Insider Reveals Updates on Sean Walker, Nick Seeler Futures With Flyers

The question of whether the Philadelphia Flyers will be trading or extending one or both of Sean Walker and Nick Seeler continues to be one of the big stories to watch as we barrel toward Friday's trade deadline.

Contract talks have been ongoing with the Flyers and both sought-after defensemen, and insider David Pagnotta has revealed the sticking point in talks, and suggests it could still go either way on both. He says that Walker's camp is wanting five years on an extension, which could be the hold-up.

It's been a little quiet on both sides as they try to navigate an extension in Philadelphia between the Flyers and Walker's camp. They're also trying to do it with Nick Seeler on a four year extension... They're also looking at four years with Sean Walker, I think his camp is looking at five and we'll see if they can bridge that gap. Otherwise, Walker seems like a great candidate to be moved if they can't get that extension done.

Both impending free agents have been tied to a number of teams searching for help on the blueline, but the Flyers remain in a playoff spot with a six-point lead on the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. It stands to reason that Philly would not want to move these two, who have been so crucial to the team's defensive improvement this season, if they don't have to. Thus, extension talks continue.

But a later update from insider Frank Servalli indicates that the Flyers seem resigned to not being able to extend both D-men.

Still 3 days to go, but sounds increasingly unlikely that #Flyers will be re-signing both Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. They've got a good feel now on what both will cost.

Meantime, they're fielding trade offers for both and will weigh return vs. extension. One likely traded.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 5, 2024

Walker is having his best NHL season in this his sixth year in the league, and his first season with the Flyers. He's averaging career-highs with 19:36 of ice time per game, a plus/minus rating of +9, and 86 hits. His six goals is a personal best, and with 22 points and 98 blocked shots, he's also on pace to top his career bests in those categories as well.

Seeler, similarly, also in his 6th season, has also set—or is on pace to set—career highs in almost every category across the board, with 17 minutes per night, 184 blocked shots, 112 hits and 12 points in 63 games.

Seeler will miss a bit of time after blocking a shot with his left foot in Monday night's game, but it's not expected to be a long-term injury of any sort.

Nick Seeler came back for the third period but left late in the third period. Didn’t take a shift after the 9 minute mark.

During the shifts he took in the final frame he wasn’t putting a lot of pressure on his foot, resting it after ever shift on the bench.#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/AoZvECipn3
— Dylan H. Robillard (@DylanRobillard_) March 5, 2024