Flyers planning a major trade?!

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall is not known to be exuberant around the trade deadline, but many insiders believe the time is now for the Flyers to get going and make moves ahead of Feb. 26. 

On Saturday Insiders special on Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman noted that the Buffalo Sabres and Flyers have been scouting each other of late, saying people are starting to wonder if there could be a match between both teams. 

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Boruk recently wrote that the Flyers could use a forward, preferably a center, and investigate on which team could be a good match to fill the scoring void in Philly. 

“I guess filling a hole and upgrading might be a little different,” Hextall said to Boruk. “I’m not going to say ‘no’ because we’re going to try and get better if we can get better.”

The Sabres don’t really have a lot of available center options unless they’re parting with Jordan Nolan, Johan Larsson or Jacob Josefson, and the main trade bait in Buffalo, Evander Kane, is expected to be too pricey for Hextall. 

“Whether something is out there, I don’t know," Hextall added. "I feel like we have kids who can fill in if we have injuries or erratic play. Unless it was a nice upgrade at a reasonable price, I’m not going to trade a good young player at this point.”

Ottawa Senators forwards Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Derick Brassard, and Minnesota Wild Charlie Coyle, are expected to be available on the market and Hextall could find a fit there.

Though, he did not appear too convinced during his interview with NBC Sports. 

“If you look at the history of it, it’s not very good," Hextall said. "Name me a player, the big player the team got at the deadline and was a huge factor in them winning. It doesn’t happen very often. I don’t feel like we have to do that. Our big guys are our big guys and are playing well. Our kids are getting better.”

Is Hextall keeping quiet about a major move? Are the Flyers planning something or trusting young players to get better and boost their team?