Flyers Trade Rumors: Coming Off Career Year, Joel Farabee Could Be Dealt

 

When all 82 games are taken into account, Philadelphia Flyers former first-rounder (14th overall, 2014 NHL Draft) Joel Farabee had himself a nice season—his best thus far in the NHL, in fact. 22 goals and 50 points, both career highs. 

And yet in some circles, there are whispers that Farabee could be traded this summer. Insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet wondered this week whether Farabee might be on the block, and Jonathan Bailey of Philly Hockey Now had more speculation:

When there’s smoke, there’s fire, and Farabee... sounded like a player who was not completely satisfied with his role on the Flyers down the stretch.

He wound up playing a lot of third- and fourth-line minutes as the season wound down, and had just one point in the last 11 games. Bailey also noted that Farabee managed only 17 shots on goal during that period – about one and a half per game – while seeing his ice time plummet, down to only 14:36 in those 11 games.

"I think when you’re playing third and fourth line, sometimes you have to give up some of the offense to focus on the defensive game and focus on the D side of things," said Farabee. 

“I personally would love to play as much as I can, but like I said, whatever role I’m given that night, I try to just do to the best of my ability.”

Bailey also points out that Farabee has no trade protection in his contract, and also lists a number of other wingers that they have to find ice time for as well, including Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, and youngster Bobby Brink. 

He also mentions Cam Atkinson, but we dealt with his expected departure here. 

Farabee is in the middle of a 6-year, $30 million deal, and the Flyers should be able to find a taker for a former first-round talent who set personal bests this season, if they so choose. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports