The Philadelphia Flyers have missed the playoffs in five consecutive seasons and will not be ready to finish that streak this yr. After a 76-point finish in 2024-25, they did add Trevor Zegras in an offseason trade. But they’re expected to be sellers on the NHL trade deadline once more. If the Flyers do sell, they need to trade Rasmus Ristolainen and Christian Dvorak, amongst others.
All pending free agents can be in the marketplace if the Flyers are way out of the playoffs on the deadline. But last yr, Scott Laughton was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs with a yr of team control left. General manager Daniel Briere has been rebuilding the team over a few years, and this deadline needs to be one other checkpoint for that rebuild. There are core members locked in, but there are also loads of trade candidates.
The Flyers needs to be sellers on the NHL trade deadline, assuming Rick Tocchet doesn’t turn it around quickly. Who needs to be on the move?
Christian Dvorak could have a brief Flyers stint
During NHL free agency, Christian Dvorak signed a one-year deal price $5.4 million with the Flyers. As a middle, it was expected that a contender would give him a multi-year deal. But as an alternative, the previous Montreal Canadien signed a prove-it deal in Philly. If he proves that he is usually a solid middle-six center for a contender, he will likely be a deadline candidate.
Dvorak scored 12 goals with 21 assists in 82 games with the Canadiens last yr. While he was not the top-line center the Habs were hoping for, he might be solid down the center. The Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings could each be on the lookout for reinforcements to contend within the deep Western Conference.
Rasmus Ristolainen may very well be on the move
The NHL is a copycat league, and the Florida Panthers are currently the beau of the ball. A part of their recipe for consecutive Stanley Cups has been big, physical defensemen. That’s what Rasmus Ristolainen is, even along with his faults as a player. He won’t drive offense and has a bone-headed defensive play every now and then. But in the precise role with the precise coaches, he may very well be a playoff performer.
The Panthers keep adding to their defense, even with their star-studded group. Could they convey in Ristolainen from the Flyers on the NHL trade deadline to interchange Nate Schmidt, who left in free agency? They do not need a first-round pick until 2028, so Philadelphia could have a look at prospects as an alternative.
But a contender trying to challenge the Panthers could call the Flyers on Ristolainen. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers may ask about Ristolainen. Would the Flyers part with him, though he’s under contract through 2027? If it brings in one other first-round pick, it will be price it.
Which team would herald an enforcer?
The Flyers signed Nicolas Deslauriers to a four-year contract throughout the 2022 offseason for one reason. He embodies Flyers hockey along with his physicality and fighting ability. The playoffs are where that physicality is most significant, and Deslauriers has not played there since 2022 with the Minnesota Wild. Along with his contract expiring, the Flyers should give him that chance to play within the postseason.
The Maple Leafs removed Ryan Reaves within the offseason and will look to interchange him on the deadline. Any young team that’s on the playoff cusp but doesn’t wish to sell the farm will likely be in on Deslauriers on the deadline. He won’t cost a first-round pick, however the front office can say they tried to enhance the roster with the deal.