The Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of an NHL mandatory week off. It was an unfortunate time for this bye week to take place as they said, “Bye, Bye, Bye,” to the ice. The orange and black won the last three games heading into the bye. When they return to the ice, they will face a tough divisional rival in the New Jersey Devils.
One of the major keys to success in the early second half of the season is beating their divisional opponents. Four out of their first six games to open the second half of the season are against divisional opponents. Moreover, the Flyers control their own playoff destiny in the early going of the second half sort of speak. Without further delay here our answers to your questions.
I don’t see the #Flyers being Byers by the trade deadline. Who do you think they sell? Let’s face it, there’s a lot of players that don’t really need to be here that a lot of us would love to see go. #Flyersmail
— Kerry (@MusicIsLife_74) January 11, 2018
Kerry I hear the passion in your voice. Your a longtime dedicated Flyers fan. The Flyers will be looking to sell at least two defensive pieces. That being Brandon Manning and Radko Gudas. Manning is an ideal rental for a playoff contender, as his cap hit is only $975,000. Moreover, Manning is in the last year of his contract. Performance wise he hasn’t been bad as of late. He appears to be a bottom six defenseman.
Gudas seems to be an attractive piece, as well. He has a heck of a slap shot, but sometimes Gudas has trouble hitting the net. However, he does provide stability as a middle six defenseman to a bottom pair defenseman. Gudas would provide stability to a team that is in need of a veteran defenseman. He is signed through the 2019-20 season with an annual cap hit of $3.35 million.
Jori Lehtera appears to be the only forward on the trading block. If a team wanted him that badly, then Ron Hextall would send him away in a heartbeat. Other than Lehtera there has been no indication that any other forward will be on the market when the trade deadline rolls around on February 26. However, how much longer can Taylor Leier sit in the press box? The Flyers can’t send him down to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms without him clearing waivers first, and it’s highly doubtful he would clear waivers. Where I’m getting at, is he would be the other forward possibly on the market if Lehtera can’t be moved.
My question for you is “Should the Flyers still look at goaltending this trade deadline”?
— Pearlo Wisdom (@pearlosnhlpow) January 11, 2018
Steve “The Swami,” you’re the best at picking teams to win the in the entire NHL. The Flyers for once are in no immediate need of searching for goaltending at the trade deadline on February 26. However, to answer your question Yes and No. Brian Elliott has been masterful this year, and Michal Neuvirth when healthy is shouldering the load. Neuvirth is 3-5-1 with a 2.48 GAA, and a .913 Save Percentage. He made 28 saves in his one start following his injury, against the lowly Buffalo Sabres right before the bye week. He was a key factor in preserving the Flyers 4-1 victory.
If the Flyers looked at goaltending at the deadline, then the orange and black would have traded Neuvirth as a possible back-up for a contender. In the event this happens the Flyers would lean to the farm, and Alex Lyon would then serve as Elliott’s back-up for the remainder of the season.
If you would like to see your questions submitted in our weekly mailbag. Just submit your question on our facebook page or on Twitter using the #Flyersmail. Thanks to all the fans for another great mailbag.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
