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TRADE: Flyers Flip Pending UFA for 2027 Draft Pick; Full Analysis
The Philadelphia Flyers made their first trade at the NHL trade deadline, dealing forward Andrei Kuzmenko to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft selection, with the Flyers retaining 50% of Kuzmenko’s salary.
Elliote Friedman was first to break the trade, Frank Seravalli had the return.
Read More: TRANSACTION: Aleksei Kolosov Loaned Back to Lehigh Valley
Kuzmenko with the Flyers
Kuzmenko was the headline player in the return for the Morgan Frost/Joel Farabee trade to Calgary. Since then, he has played seven games in a Flyers’ uniform, tallying two goals and three assists for five points.
Being a pending unrestricted free agent, it makes sense that the Flyers flipped Kuzmenko at the deadline. He could not really find his hit in Philadelphia–though he did not have much time to catch a groove with any linemates. Kuzmenko lived up to his expectations: an inconsistent offensive forward who is an elite power play threat.
He looked good during his extremely short stint in Philly, which is likely the reason as to why the Flyers were able to get a third-round pick for him, even if it is in 2027.
50% Retention
The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko’s remaining salary, which comes off the books at the end of this season.
The Flyers are still being hit with the dead cap money of Tony DeAngelo and Cam Atkinson. However, the only retained salary the Flyers have right now is Kevin Hayes. Kuzmenko will now take up the second retained salary slot for the Flyers, leaving the door open to retain one more deal.
That still leaves plenty of options on the table for the Flyers. The NHL trade deadline is now less than three hours away. Kuzmenko may have been the first trade at the deadline, but he does not seem like he will be the last player traded before the 3:00 p.m. EST. deadline.
Read More: NHL Trade Deadline: Teams Are Busy–What’s Holding up the Flyers?
Clueless, as usual. Had high hopes for Brier and Jonesey, but that is gone.
What did you want them to do with an expiring deal?
Leave on the roster and plant flowers when the frost is gone?
It’s a good move. They got a pick for an UFA. Got to see his work ethic and personality for a few weeks. May sign Kuz in the offseason if they liked him.
How is this clueless?
Interesting move, can’t say much for the return since the pick is 2 years away. Danny and Jonesy really love their draft capital haha
If one considers that Cozens went for two floundering former first round picks (Norris and Bernard-Docker), one would think that Farabee (Syracuse native) and Frost would have been way more appealing.
While Farabee may have been a salary dump, I think shedding him and Frost for a 2nd in 2025, a 2027 3rd rounder, a 2028 7th rounder and Pelletier (who hasn’t shown anyone anything yet) seems like dreadful management of the club. Pathetic.
Sabres may have also been up against the cap with the Cozens’ deal, so the trade to the Sens….. he was signed to a 7 year, $49.7M contract with a cap hit of $7.1M per season….and Danny did not want to take that on.
Sabres may have also been up against the cap with the Cozens’ deal, so the trade to the Sens…
The Sabres ADDED salary in the deal with Ottawa. Norris is on a tick below $8MM.
At some point, good ol’ Danny the Dipshit needs to spend money. Having Cozens in the fold is at least a shot at trying to improve the club.
And by the way… Farabee is on $5M and Frost is on $2.1M. Cozens? You guessed it $7.1M per (albeit with term).
Laughton’s return from the Leafs was a very good trade…..any Russian hockey player named Nikita is a winner in my book.
Good trade for Leafs and Flyers….who wouldn’t want a Russian hockey player named Nikita and the pick also.
Laughton going to Toronto was almost foregone conclusion.
Never found his groove? He had five points in seven games! The only way this makes sense is if they talked to him about re-signing and he was wanting more than $2-2.5m per season. Kuzmenko is skilled offensively. The Flyers need skill offensively. But no, let’s trade him for a third-round pick two years from now that likely won’t turn into anything. That way, the rebuild can continue in perpetuity.
Poor wording on my part. It was more in reference to Torts referencing not being able to find a line fit. He certainly produced at a better clip than most Flyers have this year.