One week ago, Philadelphia Flyers’ general manager Ron Hextall said he would listen to trade offers for his recently won No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft, which created some discussion on whether a team should consider doing that. The Flyers are hardly at the bottom of the pack as they leapfrogged most of the struggling teams to go from the 13th overall pick to the second pick. The belief is they could trade the pick, which would likely net them a young Nolan Patrick or a Nico Hischier, and bring in a huge package that could net them success immediately. (Even possible rumors of Colorado packing Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog have been suggested as a possibility.)
CSN Philly’s writers Tom Dougherty, Jordan Hall and Greg Paone discussed the pros and cons of whether Hextall should even be receptive to moving the pick. Dougherty writes that the team can’t even consider the move. It was the biggest jump in NHL lottery history and shouldn’t be taken for granted. He believes the teams should hold onto either Patrick or Hischier and continue building from there.
Hall is quick to point out that Hextall’s strategy has been to build a franchise from within, so why would the Flyers GM change suddenly. Even if this isn’t the strongest draft, the No. 2 pick should get them one top-notch playmaker and that will only make Hextall’s plan more successful. Paone believes that the team should look at it differently, although he is quick to point out that he doesn’t see the Flyers making a trade, but he points out that the draft, in any sport, has too many busts for a team to not consider making a trade. Trading that pick for a young, already established NHL player would make more sense in many ways.
The Flyers have a nice team already with core players Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux, Branden Schenn and Wayne Simmons all about to hit their prime and plenty of youth not far behind. So which is better, adding another piece of youth or packaging that piece for a king’s ransom?
Yes to Montreal for Galchenyuk and a first round pick and maybe some other assets
Right maybe Montreal will throw in Weber too.
Philly would need a clear number one goalie and other stuff probably
If I was their GM, which I obviously never will be, if I could manage a Duchene, Landeskog, etc. player with the number 2, I would pull the trigger. Gives them a dynamic playmaker that will only make them better. I would then take a run at Bishop on a short deal, play Nuevirth as the backup, and put Stolarz in the minors.
How about tanev and a 2 nd rounder
Not sure that would do it, Flyers have a bunch of young dmen ready to come up, they need scoring bad.
It would have to be their first rounder
try making a trade for a goalie or do a sign and trade for bishop me personally I’m a Wings fan I think u our a goalie away defense is young just don’t think them forwards fit the system
Yes, the Flyers should consider trading the #2 pick. That doesn’t mean they should take the best offer and move the pick. If they get a really good deal that helps them moving forward, then make the trade. If the trade offers aren’t acceptable, then keep the pick and select either Patrick or Hischier. It doesn’t hurt to listen to offers.