NHL Trade Rumors: Flyers Linked to 3 Trade Candidates at "Glaring" Position of Need

7 hours ago  /  NHL Trade Rumors

With a new head coach incoming, and a desire to make some big moves this summer to expedite the rebuild, the Philadelphia Flyers could look very different next season. And that must start by boosting their strength up the middle. Currently, the roster consists of Noah Cates, Sean Couturier, Ryan Poehling, Anthony Richard and potentially Jakob Pelletier at the pivot. That leaves a serious shortage of offense at the position.Per William James of Philly Hockey Now, that "glaring issue" could start to be addressed if the Flyers look at these three center candidates via trade:Elias Pettersson, Vancouver CanucksThe 26-year-old had a dreadful season, on and off the ice, including a feud with (since departed) teammate JT Miller, a hugely disappointing 15 goals and 45 points, and finally, questions about his work ethic from management. But that doesn't mean he isn't worth taking a good run at, writes James. "One of the biggest causes for his lack of production was his inability to create offense off the rush. The Flyers certainly have players who thrive off the rush, which could help bring that production out from Pettersson."Will EP40 ever return to his 100-point production? It's a big unknown, and makes any trade for him a big risk, with sseven seasons to go on his $11.6 million cap hit.Matty Beniers, Seattle KrakenThe 22-year-old former Calder Trophy winner as Rookie of the Year, Beniers is a 200-foot player, and would be an offensive upgrade on what the Flyers have now up in the middle, with loads of promise for the future. He has never returned to his freshman production of 24 goals and 57 points, but the former 2nd overall pick in the NHL Draft (2021) still produced a 20-goal season this past year.So why would the Kraken even consider trading him? They might not, but let's face it, the Kraken have stumbled the past two seasons, and they need to shake things up. Trading their first-line center and one of their best young players might not be the best way to go about it, but stranger things have happened. Mason McTavish, Anaheim DucksJames admits that this might be the most realistic target of the three, as McTavish is a pending RFA. The 22-year-old was one of the bright spots in the Ducks' disappointing season, recording career highs with 22 goals, 30 assists and 52 points. And if the Ducks aren't interested in a trade, perhaps an offer sheet (or even the threat of one) might be in order. After his strong second half that included 26 points in his last 31 games, it will take a relatively big offer, and James notes that the Ducks will need to be cognizant of the huge outlay of money they'll need to come up with after next season, when Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov can all as RFAs after the 2025-26 campaign. Photo:     © Bob Frid-Imagn Images...

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