TRADE: Flyers Flip Pending UFA for 2027 Draft Pick; Full Analysis

The Philadelphia Flyers made their first trade at the NHL trade deadline, dealing forward Andrei Kuzmenko to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft selection, with the Flyers retaining 50% of Kuzmenko’s salary.

Elliote Friedman was first to break the trade, Frank Seravalli had the return.

Kuzmenko was the headline player in the return for the Morgan Frost/Joel Farabee trade to Calgary. Since then, he has played seven games in a Flyers’ uniform, tallying two goals and three assists for five points.

Being a pending unrestricted free agent, it makes sense that the Flyers flipped Kuzmenko at the deadline. He could not really find his hit in Philadelphia–though he did not have much time to catch a groove with any linemates. Kuzmenko lived up to his expectations: an inconsistent offensive forward who is an elite power play threat.

He looked good during his extremely short stint in Philly, which is likely the reason as to why the Flyers were able to get a third-round pick for him, even if it is in 2027.

The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko’s remaining salary, which comes off the books at the end of this season.

The Flyers are still being hit with the dead cap money of Tony DeAngelo and Cam Atkinson. However, the only retained salary the Flyers have right now is Kevin Hayes. Kuzmenko will now take up the second retained salary slot for the Flyers, leaving the door open to retain one more deal.

That still leaves plenty of options on the table for the Flyers. The NHL trade deadline is now less than three hours away. Kuzmenko may have been the first trade at the deadline, but he does not seem like he will be the last player traded before the 3:00 p.m. EST. deadline.