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Initial Reaction to Trade with Flames; Flyers Make a Cap Trade

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Joel Farabee, Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers left wing Joel Farabee (86) warms up for the team's NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

My initial reaction after the Philadelphia Flyers trade with the Calgary Flames Thursday night is that the Flyers walk away the clear-cut winners.



Details of the Flyers’ Trade with the Flames

PHI Gets:

Left-winger Andrei Kuzmenko, left-winger Jakob Pelletier, 2025 second-round pick, 2028 seventh-round pick.

CGY Gets:

Center Morgan Frost, left-winger Joel Farabee.

Flyers Grade: B+

The Flyers gave up more than initially thought when the news broke that the Flyers and Flames were talking Kuzmenko.

However, the Flyers got solid value in return for two guys who needed a scenery change. While the Flyers got an intriguing prospect in Pelletier and a vet in Kuzmenko, a good portion of the value in this trade goes beyond the physical return.

Moving Farabee’s remaining $15 million over three years opens up $5 million more in cap space in each of the next three years. Kuzmenko is due to make $5.5 million this season, but his contract will be off the books entirely after this season. The Flyers made a salary dump AND got more assets in return? That was a solid trade from GM Daniel Briere.

Staying with Kuzmenko, he is a former teammate of Matvei Michkov. The two played together at SKA St. Petersburg in 2021/22, giving Michkov a new linemate with some faint familiarity.

The move also gives the Flyers’ season a new sense of direction. The bar just got a lot lower, and the Flyers could see themselves trending toward a better draft pick.

Flyers Not Done?

The big reason I am high on this trade for the Flyers is that I do not think they’re done.

Look at the Flyers’ center depth after the trade. They traded away their 1c and now have Noah Cates, Sean Couturier, and Rodrigo Abols/Ryan Poehling down the middle. That isn’t good, even for a rebuilding team.

With the Flyers’ current assets and draft capital, I think they could be gearing up to make a move. The in-season trade of Frost and Farabee could indicate that it may come sooner rather than later. The Flyers could shake things up some more in the near future.

Flames Grade: C+

The big win for Calgary is not giving up a first-round draft selection.

While Frost and Farabee may not seem like a lot, getting out of this trade without dealing a first-rounder was a big deal for the Flames, and it jumped them from a C to a C+, in my opinion.

Frost and Farabee are both capable of being 40+ point scorers. The change of scenery could be good for them. Frost is an RFA at the end of the season, and I am sure he will be, at a very minimum, given an offer sheet by the Flames if not given an extension. Farabee is around for three more years after this.

Calgary is in the playoff hunt, and added two forwards that can make an immediate impact. While I think they could have made better moves for what they gave up, it is still not one of the worst moves.

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Buzz

I agree with you that it was a good salary dump, however the only real value is the 2nd round pick. Both Kuzmenko and Pelletier will be given a chance for the rest of the season but you need that salary freedom and cut ties with Kuzmenko after the season. Pelletier will either be another Phantom / Flyer bottom tier player after they sign his RFA extension. This team is filled with guys that play that role. Hopefully we can get a top line center either in a trade for some of those draft picks or free agency. The problem is no one wants to come here and play for Torts. When he doesn’t like someone he rides them to death and eventually they get traded. The players must hate playing for him. Hopefully he doesn’t ruin Michkov. Torts wants a team of grinders. You need to let the talent you do have, which is not much, create offense, not harp about playing a 200 ft. game all the time.

Not Offsides

I would rate the trade higher than C+ for Calgary. They got two younger guys who have the potential to give them more than what they gave up. For us, we saw the ceiling on those two and it’s not enough. The salary space if we decide not to re-sign Kuzmenko is huge. But, if he somehow is able to recapture his earlier scoring numbers and clicks with Michkov, what a home run for DB. Not saying he will but it’s a chance to take at this point.

Another thought: Has DB already decided he’s moving on from Torts after the season? Then who cares if Torts has a problem with Kuzmenko?

Jstripsky

The evaluation of the trade is different depending on who you ask. TSN calls it a “home run” for Calgary. If both sides are happy, then it is probably good for both teams and fulfills what they wanted from it.

Romus

Have to assume the trade has popped the cork, and now Danny will try to move Risto for the best offer, and possibly also Laughton…..while some Phantoms may be given some extended prime time NHL experience…ie Andrae, Ginning, Grans, Lycksell, Samu T. Rizzo etc.
The cap relief after July will help him navigate the make-up of a new roster.

Romus

Flames GM Craig Conroy:
“As a group, we’ve had a plan moving forward what we want to do, age-appropriate guys,” It’s not always easy. I know people always want something to happen really quick, but we felt that at this point these two players are going to be a huge bump in our lineup. We get a center, age appropriate, and something we were really looking for (in Frost). Joel Farabee is a proven two-time 20-goal scorer. He brings some jam. We’re really, really excited about the guys we’re bringing in.”

GMAN

Both guys needed a change in scenery since neither of them were consistent and both were in Tort’s doghouse. Kuzmenko will give Michkov some comfort the rest of the year and depending upon how they gel will determine whether or not he gets a contract offer from the Flyers. On the surface I would say no since it seems from what I read he isn’t a 200 foot guy that Torts covets. The possible upside of Pelletier and the second second pick and of course the salary dump are the positives for the Flyers out of this trade.

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