Going over the Flyers’ 2022 Trade Deadline Again
In the summer before the 2021-22 NHL season, the Philadelphia Flyers made significant moves to return to contender status after missing the playoffs in the previous season. However, injuries and roster construction issues led them to be one of the worst teams in the league. As a result, they decided to sell at the trade deadline in March 2022. Looking back, these moves are proving to be a massive win for the Flyers.
One of the key trades involved sending long-time Flyer Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers. Giroux, a pending unrestricted free agent at the time, was traded along with Connor Bunnaman, German Rubtsov, and a 2024 fifth-round pick. In return, the Flyers acquired forward Owen Tippett. Despite not being very valuable for the Panthers initially, Tippett has become one of the Flyers’ better offensive players, showcasing the potential to be a yearly 30-goal scorer. The Flyers signed him to an eight-year deal worth $6.2 million annually.
The trade also included a third-round pick in 2023, and the Flyers selected center Denver Barkey with that pick. Barkey has been excelling in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), ranking third in the league in points. This adds to the Flyers’ future potential, with Barkey possibly becoming a premier playmaker for the team.
Additionally, the Flyers will receive Florida’s first-round pick this season, providing them with options to trade up or make a late first-round selection.
Another significant trade involved Justin Braun, a 35-year-old third-pairing defender, being traded to the New York Rangers for a 2023 third-round pick. With this pick, the Flyers selected goaltender Yegor Zavragin in the 2023 draft. Zavragin has been performing exceptionally well in Russia’s second-best hockey league (VHL), showcasing the potential to become a top-tier goaltender in the NHL.
The Flyers also traded Derick Brassard for a 2023 fourth-round draft pick. Brassard had a solid season for the Flyers, contributing six goals and 10 assists in 31 games. The draft pick resulted in the selection of forward Alex Ciernik, who has the potential to be a middle-six staple for the Flyers.
In summary, the Flyers’ moves at the trade deadline, including the Giroux trade, have set them up for a promising future. The acquisitions of Tippett, Barkey, Zavragin, and Ciernik, along with additional draft picks, position the Flyers well as they continue their rebuild.
