Winger James van Riemsdyk is one of the more prominent names left on the board heading into the trade deadline. However, with a cap hit of $7MM, not many teams can get involved in the bidding, at least without the possibility of double retention. To that end, Chris Johnston of NorthStar Bets and TSN reports (Twitter link) that the current asking price for the 33-year-old is a third-round pick.
Johnston adds that the Golden Knights, Jets, and Kraken are among the teams that have inquired about van Riemsdyk so far. Notably, none of those teams have enough cap space to take on his contract outright while Vegas would need either a third team to get involved to be able to add him. The veteran has nine goals and 14 assists in 41 games this season and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
More from Philadelphia:
- Center Sean Couturier skated before practice today as he works his way back from his back injury, relays Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). The veteran has yet to play this season but GM Chuck Fletcher acknowledged last month that there was a possibility Couturier could return before the end of the season. At this point, the goal of a return would simply be to try to remove any questions about the possibility of the injury lingering into 2023-24.
- The Flyers are open to offers for center Kevin Hayes, reports Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now. The veteran is having a nice season with 17 goals and 32 assists in 61 games which would be appealing to many buyers. However, his cap hit of $7.143MM through 2025-26 will make the 30-year-old difficult to move without considerable salary retention. A trade involving Hayes is likely easier to make in the summer when other teams will be more willing to move a roster player back to help match salary.
- Philadelphia has activated wingers Zack MacEwen and Tanner Laczynski from IR, notes Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic (Twitter link). MacEwen has missed more than a month after undergoing surgery on his fractured jaw while Laczynski has missed the last three months with a lower-body injury. If the Flyers wind up moving out some forwards today, MacEwen and Laczynski should be their replacements in the lineup, meaning no recalls would be needed from AHL Lehigh Valley.
Hurricanes should be all in on JVR.
Regarding Sean Couturier, I would think a few more extra months of rest & rehab would be more prudent than…. “try to remove any questions about the possibility of the injury lingering into 2023-24,” especially in a lost season. It’s a back injury, it will always be lingering.
SMH