NHL Daily: Flyers Lay an Egg; Trade Rumors Growing

When you are on the fringe of playoff contention, you cannot afford to play a lifeless game.

Yet, the Philadelphia Flyers did just that Thursday night in Seattle, getting embarrassed by the Kraken, 6-2.

“Probably our worst game of the year,” left winger James van Riemsdyk, who is expected to be traded soon, told reporters,

The Flyers had one shot in the first period. One. That set the tone for their third straight loss.

As an added insult, the loss was absorbed against former Flyers coach Dave Hakstol, who has the second-year Kraken with a stunning 31-18-6 record.

The Flyers are 22-24-10 and eight points out of a playoff spot with 26 games left.

Well, at least they play a team in worse shape on Saturday, the Vancouver Canucks, (21-30-4) now coached by former Flyers star Rick Tocchet.

The Canucks, like the Flyers, are expected to be sellers at the March 3 trade deadline. Former Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn, 33, is among the Canucks on the trade block. He is reportedly drawing trade interest from Boston, Toronto, and Calgary.

Trade rumors are heating up as the deadline gets closer. Among them: Edmonton will almost certainly deal Jesse Puljujarvi before the deadline. The 6-4, 201-pound right winger was the No. 4 overall selection in the 2016 draft.

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers allowed the Kraken to skate circles around them as they fell in Seattle, 6-2. It was not the way they wanted to start their four-game road trip. Philadelphia Flyers.

Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers are set to deal Jesse Puljujarvi, writes Mark Spector. The big right winger is having a poor season, but he has lots of potential. Edmonton Oilers.

Vancouver Canucks: Canucks defenseman Luke Schenn is reportedly on the radar of three teams. The trade deadline is March 3. Vancouver Canucks.

Florida Hockey Now: Anton Lundell had three points as the Panthers moved into a tie with Washington in points. They defeated the Alex Ovechkin-less Capitals, 6-3. Washington still holds the last wildcard spot because it has a game in hand on the Cats. Florida Panthers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: After going 2-1 on the West Coast, the Penguins will play the next three games against Metro rivals; The Islanders, Devils and Islanders again. The Isles are two points behind Pittsburgh, which has four games in hand. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Colorado Hockey Now: Which players on the Avalanches could be moved in a trade? Evan Rawal gives the rundown. Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs are running out of time to showcase Sean Monahan. Montreal Canadiens.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Islanders placed Jean-Gabriel Pageau on the IR list and recalled veteran forward Andy Andreoff from their AHL affiliate, Bridgeport. Andreoff, 31, who played part of two seasons with the Flyers, has 20 goals and 38 points in 46 AHL games this season. New York Islanders.