This Flyers Defenseman Wouldn’t Mind Getting Traded

Justin Braun, the steady Philadelphia Flyers defenseman, wouldn’t mind getting traded to a contender this week.

The trade deadline is Friday at 3 p.m., and Braun is among the Flyers who is available.

Braun, 36, was asked if he would like going to a contender.

“Yeah, I would like to have that opportunity again,” he said after Monday’s practice in Voorhees. “It’s a tough situation because if I’m going to a contender, I might be a 7 or 8 (defenseman), and you’re sitting around. You want to be playing.  But to have that opportunity to win — you don’t know how many you have left to have a chance to win — and it would be nice to have that chance.”

A year ago, the Flyers sent Braun to the New York Rangers for a third-round draft pick late in the season. He re-signed with the Flyers as a free agent in the summer.

“It’s stressful, obviously, with the family,” said Braun about the trade deadline and possibly relocating from their home in Cherry Hill. “But whatever happens, happens. You can’t really control it.”

Torts on potential trades. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/1MhzBlhVJY

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) February 27, 2023

Braun was a healthy scratch for most of January and early February, but has been playing more recently as the Philadelphia Flyers have tried to showcase him. A defensive defenseman, he has one point and is minus-1 in 39 games.

The righthanded-shooting Braun said he was “still a little rusty” from sitting out so much. “It’s hard; we haven’t been practicing a lot because we’ve had so many games crowded together. So getting back (to form) has been a little harder, but we’re getting there.”

Seeler wants to stay

Nick Seeler, 29, is another Flyers defenseman who has been mentioned in trade conjecture. He has had a solid season and has been one of the Flyers most physical players.

The Minnesota native was adamant that he wants to remain in Philly.

“I want to be here. I want to be a Flyer,” Seeler said. “I love it here. But you can’t control what happens, and that’s just part of our jobs.”

Seeler has set career highs in goals (three) and points (10), and is plus-2 in 58 games. He is one of four Flyers regulars who is a “plus” player, behind Cam York (plus-6), Wade Allison (plus-5), and Noah Cates (plus-4).

“It’s been fun. It’s been a good year in terms of playing consistently and gaining confidence in my game,” he said.

Seeler said it will be a relief when the trade deadline passes.

“It’s a stressful time for guys,” he said. “It’s out livelihoods and our life. It’ll be nice on Friday when it’s over.”

Konecny update

Travis Konecny’s unspecified upper-body injury will keep him out a long time, coach John Tortorella said. He didn’t say the right winger will miss the rest of the season, but it didn’t sound good.

Konecny leads the Flyers in goals (27) and points (54).

Torts is candid

Tortorella said what everyone already knew: “We’re not getting into the playoffs.” He also said the Flyers will be sellers at the deadline. Duh.

But he added a sobering footnote: “Next year is going to be a grind, too. This is a process. It’s going to take time.”

A message to GM Chuck Fletcher to get the process expedited?

Breakaways

The Flyers recalled Elliot Desnoyers from the Phantoms. … Tortorella said goalie Sam Ersson will remain with the Phantoms because it’s important they make the AHL playoffs. … Kevin Hayes, James van Riemsdyk and Wade Allison are banged up, and they missed Monday’s practice because of maintenance days. All are expected to skate at Tuesday’s practice, per Tortorella. The Flyers host the Rangers on Wednesday, and Tortorella said he hasn’t talked yet to Fletcher about whether JVR — who is likely to get traded this week — will miss the game as a precaution. … When his playing career ends down the road, defenseman Tony DeAngelo said, he’d like to be an NHL general manager.

Flyers Trade Struggling LW to Nashville