2020 Flyers Trade Wish List

Ok guys it’s time for the first ever “Jim’s 2020 Flyers Trade Wish List”.

In the list of players below you’ll find a theme. They all know how to score goals.

In the 16 games the Flyers played in the bubble they had a helluva time scoring as they went on to score just 38 times in 16 games as the Flyers sunk to 16 among the 24 bubble teams in GF/PG with 2.38 GF%, ranking them amongst the likes of the Montreal Canadians and Columbus Blue Jackets. Bleh.

1. Brock Boeser

I want this guy, I need this guy. Brock Boeser is the real deal and I believe he’s the missing piece the Flyers currently lack on the roster. He’s a big bodied winger who can score not only at even strength but on the PP. If you recall, the Flyers had a helluva time doing that power-play thing in the playoffs.

Maybe you’re already laughing because how would the Flyers even get this kid without giving up significant value? Or why would Vancouver ever move him if he’s THAT good, Jim?

First let me just say that I won’t be including any trade proposals in the article, I’ll leave it up to you guys to figure out in the comments sections of whatever platform you found this on. Second, Vancouver was said to be exploring the possibility of moving Boeser during the COVID-19 stoppage, so this is not me picking a random name out of a hat.

Matt Sekeres: I'm told the Canucks are exploring the possibility of trading Brock Boeser.#TSN1040

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) July 10, 2020

At 6’1 and 200lbs, Boeser has good size and a bomb of a shot, something the Flyers could use on the wing along newly anointed Selke King and first line center, Sean Couturier. Like current Flyers winger Travis Konecny, Boeser excels 5v5. Unlike TK though, at least up to this point in his career, Boeser can contribute on the PP, having racked up 23 of his 75 goals with the man advantage.

With 2 more season left on his current deal worth $5,875,000 a season, Boeser would appear to be the Canucks best trade chip and a player for player deal could work if the player going to Vancouver has more term at the same cost or has a shorter contract worth less money. Examples could be Travis Konecny who is making $5,500,000 for 5 more years or defenseman Travis Sanheim, who is due for a raise after the upcoming 2020-2021 season. Vancouver is said to be looking for a top 4, potential top pairing defenseman in return so potentially a fit there, but that’s just me speculating.

2.  Josh Anderson

The second player is a mammoth of a RW who plays tough in the greasy areas. An area you may have noticed Flyer forwards seemed to go missing in during the playoffs this season. At 6’3 222 lbs, Josh Anderson isn’t just a big body, he can score the puck too, as he’s gone on to record 63 goals in 223 games before this past injury riddled season.

Goal scoring aside, Anderson brings the boom in a different way as he’s not afraid to play the body, having racked up 470 hits during those 223 games and his defensive game is nothing to sneeze at as he compiled 46 takeaways in the 2018-19 season to just 19 giveaways.

Now you may be wondering why I haven’t mentioned much about his 2019-20 season and well that’s because Anderson missed most of it to injury. Anderson played in just 26 games this season because of a serious shoulder injury in which he required reconstructive surgery. Yes doctors had to reconstruct his shoulder. Scared off? Yeah maybe. But he’s a RFA and could potentially be signed to a cheap “prove it” contract if Chuck Fletcher decides to send something small to acquire his rights.

JUST IN: #BlueJackets announce that F Josh Anderson had left shoulder surgery on Monday to repair a torn labrum and will recover in 4-to-6 months. He was hurt on Dec. 14 against #Senators. #NHL MORE: https://t.co/iChSV03x0A pic.twitter.com/zUYdVxQzY6

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 3, 2020

I think the Flyers severely lack a player like Josh Anderson and for me he would be a welcomed addition.

3. Kyle Palmieri

This pick might have you raising eyebrow, or…it might not. Let me start out with getting this out of the way before you all lose your minds. I know Palmieri has a Modified – NMC (no-movement-clause). According to CapFriendly it’s only an 8 team list so maybe the Flyers aren’t on the 8 team list.

If they aren’t, then I feel he’s a player the Flyers could desperately use. At 29 he brings experience and leadership as he’s been an assistant captain in New Jersey, something that may also be lacking on this current team, but that’s just my opinion. Palmieri is a right handed finisher and could play on the Flyers 1st or 2nd PP unit as he’s recorded 11 PP goals in 4 out of his last 5 seasons and finished with at least 24 goals each of the last 5 years.

NHL rumors: Devils trading Taylor Hall or Kyle Palmieri to Bruins? https://t.co/eD010rwaT7 pic.twitter.com/Ep1Vx7opwB

— NJ.com Sports (@NJ_Sports) December 13, 2019

Palmieri is signed for one more season in New Jersey and was a sought after name during this season’s trade-deadline. Chuck Fletcher has been proactive to this point and I’m hoping he takes the same proactive approach heading into this off-season.

Follow me on Twitter @JimIkeHW

Photo Credit to: Daryl Dyck/GP