The Daily: Flyers Hunt for a Defenseman; Trade Target Staying Put; Edmonton Takes Game 1

On today’s edition of “The Daily”, we discuss the latest Philadelphia Flyers rumor, which links the team to Vegas defenseman Nic Hague, and what it could mean.

We also discuss the potential availability of a possible RFA, as well as the thrilling Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Finally, we wrap up today’s Daily with some of the biggest stories around the National Hockey Now network.

Read More: Jason Robertson Could Be Dealt and the Flyers Need to Go All In

Flyers Interested in Nic Hague

Yesterday, Elliote Friedman reported that the Philadelphia Flyers were interested in Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague. The 6’6″ defender would be a massive (ha, see what I did there) size upgrade to the Flyers’ blueline, but that is it.

That would also coincide with Brandon Sommermann’s report earlier in the week that the Flyers and Knights have talked about a defenseman for a forward swap. Vegas clearly is the defender, indicating their interest in Flyers forwards. The question now becomes, who?

Vegas is clearly in the market for wingers, given their depth down the middle. Plus, if you need centers, Philly is probably the last place you should go shopping.

That said, let’s go down the list. The Flyers are not trading Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, or Tyson Foerster, regardless. Owen Tippett holds much more value than a depth defender, so that can’t be him, unless it’s more than a one-for-one. Assuming fourth-line guys like Nic Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway aren’t of any interest, that leaves Bobby Brink and Jakob Pelletier.

I genuinely don’t see the Flyers moving Brink in a swap deal, so maybe it could be an RFA right swap of Hague and Pelletier, but who knows?

In all honesty, I would avoid trading for Hague, unless it is for literal pennies on the dollar, and he resigns for cheap. Hague would be, at best, a rotational bottom-pair guy in Philadelphia that adds size and physicality.

Mason McTavish Is Not Going Anywhere

The Flyers have needed a center for a long time, and for a little while, Mason McTavish seemed like a perfect fit. He’s still very young, has shown a boatload of promise, and for a little while, seemed reasonably attainable.

The Anaheim Ducks have a lot of RFAs to sign over the next two to three seasons and beyond, and it seemed like a generally justified thought that McTavish could be a casualty. However, that may not be the case. Eric Stephens of The Athletic did a “who stays, who goes” type of story, breaking down the futures of the Ducks and where they stand.

While McTavish was not an “untouchable”, he did put the centerman in the “not going anywhere” category, and his rationale just made sense. He’s 22 years old and scored 16 goals in the final 36 games of the season–no need to give up on him.

The Ducks have plenty of cap space and will match any reasonable offer, and I don’t see a team offering unmatchable money to him at this point. Therefore, unless a team makes Anaheim an offer they can’t refuse for his RFA rights, Mason McTavish is no longer a candidate for offer sheets or trades.

Read More: Flyers Defenseman Finds Himself on Trade Boards, Again

Oilers Win a Thrilling Game 1; The Rematch is a Blessing

There is absolutely nothing better than playoff hockey. The Stanley Cup Finals prove that every year. Last year, the Edmonton Oilers nearly reverse-swept the Florida Panthers before the Cats eventually got away with a Game 7 victory to lift the cup. This year, we get the rematch.

Leon Draisaitl wasted no time, getting the first goal of the series just 66 seconds into Game 1. Right then, I thought that this game was already over. Then, Florida struck twice, and again early in the second period.

All of a sudden, it’s a 3-1 game, and again, I thought that this game was over. Well, I should probably stop thinking that, because it’s never over.

The Oilers promptly responded and brought the game back within a score. Mattias Ekholm evened it up in the third, and who else but Draisaitl, again, to win the game in the winding seconds of the first overtime period. Game 1 was excellent, and it was just setting the tone.

This is going to be a phenomenal series.

Read More: The Daily: Flyers Extensions; Draft Prospect Healthy; Trade Rumors & More

National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: In a surprising move, the Pittsburgh Penguins named Dan Muse, a former assistant coach of the New York Rangers, their new head coach. Our friends over at Pittsburgh Hockey Now got to speak to some people very close to Muse and got to know their new coach a little better.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche took one of the better UFA centers off the market. The Avs resigned a deadline acquisition to a three-year deal, and Colleen Flynn breaks down why it is a good move for Colorado.

Islanders Hockey Now: Elmont was supposed to be the home of the 2026 All-Star Weekend, which turned into an Olympic send-off on Long Island. The fanbase and organization were frustrated by the switch, but Commissioner Bettman is trying to fix it.

Read More: Could the Flyers Be a Fit for a Top Trade Candidate? (+)

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