NHL Trade Talk
Elias Pettersson Trade Could Be Exactly What Flyers Need
The greatest concern around the Philadelphia Flyers and their rebuild is whether or not the team has or will have the dynamic talent required to compete for Stanley Cups consistently. An Elias Pettersson trade would certainly fix that.
Right now, the Vancouver Canucks simply haven’t gotten any indication that Pettersson is willing to re-sign with them as they continue to push for negotiations. Therefore, the Canucks, and by extension, the Flyers, have a fine line to walk here. If Pettersson won’t extend with the Canucks, why would he do so with the Flyers? No such trade would take place without guarantees or otherwise an agreement in principle.
On the other hand, the Flyers might never find a reasonable time to pony up for a perennial 100-point centerman again. It’s extremely rare that a player of Pettersson’s caliber finds themselves available via trade, especially one that is a center. This is a trade possibility that could change the trajectory of the Flyers as a franchise, but it’s the price point for such a deal that will prove problematic.
The Flyers have a superstar in Matvei Michkov waiting in the wings. But, having Pettersson without Michkov defeats the purpose, right? The Flyers and the Canucks would have to come to a different solution in this case.
Because of the amount of deals and cap juggling they’ve done in the past, the Canucks find themselves especially short on draft picks. The Flyers already have two first-round picks and could very easily end up with four by the end of the trade deadline, depending on how things go.
Vancouver will always be competitive as long as they have stars like J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko, Quinn Hughes, and Filip Hronek. However, if they’re forced to trade Pettersson, they’re also forced to turn one eyeball toward the future.
Perhaps, with the help of some of the Flyers’ assets, the Canucks could then make an effort to move up in the draft to select Vancouver native Macklin Celebrini, younger brother of current Canucks prospect Aiden Celebrini.
As for the Flyers, they would hypothetically acquire their No. 1 center of the future in Pettersson, who then forms a very strong one-two punch down the middle with captain Sean Couturier. Factor in up-and-coming players like Michkov, Owen Tippett, Cam York, and Tyson Foerster, and there’s a lot to like about the future in Philadelphia.
At the end of the day, this is all conjecture. However, if push comes to shove and Pettersson is on his way out of Vancouver, the Flyers should be on the case.
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Great fantasy article without even mentioning what the haul would be going the other way. TK, Laughton and two number ones as a starting point?
Unfortunately, it isn’t my job to play armchair GM and advertise players or propose trades. We leave such things to the fans and to social media. My goal was to inform who is (potentially) available, why they are available, and what it would mean for both sides if a deal was struck. Obviously, a player of his stature is going to require a lot in return.
It isn’t your job to propose trades? That was the entire purpose of your article. You hypothesized that Pettersson could be exactly what the Flyers need, yet you didn’t close the loop by also hypothesizing what Flyers and assets would be needed in order to make your fantasy a possible reality.
You said that such things should be left to social media. Aren’t you a member of social media?
GMan, you seem to be an expert on such things as your name implies.
Why don’t you give us your incite on what the Flyers should do on trades, lines combos, etc. I’m serious. It would liven up the convo on here.
As far as trades IMHO, it sounds easy but for real valued assets it’s hard to pull off. It doesn’t make sense to me to give up TK, Laughton and two number ones for one player unless his last name begins with M
I think you show much restraint with self appointed experts telling you what your job is.
Been watching the Flyers for probably twice as long as Mr. Bailey has been alive. If you’re going to propose that Pettersson is the missing piece that the Flyers need, you then also have to propose exactly what assets would be needed for this to happen. Otherwise you’re just doing half your job.
Reminds of the oldie tune….Dream Weaver.
Why would the Canucks trade him at all this year? He is a restricted free agent who they will qualify. He has stated that he wants to be on a winning team (Canucks are top of the league, Flyers……not so much)
If so, he’d better sign something
Well looks like he’s about to. Nice article
There is ZERO chance of Vancouver letting Pettersson get away, they will give him what he wants and this foolish talk will be over.
8 years @ 11.5 million per. Fantasy over.