NHL Rumors: Several Goaltending Trade Options For Flyers

Friday, January 10, 2025

The Philadelphia Flyers are seeking solutions to their goaltending woes as the March 7 trade deadline approaches, according to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic. 

With a league-worst .869 save percentage and a 3.49 goals-against average, the Flyers' inconsistent netminding has been a persistent problem. 

Ivan Fedotov has shown flashes of reliability, including a strong performance in a 3-2 overtime loss to Toronto, but injuries to Sam Ersson and struggles from Aleksei Kolosov have left the team in a precarious position. 

Kurz reports that the Flyers are exploring the trade market for a veteran goaltender with NHL experience to stabilize their crease.

Several potential trade targets could provide the Flyers with much-needed relief. Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, despite a challenging season with a .889 save percentage, could be an option if Columbus retains part of his $5.4 million annual salary through 2026-27. 

James Reimer of the Buffalo Sabres is another candidate, offering a steady presence with a career .910 save percentage and affordable cap hit. 

Louis Domingue of the New York Rangers and other names like Pheonix Copley, Kaapo Kahkonen, and Vitek Vanecek are also being considered, though their roles and performances this season present varying degrees of risk.

If the Flyers prefer not to part with assets, Kurz notes they could explore free-agent options such as Martin Jones, Aaron Dell, or Malcolm Subban. 

While these veterans are not long-term solutions, their experience could help the team work through its current struggles. 

Some fans argue that Philadelphia should avoid short-term fixes and instead aim for a higher draft position, but the team appears intent on finding answers in net.

Photo Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

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