Did the Flyers get enough in the Wayne Simmonds trade to consider it a good move?

Was it enough?

The Philadelphia Flyers finally pulled the trigger. Wayne Simmonds was traded in the final 3 minutes of the NHL trade deadline. While most fans are underwhelmed, it is easy to get caught up in the emotion of losing a beloved player. There is always a high cost to losing and I would say forcing a GM to trade a UFA asset, like Simmonds, early is an example of that. Taking a step back and looking at the what was received for Simmonds the Flyers actually choose to take Hartman over other pick packages and/or younger players still in their teens. Flyers GM, Chuck Fletcher opted for the under the radar selection of Ryan Hartman.

Something that’s important to note is that typically a true contender, like the Nashville Predators would most likely keep their starting 20 NHL roster players and only trade draft picks and non-NHL players. However, judging from Chuck Fletcher’s post-trade deadline press conference, it seems that Fletcher held out for an NHL ready forward. The Flyers opted for the 23-year-old, former 30th overall pick Ryan Hartman.

Hartman had an excellent, first season with the Chicago Blackhawks that had most hockey analyst believing that he would be part of a Stanley Cup solution. However, after an average sophomore season, which is typical for most young NHL forwards, Hartman saw a small dip in his play throughout the year. Blackhawks’ GM, Stan Bowman is always looking to make a trade, so when the opportunity to get another 1st round pick presented itself, Hartman was shipped out to Nashville. The move could be an indication that Nashville expected Hartman to add immediate scoring depth.

A year later Hartman has had a good season in Nashville, but seems to play only a 4th line role on a high powered team that likes to roll 4 lines. With 10 goals and 10 assists and a +7 rating it is clear to see that Hartman is ready for more opportunity. Can Hartman get back to making a larger impact when given more ice time? The Flyers have a solid group of offensive players, but lack scoring on the 3rd line. Hartman has show the ability to finish at the NHL level. Even if Hartman does not increase his production, that would still make him a 3rd line player on this current roster, while also bringing a tenacious two-way game in all situations. Hartman has a lot of the same skill sets as other very good checkers, only he has shown flashes of dynamic ability and a lethal shot. Like most young players, Hartman has not been consistent enough to steal spots on more complete squads, but on the Flyers there is now opportunity.

There is more to be excited about than people ultimately want to believe, but if he was a player that was developed internally by the Flyers and had a 19 goal season his rookie year, we would be screaming at coaches to play him more often. Hartman also has two world junior championship goal medals on his resume, probably a good indication of why he went 30th overall in 2013. Let’s see if he can live up to that in Philadelphia.

As of today, the Flyers now have 4 players from the 2013 draft in their NHL lineup. Samuel Morin, Robert Hagg, Ryan Hartman, Justin Bailey. It could just be coincidence, but it’s interesting that last two additions for Fletcher were from the 2013 draft. As for the draft pick the Flyers received an additional 4th round pick, with a condition for the pick to elevate to a 3rd round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. It’s quite likely the draft pick does turn to a 3rd round pick as Nashville just added Wayne Simmonds, Mikael Granlund, and Brian Boyle to an already stellar lineup.

Overall Ryan Hartman carries the value of a 1st round pick, with added value of being developed by two the organizations. The 3rd round pick is an okay return and I bet this is where Fletcher was waiting till the last second. He wanted an additional 2nd round pick which would’ve made a nice insurance prize if Hartman did not pan out. A conditional 3rd is a more risky pick and is less likely to make the NHL. However, that pick could be used as leverage in future picks as the Flyers still have a bevy of picks and one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL.

I believe the return was just under what was expected for a UFA rental middle six forward like Wayne Simmonds, even with all of his intangibles. The Flyers did not win this trade, but they also did not lose the trade. It is closer to a hockey deal than people realize. The Flyers took away a good value for a player they would likely see walk away in the summer for nothing. It’s not the way most of Flyers fans envisioned Wayne Simmonds ending his tenure in Philadelphia, but it was still a beautiful seasons.