6 Flyers Who Could Be Moved Before the NHL Trade Deadline

Today’s the day. With the NHL’s trade deadline taking place today at 3:00 PM Eastern time, there have been a handful of small moves to kick off the trade season these last few days. With there being a lot of anticipation with the deadline approaching, there is a lot of anticipation regarding the Philadelphia Flyers and general manager Daniel Briere, where a handful of names have been brought up in talks around the National Hockey League.

While some concerns about dealing with a player have been going on for half a decade, new names have now sprung into the mix. With the Flyers at 28-22-11, falling to the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night in what could’ve been a 4-point swing in the Eastern Wild Card standings, here are six names to watch ahead of 3:00:

Rasmus Ristolainen (31), Defense

Arguably the biggest trade name after Scott Laughton for the past five years has been Flyers defenseman Ristolainen, who, since active and without injury, may finally be dealt. For the last few years, Ristolainen’s name has been at the top of the mix, but always resulting in him staying in a Flyers uniform, partially due to the timing of injury, where Ristolainen getting injured around trade season took him off the board in 2024 and almost this season.

With Ristolainen active and playing good hockey of late, rising his trade value, there is a lot of speculation around if the Flyers finally pull the trigger, where they send Ristolainen to, and what they get in return for him.

Ristolainen, who has never played in a playoff game, will be shipped to a contender if moved. A Western Conference team such as the Dallas Stars can be a very good fit in the sweepstakes for Ristolainen. A cup contender who is looking to add defense by the deadline makes this scenario look good, as the right-handed physical defenseman is perfect for the Stars organization. Dallas recently made a move for former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers. Something to monitor. Other teams, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, could snag Ristolainen to add to their third pair heading into the playoffs, or the Edmonton Oilers, who are looking to build defense to get the most out of Connor McDavid‘s window.

On the other hand, Ristolainen played Thursday night against the Mammoth, raising some eyebrows in his 800th career game. Many teams, when looking to deal off a player, scratch the player(s) for management purposes. With the Flyers potentially entering a late-season rush in hopes of staying in the playoff picture, Ristolainen’s playing could possibly mean the Flyers believe he can be a core piece to a run, delaying the trade talks perhaps into the summer.

Whether the Flyers trade or keep Ristolainen this trade deadline, his name will always enter trade talks, no matter what.

Bobby Brink (24), Right Wing

Another Flyer who has entered the trade talks is Flyers’ forward Brink, who has, in opposition to Ristolainen, only recently entered the trade discussion. The 24-year-old has 13 goals and assists on the year for 26 points total. Though having a good season last year and a decent one this year, the need around the league causes the rise in talks surrounding Brink.

With the Minnesota Wild already taking interest in the Minnesota native, Brink could fit right in with the program of the Wild, even as a 24-year-old. NHL Insider Elliot Friedman also mentioned on Wednesday’s NHL Now show the Lightning as a possible fit for him, as Tampa could be in the hunt for a cheap winger on their third or fourth line.

The Flyers, who have an overload of right wings, could not only try for a first-round pick for Brink, but could try for a second-line center, potentially. Although not in a situation to buy, a right wing for a center is definitely a possibility, and Brink sticks out among the wingers for the Flyers.

Nicolas Deslauriers (35), Left Wing

Ristolainen and Brink might be questionable regarding the trades, but Flyers’ fourth liner Deslauriers is someone you can guarantee to get dealt by the deadline. With Deslauriers not only not having a goal but also losing his touch in fights, he may be viewed as not much more than a disturbance in cap space. He does what he needs to in bringing the energy with his electric hits, but other than that, there is little reason the Flyers would carry on a 35-year-old fourth liner in a rebuild.

With the window for the Carolina Hurricanes closing, physicality is always missing come playoff time, which is what Deslauriers can fit into if the Canes were interested in buying. Though unlikely to be a first-round pick in return, the Canes would be able to experiment with an enforcer like Deslauriers, and the Flyers can clear up a little more room.

Carl Grundstrom (28), Wing

With how Grundstrom has looked at times, you wouldn’t guess that Briere dealt off Ryan Ellis‘ contract to the San Jose Sharks in return. The Flyers, essentially, replaced Ellis’ spot on the roster with an active player, which has worked out. Even though his eight goals have been important for the Flyers, the front office can look at what they can realistically get for Grundstrom.

Because of the market, there is a chance that Grundstrom warrants a second-round pick and a selection of picks in the later rounds as well. Even though you wouldn’t get a massive haul, dealing off Grunstrom can help out the rebuild by stocking picks.

With a player like Grundstrom, there are lots of buyers who can realistically make the move for him in exchange for draft picks.

Noah Juulsen (28), Defense

Another defenseman that can very well be on the move is first-year Flyer Juulsen. Though he is not a star player, per se, he can provide power from the point and physicality in the neutral zone, all as a right-handed shooter. So even though he is not elite on any level, he possesses the traits that are harder to find in today’s game.

Playoff teams can use a guy like Juulsen in their third pair. A handful of teams can make a serious push for him. The Flyers presumably couldn’t get a first-round pick for him, but they can get a decent selection of picks if they go for it.

Ultimately, Juulsen will probably stay on the Flyers after the deadline, regardless of his plans during free agency.

Owen Tippett (27), Right Wing

Lastly, there is a possibility of Tippett finding himself in the trade conversation today, as the Flyers can get a serious return that goes beyond a first-round pick. Tippett, who skates and dangles exceptionally, has 19 goals and 17 assists on the year for 36 points.

The Vancouver Canucks could be a possible destination, despite not being in a position to buy. The system of transition-style hockey is a fit for Tippett with his speed. The Canucks also look hard for top-six wingers, meaning that he could be a breakthrough in Vancouver. A little more East is the Calgary Flames, another great landing spot for Tippett. Even though Calgary is also in a selling position, Tippett could fit in on their power play and their five-on-five system, as the Flames struggle to find a goal scorer. The asking price, however, would be the largest out of all the names on this list. Not only would the Flyers want a high draft pick, but they would also go for a young prospect they can develop in time for the end of the rebuild.

With the Canucks and the Flames embracing the tank, a team looking to add on is the Detroit Red Wings, where Tippett can fit into the system. The Red Wings, with their leadership and veterans, could use a young, speedy goal scorer to build around a potential run with players such as Dylan Larkin, Patrick Kane, and Alex DeBrincat. Though Detroit may not be willing to pay the steep price, considering the Red Wings have a culture going for them right now.

Overall, with the demand for buyers at a high, the Flyers’ front office, with Briere and President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones, should take advantage of this selling opportunity, as the trade market would rarely project a first-round pick for many of these guys.

There is a chance that a few of these guys get traded, and there is a chance that none of them get traded, but the Flyers will most likely not make a huge trade for their future by the deadline.

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