3 Oilers' Assets to Tempt the Flyers to Trade Konecny
The Oilers could trade Kailer Yamamoto, the 2024 1st round pick and/or a young defender to the Flyers for Travis Konecny.
It's no secret that the Edmonton Oilers are looking to upgrade their right wing forward position before the start of the 2023-24 season. One name that has popped up is Philadelphia Flyers forward Travis Konecny. Konecny broke out this season with 31 goals and 30 assists to tie how career high in points from 2019-20.
An exchange of this nature would require at least one of; a good roster player with offensive potential, a first round pick and a really good prospect. In reality it may take all three assets to convince the Flyers to send out Konecny. Here are the three assets that make the most sense to send to the Flyers.
Kailer Yamamoto
The most obvious casualty in this potential deal is Kailer Yamamoto. He hasn't lived up to his full potential yet, and that should be appealing to the Flyers. He's 24 years old and has played 244 regular season games. He's collected 117 points, which is good for a 0.48 points per game pace (p/gp). The change of scenery could be good for Yamamoto. It was for Owen Tippett, who was traded to the Flyers at the 2021-22 trade deadline. He had a break out year this year with the Flyers gathering 49 points in 77 games played.
1st Round 2024 Draft Pick
The Oilers traded their 2023 1st round draft pick to the Nashville Predators in the trade that sent defenceman Tyson Barrie out and brought Mattias Ekholm in. The still have their 2024 1st round pick to use in trade negotiations. If they Flyers are going to rebuild (or even retool) they could keep the pick and draft a player with it, or flip it for a younger player (if they opt for a retool).
Vincent Desharnais or Markus Niemelainen
Vincent Desharnais and Markus Niemelainen are both big, young physical defencemen. Desharnais is 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds while Niemelainen is 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds. Every team wants these type of players. The Oilers would love to retain them, but they also bring value to trade packages. They can both skate well enough for players of their size, despite Desharnais' lack of foot speed leading to a few goals scored against him during the playoffs.
Of course the other young defender who could find themselves on their way out is Philip Broberg. This is only because of the value that Broberg has as a first round draft pick with loads of potential to live up to. He's a great skater who is a good two-way player. If I'm the Oilers, I offer up Desharnais or Niemelainen first and only bring up Broberg if negotiations are souring.
It may take a package of Yamamoto, Desharnais/Niemelainen and the 2024 1st round pick to convince the Flyers to deal Konecny. Time will tell if anything transpires between the clubs at all.