Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere is likely not done trading veterans as the team begins to rebuild. Whether it happens this season or next summer, who's speculated to be next?
Sean CouturierSince taking over as Philadelphia Flyers GM in March, Daniel Briere wasted little time putting his stamp on the team. He's shipped out Kevin Hayes and Ivan Provorov, bought out Tony DeAngelo and added Garnet Hathaway, Sean Walker, Cal Petersen and Ryan Poehling.
As Briere rebuilds the roster, those might not be the only moves he has in store during the upcoming season. In May, for example, he admitted his willingness to entertain offers for Carter Hart, though he's yet to receive anything tempting enough to move the 25-year-old goaltender.
Sportsnet's Ryan Dixon wondered about Sean Couturier's future in Philadelphia. A back injury sidelined the long-time Flyers center since Dec. 18, 2021.
Winner of the Selke Trophy in 2020, the 30-year-old Couturier is expected to be in training camp next month. If he returns to form, Dixon wondered if the Flyers would attempt to trade him, though his hefty contract would be a significant obstacle.
Couturier carries an average annual value of $7.75 million through 2029-30. If that wasn't a big enough obstacle, his no-movement clause gives him complete control of his future. Any clubs that might be interested, or those he would agree to be traded to, will likely evaluate his performance throughout the entire season and look at acquiring him next summer when they have more cap space.
Meanwhile, Philly Hockey Now's Chuck Bausman observed that Travis Konecny frequently surfaced in trade rumors this summer. He cited the website Clutch Points, suggesting the 26-year-old winger would be a solid fit with the aging Washington Capitals.
With Konecny signed through 2024-25 with an AAV of $5.5 million, Briere is in no hurry to move him this season, but that could change next summer if the winger proves reluctant to sign a contract extension.