The Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers are both teams with relatively solid holds on their positions in their respective divisions. Could these two teams come to common grounds and make a trade to improve both their respective chances?
The Philadelphia Flyers are currently sitting third in the Metropolitan Division with a 5-point cushion over the highest team outside the playoffs. So it looks like the Philadelphia Flyers will be potential buyers come the trade deadline.
Philadelphia Flyers Gm Ron Hextall has stated:
"“I can’t say I’ll go with the 23 guys on the roster right now, I’ll repeat what I always say — if I can make our team better at any position, we’ll look at it. The deadline is two weeks away. I guess things could change between now and then.”"
What do the Flyers Need to take Off?
Currently the biggest hole in the Philadelphia Flyers is at goal tending. Their number one goalie, Brian Elliot is out for 5 to 6 weeks. In the interim the tandem of Michal Neuvirth and Alex Lyon has been less than stellar. So the Philadelphia Flyers biggest need might be a goal tender.
Outside of a goalie, the Philadelphia Flyers as a team have decent numbers sitting 13th and 14th in goals for and goals against respectively. Their biggest weakness is their penalty kill, which is currently 28th in the league at 75%. Perhaps the Philadelphia Flyers will look for some players which could help them with the penalty kill.
What do the Winnipeg Jets Have to Offer?
Well as it happens the Winnipeg Jets have several goalies who…wait, both Steve Mason and Michael Hutchinson are both out with concussions with undetermined return times.
If, by some miracle, Hutchinson were to recover in time the Philadelphia Flyers could take a risk with him. The risk would be high for the Flyers, but Huchinson’s numbers in the AHL have been impressive and he does have NHL experience. Also, the fact his term is up may actually be a selling point. The return for Hutchinson would likely be draft picks in somewhere in the 2nd to 4th round. However, any trade involving Hutchinson would ultimately be decided by his health.
An interesting option would be Shawn Matthias…except he is injured with no timeline for return. Matthias has been touted for his penalty killing abilities. If, by some miracle he were to become healthy this trade could make sense. The Winnipeg Jets don’t need Matthias anymore, he has been passed by the Moose call-ups. The Winnipeg Jets would be trading from a weak point, but if they eat some salary they might swing a 6th to 7th round pick.
Next: 3 Crazy Stats From The Jets This Season
Prognosis
If, by some miracle Hutchinson and/or Mathias were to suddenly become healthy a trade with Philadelphia might actually make sense. However, the chances of this occurring is slim to none. Any trade might net the Winnipeg Jets some late round draft picks at best.