Philadelphia Flyers appear unlikely to sign both Sean Walker, Nick Seeler
According to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Philadelphia Flyers are unlikely to sign both of Sean Walker and Nick Seeler and are fielding trade offers for both.
Still 3 days to go, but sounds increasingly unlikely that #Flyers will be re-signing both Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. They've got a good feel now on what both will cost.
Meantime, they're fielding trade offers for both and will weigh return vs. extension. One likely traded.
The two blueliners have been the subject of heavy trade rumors ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8. The pair are set to become UFAs this summer, with Walker holding a $2.65 million cap hit and Nick Seeler sitting at a more team-friendly $775,000.
The two veterans currently make up Philadelphia’s second pairing, but their inexpensive cap hits have made them the speculation of trade rumors. Walker, 29, is having a career year with 22 points in 63 games, putting him on pace for 63. Walker is listed as No. 4 on Seravalli’s trade targets board, with the believed ask for Walker’s next contract somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million per season for four years.
Seeler, 30, is a rough-and-tumble defenseman known more for his physical play. He has 12 points and 78 penalty minutes in 63 games while averaging a career-best 16:58 in ice time in his third year with the Flyers. A team looking to add some extra toughness while capable of getting decent ice time could do much worse than adding Seeler.
Despite sitting third in the Metropolitan Division, GM Daniel Briere is still expected to be a seller ahead of the deadline later this week. The team has a 29-20-7 record with 65 points, five clear of the New Jersey Devils, who currently hold the third wild-card spot. The Flyers got off to a hot start, which helped them stay in a playoff position for most of the season, but they’re 4-5-1 over the past 10 games.
The Flyers have just one game before the trade deadline, a March 7 meeting with the best team in the NHL, the Florida Panthers. It’s entirely possible that one of Philly’s two defenders are moved before then, but it’s looking like a solid chance at least one is moved by 3:00 PM ET on Friday.