Failed trade in Philadelphia exposed as it would have changed the whole NHL landscape!

The Philadelphia Flyers could have looked very different… but the trade fell through. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Flyers attempted to trade James van Riemsdyk this summer, in the hopes of dumping his full $7 million cap hit for this season.

This was the plan to make room for none other than free agent forward Johnny Gaudreau, who ended up signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets after informing the Calgary Flames he would not return. 

The plan is believed to have tried to move JVR to either the Montreal Canadiens, Arizona Coyotes or Anaheim Ducks. But Philadelphia didn’t want to give more in a transaction. It is believed that the asking price also included their 2023 first-round pick and the Flyers weren’t willing to give that up.

The failed trade emerged as Friedman’s colleague Jeff Marek pointed out that van Riemsdyk was part on the market. Now however, the Flyers are said to be willing to retain salary to facilitate a deal.

The Flyers have struggled since the season got underway, and fans can only imagine if Gaudreau would have been offered a deal to come to Philly, close to home and as the leader up front. The story is quite different…

The trade approach now for JVR is also very different seeing that they won’t be expected to bundle him with a first-round pick.

After all, if the Flyers’ season gets tanking, they might be the one with the best odds to win the draft lottery and ultimately the Connor Bedard sweepstakes…

Recommended articles:

• Devastating update on Sean Couturier and James van Riemsdyk.
• Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk out long-term following surgery
• JVR roasts former teammate Phil Kessel when asked about his Ironman streak.
• Major trade failed to materialize between Flyers and Habs at the deadline
• Rumor: 3 Flyers who could end up traded before the end of the season.