Could Flyers, Sabres make for good trade partners this offseason?
The Philadelphia Flyers are looking to make additions this summer, and while the most likely outcome is adding on the margins, they are certainly keeping tabs on more impactful players, as well. According to Anthony San Filippo of the Snow the Goalie Podcast, the Flyers have been in communication with the Buffalo Sabres – most notably regarding forward JJ Peterka and defenseman Bowen Byram.
As I wrote about earlier in the week, the Flyers do like Peterka. The 23 year old German had a breakout season, registering 27 goals and 68 points through 77 games with the Sabres. By all accounts, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has the price listed high on the left winger; I can’t say for certain what it is, but as Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has reported in recent months, the Sabres do not seem like they are in a position to acquire futures.
From the Flyers’ side, Peterka’s offensive punch would certainly be welcomed. With the team looking to turn the corner under new head coach Rick Tocchett, adding a near 30-goal scorer to help a shallow offensive group and starved power play would certainly be a good start. As I reported earlier in the week, the Flyers are hesitant to give up a significant haul for wingers given their desperate need for help down the middle of the ice. That being said, Peterka is a natural left shot, left winger; he would be the only player of that ilk in the Flyers’ top nine unless they elect to start Matvei Michkov on the left side, which I have heard is a possibility to start next season.
Speculative speaking, I wonder if forward Bobby Brink is on the table for the Flyers in any potential deal to acquire a forward. The 2019 second-round pick had a nice season in his own right, registering 12 goals and 41 points in 79 games. A source told me in recent weeks that the Flyers are not looking to trade Brink; this could very well be the case, but Brink does jump out as the odd man out if the Flyers do bring in another winger.
Peterka is a pending RFA and would need a new contract. I have not gotten any indication on what the player is looking for, but if he were to be acquired by the Flyers, the safe bet would likely be a bridge deal given GM Danny Briere’s track record with his RFAs since taking over the big chair from Chuck Fletcher two years ago.
In the case of Byram, I can corroborate San Filippo’s reporting that the Flyers do like him. Byram, 24, had a career best 38 points this season while playing in all 82 games. A pending RFA in his own right, the former Colorado Avalanche defenseman could be in line for a nice payday – something I’ve heard is a concern for the Flyers.
Speaking with a team source, the Flyers have some trepidation about the potential contract demands of Byram. Byram recently switched agents to Darren Ferris, who more than one high ranking executive has told me is notorious for being a hard negotiator and always trying to get his players to UFA status. Mitch Marner, anyone?
Byram is “blocked,” so to speak, in Buffalo behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power (to say nothing of Mattias Samuelsson). With so many left-shot defenders locked in on long term deals, it is easy to see why Byram is reportedly looking to move on from the Sabres. One source mentioned to me that Byram could be looking for an AAV north of Power’s $8.35 million on a long term contract. Could this be a negotiating tactic to force the Sabres’ hand? Possibly, but it would certainly still spook teams to hear of such a demand.
Acquiring Byram would give the Flyers a somewhat overloaded left side on the back end; with RFA defenseman Cam York still in need of a new contract, it would be easy to connect the dots and view him as a trade chip. I can’t imagine the Sabres would be looking to bring in another left-shot defenseman in York if they move Byram; no slight at York, but that would be changing four quarters for a buck in a lot of ways for Adams. Could forward Owen Tippett be intriguing for the Sabres? I’d imagine so, but as of earlier this week, the Flyers are not looking to trade the 2017 first-round pick despite his down season after signing an eight-year extension in 2024.
The Flyers are keeping tabs on what is going on in Buffalo, but the prices seem to be far too high at the moment, as San Filippo reported – something I have also heard, which is why nothing is close or imminent between the two sides. With Adams being under the gun to right the ship in Buffalo and after taking heat for the return from the Ottawa Senators for Dylan Cozens, I wonder if he will take a hard line on his (possibly unreasonable) asking prices for some of his players.
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