The San Jose Sharks and Will Smith are in a simple holding pattern right now.
Daily Faceoff’s David Pagnotta said there’s no urgency on either side as contract-extension talks remain open. On the topic of Smith, Jeff Marek asked, “Also, the latest on Will Smith, San Jose Sharks, and that contract. You want to give us a tease there?”
Pagnotta answered: “Yeah, open line of communication on both ends. There’s no timeline.
There’s no deadline. It’s kind of wait-and-see mode between the two.”
Out in Philadelphia, the Flyers may be looking at the trade market, but they’re not in position to make a splash just yet. Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff reported that Rick Tocchet isn’t going anywhere for the time being, and the Flyers are believed to be hunting for a veteran defenseman with size.
Names like Justin Faulk (Red Wings) and Zach Whitecloud (Flames) would help steady the blue line, though neither would solve the real issue: Philadelphia’s forwards aren’t scoring enough. A major deal feels unlikely this early in the season, and the market may not really open up until more teams slide out of the race and more players become available.
If the Flyers do decide to chase a true hockey trade, the price gets steep fast. Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone, and Matvei Michkov would have to come into the conversation. Martone is considered untouchable, while a source said Foerster and Michkov are viewed very highly internally.
Trevor Zegras, 25, doesn’t look like a likely option after signing a four-year, $36.5 million contract this past offseason.
Noah Cates, 27, carries a $4 million cap hit for three more years, but as a bottom-six player, he wouldn’t bring back a major haul. Owen Tippett, also 27, has six years left at $6.2 million and looks like a potential 25-goal scorer.
He’s drawn interest over the past year, though the asking price remains high. One possibility would be moving Tippett and another piece in a deal for a top-six center.
There’s also some internal tension to keep an eye on with Travis Konecny. He has led the Flyers in scoring over the past five seasons, but sources have said there has been frustration with his play at times.
The 29-year-old is in year two of an eight-year, $70 million contract and owns a no-movement clause. One possible fit mentioned is the Utah Mammoth, though it would take a serious piece going the other way, such as prospect Caleb Desnoyers.
A source also said the Flyers aren’t interested in Tij Iginla.
In Other News...
Flyers Suddenly Face A Center Decision Fans Can't Ignore
The Flyers are still searching for their first win of the season, and the 0-5-3 start has only sharpened the scrutiny around a roster that already looks like it may need help down the middle. As they prepare to face the Red Wings, Rick Tocchet spent a recent practice talking through the teams defensive issues, including a tendency for defensemen to jump into the play too eagerly, a symptom of a group still trying to find its structure and identity.
That backdrop has only added to the sense that roster moves could be coming, with center help now part of the conversation as the club weighs its options. Noah Cates is also drawing attention as fans and teams alike watch how he fits into the picture, while the organization has another date circled later in the winter with its Hall of Fame ceremony, a reminder that even in a tense start, there are still bigger franchise moments on the calendar. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Have A Low-Risk Option As Bottom-Six Questions Keep Growing
The Flyers have spent the early part of the season sorting through their bottom six, and the latest wrinkle came from Vancouver, where Aatu Raty was placed on waivers after trade talks did not produce a deal. For a Philadelphia club that has already tinkered with its depth by signing Michael Bunting and recalling Jack Studnicka, it is the kind of low-cost opportunity that fits the moment as the coaching staff keeps looking for more reliable answers down the lineup.
Raty is still more projection than proven NHL solution, but he has shown some offensive ability in the AHL and has traits that can appeal to a team trying to stabilize a checking role without much risk. The fit is obvious on paper for the Flyers because of his familiarity with Rick Tocchet from their shared Vancouver background, and because Philadelphia could use another forward who can help in the faceoff circle while the rest of the roster picture continues to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Trade Rumors Just Put Travis Konecny Drama In Focus
The Flyers have been active around the edges this summer, adding veteran Michael Bunting and making a minor roster shuffle involving Jack Studnicka and Carl Grundstrom, but the bigger-picture trade chatter around the club still hangs over everything. Daniel Briere has not rushed into a significant move, and Elliotte Friedman has suggested the general manager is being careful about avoiding anything that does not fit the long-term plan, even as outside speculation keeps linking Philadelphia to the market.
Lately, though, the conversation has drifted toward Travis Konecny and a different kind of pressure point. Reports of frustration inside the organization regarding his performance have added another layer to the uncertainty, even if the source and reliability of those reports are not clear, which leaves the story more murky than settled. For a team that has not yet made a splashy trade, the tension around Konecny only makes the next move feel that much more significant. [Read more 🡒]