Blockbuster trade scenario emerges in Philadelphia!

It started out earlier in the offseason when Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere traded defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets via the Los Angeles Kings. He then shipped Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues, bought out defenseman Tony DeAngelo and added Garnet Hathaway, Sean Walker, Cal Petersen and Ryan Poehling to his roster.

There was also ongoing talks that the Flyers stated that they’d be willing to listen to offers on a trade for goalie Carter Hart, while speculations emerged on forward Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton. The rumour mill keeps spinning with everyone wondering which players Briere might move next.

And Sportsnet’s Ryan Dixon wonders if Sean Couturier could be next. He asks about the star forward’s future in Philadelphia, especially since a back injury sidelined Couturier since Dec. 18, 2021.

Though Couturier is expected to attend training camp next month, Dixon wondered if the Flyers would attempt to trade him if he proves to be healthy. However, he is quite aware that Couturier’s contract, which carries an average annual value of $7.75 million through 2029-30, would be a significant obstacle.

“The real question for Philly and Couturier — assuming he’s fully healthy — is, what now? The Flyers are in the infant stages of a rebuild, just as Couturier is coming into the second year of an eight-year extension he inked in 2021. The 30-year-old — who won the 2020 Selke Trophy — was one of the best two-way centres in hockey before his injury troubles. If he re-establishes himself as the player he once was — or even something close to it — is there a chance the rebuilding Flyers move him, or would the heft of his contract make that an impossibility?”

Couturier has been in Philadelphia since he was selected eighth overall by the Flyers in the 2011 NHL Draft. He would be quite a shocking trade to see him shipped out of Philly.

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Blockbuster trade scenario emerges in Philadelphia!

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