Bet on Flyers to pursue a left-shot defenseman next
As Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere searches for potential improvements, it seems a left-shot defenseman tops his wish list. It has been well documented to this point, but Buffalo Sabres defender Bowen Byram is a name the Flyers have been tied to. As reported by On Pattison’s Anthony SanFilippo two days ago, the Flyers are no longer in the running for the former Colorado Avalanche defenseman, as the 2019 fourth overall pick does not have Philadelphia on his “short list.”
Byram, 24, recently switched agents to Darren Ferris, who is notorious for walking his clients to free agency – just ask the Toronto Maple Leafs regarding Mitch Marner. I’m told Byram is looking for a contract with an AAV north of Owen Power’s $8.35 million. Is that a ploy to strong arm his way out of Buffalo? Perhaps, but it is still one that has at least raised some red flags regarding Byram. Nevertheless, Byram and his camp clearly believe that he can reach untapped potential on a roster without having to battle for playing time alongside Rasmus Dahlin and Power.
The Sabres are believed to be looking for a forward or right-shot defenseman (of similar age) in return for Byram; whether the Flyers were willing to meet the desired asking price remains unknown. But if we are to connect dots based on past reports, the Flyers appear to be in the market for a left-side defendar.
Earlier in the offseason, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Flyers had interest in Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (a report I corroborated). Ultimately, it sounds like the smoke in the media had much to do with the player’s camp trying to drum up attention, as the Knights were hesitant about the idea of trading Hague, I’m told. Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Alex Pietrangelo, Hague may end up staying put in the desert.
The pattern in all of this? The Flyers seem to be keeping close tabs on left-shot defensemen.
Evaluating the Flyers’ defense from both a short- to long-term outlook, it makes sense why they have been looking at left-shot defensemen. Travis Sanheim plays the right side as a left-shot guy while Jamie Drysdale (and to a lesser extent Rasmus Ristolainen) figures to be a right-side fixture for the foreseeable future. Additionally, some of their most prominent defensive prospects are right-shooting in Oliver Bonk, Spencer Gill and Helge Grans.
On the left side, Cam York, Nick Seeler and Egor Zamula are main roster players. And before we go any further, I still expect York (a pending RFA) to be on the roster come opening night. Does that mean the Flyers are not open to moving him? No, but he isn’t someone they are actively shopping, by the sounds of it.
On the prospect side, Emil Andrae and Hunter McDonald are the lone prospects who figure to have a long-term crack at the Flyers’ long term outlook. Andrae had a brief stint in the NHL last season but disappointed after a hot start; he wasn’t overly impressive to finish off the year in the AHL, I’ve heard.
I’m not sure how aggressive their approach will be to continue their hunt for a left-shooting defenseman, but Seattle Kraken rearguard Jamie Oleksiak is a name I had suggested to be yesterday as an option. Oleksiak, 32, has one year remaining on his contract with the Kraken carrying an AAV of $4.6 million and a 16 team no-trade list. I can’t say for certain whether the Flyers have reached out on Oleksiak to this point; it’s also unclear if Seattle GM Jason Botterhill is even open/looking to trading him. But given their interest in similar types of defensemen in recent weeks, he does fit the type of player the Flyers have been at least keeping tabs on, and Oleksiak sits 10th on Frank Seravalli’s latest Trade Targets board.
Briere has been searching for ways to improve his team this off season, as evidenced by acquiring Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. While it is not quite the time for the Flyers to push the gas pedal to the floor to exit the rebuild, it is clear that Briere is turning the page and looking to make additions rather than subtractions – and a left-shot defenseman seems to be on his wish list.
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