NHL Rumor Roundup: Flyers' Travis Konecny In The Rumor Mill, Penguins Willing To Trade A Veteran Forward

The Philadelphia Flyers' poor start has generated speculation about which players could become trade candidates if the club doesn’t reverse its fortunes.

Travis Konecny was the most notable Flyer to surface in the rumor mill. Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco cited sources claiming there was some frustration with the 28-year-old winger’s performance, so much so that he could be asked to waive his no-movement clause if things didn't improve. 

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the subject during last Thursday's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.

Friedman was skeptical that Flyers general manager Daniel Briere would go to that extreme. "I just think he’s trying to be smart and not walk himself into a bad move because of pressure," Friedman said.

William James of Philly Hockey Now shared Friedman's skepticism. He noted that Konecny is in the second season of an eight-year, $70-million contract, whose no-movement clause gives him full control. James also doubted that Briere would trade the player who has been the Flyers’ leading scorer for six of the last seven seasons.

As TSN's Pierre LeBrun observed last week, there is no easy fix or blockbuster trade that gets the Flyers out of this mess. Whatever changes occur will likely be internal.

Speaking of Pennsylvania-based NHL franchises, the retooling Pittsburgh Penguins could be ready to shake things up after going 1-6-1 in their last eight contests.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that the Penguins are willing to move a veteran forward in return for draft picks and prospects. They want to create room on their roster for their younger players to get more ice time.

Before going any further, no, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren't getting traded. Let's get that out of the way right now.

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now believes Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell are the likely trade candidates. Both have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill over the last two seasons.

Rust, 34, is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.125 million, and he doesn’t have a no-trade clause. The 33-year-old Rakell also has another season on his contract after this one and has a $5 million AAV. However, he carries an eight-team no-trade list.

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