As Denver Barkey heads back to the London Knights after spending the last couple of months watching the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp from the sidelines, he reflects on his recovery from illness and coming back a stronger player than before. The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/] have created plenty of discussion in the rumor mill. It is understandable, as they are in the middle of a rebuild and are likely to be sellers because of it. Players like Morgan Frost [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-top-trade-candidate-linked-to-3-teams], Rasmus Ristolainen, and Joel Farabee [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-forward-named-potential-trade-target-for-rangers] are a few Flyers who have had trade speculation surrounding them. However, another Flyer who has the potential to draw interest when we get closer to the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is Erik Johnson. Johnson, 36, has plenty of playoff experience and notably won the Stanley Cup back in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche. Thus, contenders looking for more defensive depth on their right side could certainly express interest in the Bloomington, Minnesota native. Erik Johnson [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwNjM3NzA0NDgyNzkzNDQ5/usatsi_24655122.jpg] Erik Johnson Johnson also has an easily affordable $1 million contract, which naturally adds to his appeal. Furthermore, while his days as a top-four defenseman are over, he still could be a nice addition to a team's bottom pairing or work in the seventh-defender role if acquired. It will be interesting to see what happens with Johnson once we get closer to the deadline. In 15 games this season, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has one goal, one assist, 23 hits, and a minus-2 rating.
