade block for three years, but Rasmus Ristolainen. I would be utterly shocked if he’s a Flyer beyond the trade deadline. Like, I mean, I think even if it’s for a second-round pick, which they could have gotten last year.”
He also pointed to Owen Tippett as another player worth watching, adding, “I look at a guy like Owen Tippett. I know a lot of Edmonton faithful have had their eyes on him for a while.”
The biggest name, though, is Travis Konecny. Di Marco said he has reported that the Flyers would be open to asking Konecny to waive his no-movement clause.
“And then you look at a Travis Konecny, who I’ve reported a few times, the Flyers would be open to approaching him to waive his no-movement clause. I think in an ideal world you would go after Travis Konecny, and I know a lot of fans hate him right now in Philadelphia, and that’s all well and good, but I’ve spoken to several teams going back to last winter that would have a ton of time for Travis Konecny.”
Di Marco also noted Konecny’s contract situation, saying, “Yes, he’s in year two of an eight-year contract at $8.75 (million). But again, with the rising salary cap, you put Travis Konecny on a second line of a Stanley Cup team.
Like, let’s say the Minnesota Wild, I think that he could do a lot of damage there. The problem there is once again, is he going to waive his no-movement clause?”
With the Flyers’ outlook still uncertain, Di Marco said the organization may need to think bigger if the season doesn’t turn around. He said there’s a chance Philadelphia could end up with two picks inside the top 10 in the upcoming draft, which would make asset accumulation a major priority.
“So I mean, I think they have a lot of pieces to overturn this. There’s a chance that the Flyers have two picks inside the top 10 this upcoming draft. So I think that you have to prepare yourselves for that possibility and just stockpile assets in the meantime.”
He closed by stressing that the Flyers may have to make major changes if the current direction doesn’t improve, and again singled out Konecny as a player who could alter the roster in a big way.
“And I really do think that the Flyers will take a hard look at taking axes to that leaders doesn’t turn around. And for me, I know the trade protection is a big block in the road, but I think Travis Konecny would be a prime candidate to really shake things up.”
In Other News...
Flyers Just Turned Up The Pressure On Rick Tocchet
The Flyers are suddenly dealing with more than just the usual early-season scrutiny, because Danny Briere has now publicly weighed in on the noise surrounding Matvei Michkov and his reported desire to leave the team. Brieres comments also put a spotlight on the relationship between Michkov and Rick Tocchet, a pairing that has become part of the larger conversation around where this season is headed and how quickly the organization expects progress.
For Tocchet, the message from the front office sounds a lot like a challenge and a deadline rolled into one. Briere made clear he expects the coach to find answers and get the team moving in the right direction, which is the kind of public pressure that tends to follow a team when results are lagging. Even without anything being spelled out, the tone of those remarks suggests the Flyers are watching closely, and Tocchets margin for patience may not be as wide as it once seemed. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Could Hand Mat Barzal The Finisher Hes Been Missing
Matvei Michkovs name has quickly become part of the bigger conversation around the Flyers uneven start, and not just because of what he can do on the ice. Philadelphia has already dealt with a rough opening to the season and growing scrutiny around Rick Tocchet, and now the 2023 seventh overall pick is being discussed in a far more uneasy context, with reports suggesting uncertainty about whether he wants to keep his career going in Philadelphia. For a team that drafted him as a cornerstone talent, that kind of noise only adds to the pressure around everything else going on.
The Islanders, meanwhile, have been floated as a possible landing spot in the kind of speculative scenario that gets attention because of fit as much as talent. Michkovs skill set would naturally invite questions about how he would mesh with New Yorks roster and coaching structure, especially if the Flyers decide his situation has become too complicated to manage. For now, it remains a possibility rather than a move, but it is the sort of storyline that can linger when a young player, a frustrated team and a division rival all enter the same conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Have Two Personnel Developments Fans Will Want To Watch
Noel Acciari was back in full practice participation after an upper-body injury, a welcome development for a Flyers group that has been managing its share of bumps and bruises. For a team trying to keep its forward depth intact, getting a veteran role player back on the ice is the kind of update that matters even before the lineup card is finalized.
There was also a notable off-ice development for the organization, with prospect Brek Liske committing to the University of Wisconsin for next season. For the Flyers, it adds another name to keep track of in the pipeline, while the broader injury picture around the league continues to shift with several players nearing returns and others still working back from longer-term issues. [Read more 🡒]