Flyers Defenseman Could Be On His Way Out
The Flyers still have plenty of business to do before the trade deadline.
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports - Flyers Defenseman Could Be On His Way OutEver since saying that the Flyers were "focusing on the future" in his mid-season check-in press conference, Danny Briere has wasted no time getting the ball rolling on doing business before the trade deadline.
Young forward Owen Tippett signed a contract extension this past week, securing his long-term future in Philadelphia an an eight-year, $49.2 million deal. Ryan Poehling followed suit shortly after, signing a two-year extension.
But what about players that might be on their way out?
A name that Flyers fans aren't expecting to make it to the end of this season in orange and black is veteran defenseman Sean Walker. Walker came to Philadelphia from the Los Angeles Kings in a three-way trade that also included the Columbus Blue Jackets, and, by all accounts, has been playing well since arriving to the team. In 48 games as a Flyer, he's matched his career-high five goals, along with recording 12 assists.
However, on Jan. 23, NHL insider Frank Seravalli said on The Kevin Karius Show that the Flyers did indeed plan on selling, and that they would be "selling off pieces, starting off with Sean Walker."
Briere has specifically named Walker, along with fellow veteran defenseman Nick Seeler, as being part of the more experienced group of players that's contributed to the Flyers' relatively unexpected success this season, saying, "[Seeler] is an important piece, he played great. He's well-loved by his teammates. Part of the reason we are having success. I should have named him, Sean Walker."
The deal Flyers fans seem to like most for Walker is trading him to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a first round draft pick and a prospect.
The drawback would be that the Lightning aren't exactly loaded with picks, nor do they have a plethora of prospects the Flyers would be interested in, considering their own stacked pool of prospects and young players.
With just over a month until the March 8 trade deadline and a desire to get the Flyers back on track with a team that can carry them to the "sustained success" Briere spoke about in his mid-season press, conference, Flyers fans can be certain that they'll be in for quite a busy couple of weeks.
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