NHL Rumours: Philadelphia Flyers Search for Defensive Help

It’s time for some more NHL rumours. We’re into the opening week of the regular season, but that doesn’t mean that the hot stove talk has stopped. Teams are already trying to address some needs on their respective rosters. Some teams already know that they might not be contenders. However, these teams do want to show some sort of improvement. This means we could see some early-season trades to make adjustments.

One team that’s desperate to make changes in the Philadelphia Flyers. This edition of NHL rumours addresses one positional need that the Flyers are already looking to improve.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Philadelphia Flyers On a Quest to Improve Defence

Rumour: We go through a recap of information stemming from a report via Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The insider mentioned that the Flyers are in the market to improve their defence.

Analysis: A recent edition of the 32 Thoughts column  said that Philadelphia is seeking defensive help. It’s early in the season and usually trades don’t occur that often at this juncture. However, it seems that Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere is willing to make a move.

A move like this might be needed as both Rasmus Ristolainen and Cam York are out to start the season. The already thin defensive group is down two key players and it might start to show.

Philadelphia hung in with the defending Stanley Cup champions, but eventually lost to the Florida Panthers, 2-1, to open the season. The games are going to come in at a quick pace due this being an Olympic year and that means the Flyers will need reinforcements.

According to Puckpedia, Philadelphia has $6.7 million in cap space in order to make a move. However, the team doesn’t want to just use that space for a third-pair defender. This is according to Anthony Di Marco of The Daily Faceoff.

What It Means

The Flyers made some extra salary cap space after dealing Ryan Ellis‘ contract to the San Jose Sharks. Briere has said plenty of times that he wants to see his team start showing signs of progress. Di Marco added that it means the Flyers are willing to use that cap space to their advantage.

The Flyers writer added that the idea is to get a defenceman to pair with Jamie Drysdale on the second pairing. This would bump Nick Seeler down to the third pairing and give him some more favourable matchups. However, it seems that Philadelphia has a specific requirement for any new defender.

Di Marco mentions that the Flyers are looking for a left-handed shooting defender. This would give them some balance when it comes to their defensive pairings. Philadelphia might revisit one name they had looked into previously.

There had been some interest in acquiring Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres. However, the asking price was too much for Philadelphia. Byram did re-sign with the Sabres for two seasons, but it could be possible for the Flyers to pursue the 24-year-old blueliner once again.