NHL Rumors: Flyers Expected to be Busy Ahead of Trade Deadline

As Philadelphia Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher puts it - "everything is on the table at this point". The Flyers are in the midst of a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak and help is not on the way. In fact the opposite is happening as it was announced on Wednesday the team will be without defenseman Ryan Ellis and forward Sean Couturier for potentially the rest of the season.

#Flyers Chuck Fletcher says Ryan Ellis and Sean Couturier may require surgeries that end their seasons. His recommendation to medical staff, given where they are in the standings, is to “get them right for next year.”

“We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 26, 2022

As Frank Seravalli reported on Wednesday the Flyers are already looking forward to next season. Let's hope everyone starts healthy come training camp however it's the names on the roster which may look much different. Captain Claude Giroux is going to have to decide how much he wants to make another run at a Stanley Cup as any trade will go through his no-movement clause. Sounds like those conversations are taking place.

If Giroux is dealt, expect the Flyers to retain a portion (maybe half?) of his $8.275M salary cap hit. https://t.co/tt6r3hMjlN
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 26, 2022

The Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators would be interesting fits for Giroux, at this time it seems like the Avs are trending. They need a right-shot top-six forward as Nathan MacKinnon is currently riding solo in mile high. Adding Giroux to their group would be scary and it will be interesting to see what happens with the Flyers legend. The 34-year-old is in the final year of his eight-year deal making $8.27 annually. They are expected to being open to retaining half of Giroux's salary and that will certainly sweeten their return in any deal.

Expect the unexpected in Philly as Fletcher seems to be up to something big. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen could also be on the way out as he's another pending free agent and same with goaltender Martin Jones who has been recently linked to the Edmonton Oilers. Sounded like Fletcher wanted more than just a late-round pick from Oilers general manager Ken Holland and the deal fell apart.

Philadelphia will try to re-tool and be competitive next season. For now, the focus is finding a way to win a hockey game.