The Calgary Flames’ rough start has not pushed Ryan Huska onto the hot seat, even with the club stumbling out of the gate. According to Darren Dreger, the coach’s job security is not the issue in Calgary right now.
In Los Angeles, the Kings are dealing with a different kind of frustration. Their problems are showing up in goal and on offense, and Pierre LeBrun said there is no simple answer. Goaltending has become a talking point, but the bigger concern internally appears to be the way the offseason unfolded.
“They’d love to get into the Larkin trade conversation, but Los Angeles is not on the list of teams under consideration by Larkin. They batted the idea around of free agent Patrik Laine, but I’m not sure they’re going to end up going there. But it’s an idea.
They really need Kevin Fiala back. He may start practicing with the team over the next couple of weeks.”
The Flyers, meanwhile, are trying to sort through a different kind of roster puzzle. After an 0-6-3 start, they’ve strung together two straight wins despite a wave of injuries, and now they may have a wing logjam once everyone gets healthy. Trevor Zegras has reportedly looked better on the wing alongside Christian Dvorak.
There had been reporting last week that Philadelphia might ask Travis Konecny about his future if the season went sideways. Now, the feeling is that the Flyers could make that approach even if the team keeps winning. Konecny, 29, has six years left on his deal after this season at an $8.75 million cap hit, and sources say there has been interest in him since last year’s trade deadline.
Owen Tippett is another name to watch. Sources say teams have shown more interest in Tippett than Konecny in the past.
Tippett is 27, carries a $6.2 million cap hit, and has a 10-team no-trade. If he were to loosen that protection, teams would likely line up with more interest in Konecny than Tippett.
A source said Philadelphia could explore moving more than one winger in order to bring in a top-six forward. The Flyers also like Seattle’s Matty Beniers, though there’s no sign the Kraken are willing to move him. The Kraken do like Tyson Foester, but a source said that would be a non-starter for the Flyers, who may instead prefer Tippett plus a center prospect such as Jett Luchanko.
On defense, Oliver Bonk’s play and maybe eventually Hunter McDonald could create another question for Cam York’s role with the team. His name is starting to come up as someone who could potentially be available. York is 25 and has three years left after this season on a $5.15 million cap hit.
As for Rasmus Ristolainen, he has been available for the right price for the past three seasons, and it seems unlikely he’ll be extending with the Flyers after this season.
In Other News...
Flyers Face An Early Test As Buffalo Brings A New Problem
The Flyers arrive in Buffalo with a little momentum after shaking off a slow start and winning two straight, a welcome shift as they head into KeyBank Center for an early-season test. Philadelphias recent uptick has given the group a steadier feel, and the matchup offers another chance to see whether the gains they've made can hold up against a Sabres team that is just coming off a road trip through Canada.
Buffalo also brings a different look this time, with the club expecting one of its top blue-liners back in the lineup after time away. The projected goalies, betting odds and forecast all point to a game that should be tight enough to hinge on the details, which is exactly the sort of spot where Philadelphia can find out whether its recent surge is something more than a short-lived bounce. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers May Have Finally Found A Power Play Fit For Michkov And Zegras
Rick Tocchet has been shuffling the Flyers power-play setup in search of a better fit, and the early signs have been encouraging. The changes have given Matvei Michkov a more natural lane to operate in, and the unit has looked sharper since the coach adjusted the personnel and spacing around him.
The real intrigue is how Trevor Zegras has been used in the mix, with Tocchet trying to unlock more from a group that needed a jolt. Michkovs recent power-play production has helped validate the approach, but the broader question for Philadelphia is whether this alignment can stick once opponents start game-planning for it. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Surge Just Changed Danny Brieres Trade Deadline Pressure
The Flyers spent the early stretch of the season trying to keep their footing while key players were hurt and the results lagged behind the effort. General manager Danny Briere resisted the temptation to force a move during that rough patch, in part because the roster was so banged up and in part because there was little reason to sell off pieces when the team had yet to find any rhythm.
A small surge has changed the tone around the front office, though, and it has added a different kind of pressure. Two straight wins, including one over the Colorado Avalanche, gave the Flyers a little more breathing room and showed younger players can help steady the lineup, which makes Brieres trade-deadline decisions look a lot less straightforward than they did just a short time ago. [Read more 🡒]