Canucks Reportedly Interested in Flyers’ Owen Tippett as Trade Talks Heat Up
The Philadelphia Flyers have been a frequent name in the NHL trade rumor mill lately, and the latest chatter has them linked to the Vancouver Canucks - with a particular focus on winger Owen Tippett.
While the Flyers continue to navigate the fallout from Tyson Foerster’s injury, the front office isn’t standing still. Even with the lineup in flux, conversations are happening behind the scenes, and Tippett’s name is surfacing more prominently than ever.
Vancouver Circling Tippett
According to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, Vancouver has serious interest in Tippett. Speaking on Wednesday, Dhaliwal noted that while the two teams have been in contact for a while, this is the first time a specific name - aside from the untouchable Quinn Hughes - has been linked to the talks.
“You know how Canucks and Philadelphia are talking trade? Someone told me that the Canucks really like Owen Tippett in Philly. But, that would be a hard get,” Dhaliwal said.
That’s a significant development. There’s been plenty of speculation around what a Vancouver-Philadelphia trade might look like, especially with the Flyers reportedly intrigued by Hughes if the Canucks ever consider a full rebuild. There’s also been talk that Flyers head coach John Tortorella might be interested in reuniting with some of Vancouver’s veteran pieces if the Canucks decide to reset.
Now, with Tippett’s name in the mix, the conversation is shifting from vague speculation to something a bit more tangible.
Why Tippett Makes Sense for Vancouver
Owen Tippett checks a lot of boxes for a team like the Canucks. He’s 6-foot-2, has blazing straight-line speed, and owns a shoot-first mentality that’s led to eight goals and 17 points through 25 games this season. That kind of production - especially from a winger who’s still just 26 - puts him on pace for a career year.
And it’s not just about the numbers. Tippett’s physical tools are elite.
He skates like he’s shot out of a cannon, and when he’s on, he can be a game-breaker. That combination of size, speed, and scoring touch is exactly what teams covet when trying to get younger and faster without taking a step back in the standings.
But perhaps the most appealing part of Tippett’s profile is his contract. He’s locked in through the 2031-32 season on an eight-year deal signed in January of last year, carrying a $6.2 million cap hit. In a league where cost certainty is gold - especially with the cap expected to rise - Tippett’s deal is a big selling point.
So Why Would the Flyers Move Him?
That’s the question Flyers fans are asking. Tippett is in his prime, producing well, and signed to a team-friendly deal for the long haul. On paper, he looks like the kind of player you keep, not trade.
But the Flyers aren’t short on winger depth - now or in the future. When fully healthy, the top six could eventually include Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Tyson Foerster, and 2025 first-round pick Porter Martone.
That’s a strong core. Add in prospects like Bobby Brink, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, Shane Vansaghi, Jack Murtagh, and Nikita Grebenkin, and suddenly the winger pipeline looks crowded.
That kind of organizational depth creates flexibility - and possibly, opportunity.
If the Flyers decide to cash in on Tippett’s value, Vancouver could be a logical partner. The Canucks hold their next two first-round picks and have a few intriguing young defensemen like Elias Pettersson (the blueliner, not the forward), Victor Mancini, and Tom Willander. For a Flyers team still trying to bolster its blue line depth, especially with high-end talent, that’s a tempting framework.
Timing Is Everything
Of course, timing matters. With Foerster sidelined, moving another offensive weapon mid-season might not be the best message to send to a locker room fighting to stay in the playoff hunt. Tippett is playing a key role right now, and subtracting him without an immediate replacement could hurt the Flyers’ momentum.
But come trade deadline season? That’s when things could get interesting. If the Flyers are still in the mix but looking to balance long-term roster construction with short-term competitiveness, a deal involving Tippett could be the kind of move that walks that line.
For now, it’s just noise - but it’s the kind of noise that tends to grow louder as the season rolls on. And if Vancouver really is serious about adding a dynamic winger, Tippett might just be the name to watch.