The Philadelphia Flyers are just trying to stay afloat in the playoff race. With the Flyers out of a playoff seed by 7 points, and the team sitting with a record of 29-26-7. Chuck Fletcher knew a move had to be made beyond the scope of this season.
With the Flyers trailing the last wild card spot by 7 points and 8 points away from the third spot in the Division. One would believe that the orange and black would have a fire sale. Well, after trading Wayne Simmonds to Nashville for Ryan Hartman, and a fourth-round pick this might just be the trade that lights the way for Fletcher.
Simmonds became very attractive to a contender that needed a Veteran presence, and a guy that would rub the locker room the right way. This warrior in Simmonds gave his all on a nightly basis. Does he have some bad games? Sure he does, but he was a beast when he needed to be. He leaves behind his best friends in Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. As media enters the Stadium after passing through security, Simmonds, Voracek, and Giroux were more often than not playing Basketball together in the tunnel area.
For years (8 to be exact), he gave his all to this organization. He commanded respect from everyone on and off the ice. Simmonds has shown everyone including the great fans of Philadelphia that he wears his heart on his sleeve. He will always be a Flyer as he has potted 203 goals, tallied 175 assists, and potted 91 Power Play goals for his career with the orange and black.
Hartman hails from Hilton Head, SC, and was selected in the 2013 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He eventually made his way to the Predators, and this young 24-year-old hits the net with accuracy. For the season, Hartman has tallied 10 goals, and 10 assists in 64 games played with the big club this season. This young man can skate and that’s what the Flyers need.
The Flyers are trying to the right the ship towards a level of consistency with only 20 games remaining in the regular season. They don a new era of Flyers hockey, and there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. One thing is certain Flyers fans, the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
