Kings and Hawks face off in trade battle for a deal with the Flyers

Trade market is getting so intense! Fight! Fight! Fight!

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Published 5 years ago
Kings and Hawks face off in trade battle for a deal with the Flyers
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The Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks are down the same path this season, which means both clubs will have similar solutions when it comes to fixing their problems. 

One team that has been interested in listening to what they have to offer to get what they desperately need is the Philadelphia Flyers. New GM Chuck Fletcher, who took over just a little over a week ago and is already working on a few trades… According to Pierre LeBrun, Fletcher has already talked to half the teams in the league as he’s trying to gauge the trade market and what he can get done. There are a few things on the wish list, starting with an upgrade in between the pipes. 

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman believes the Kings and Hawks could be willing to make a trade with the Flyers by offering them what they want most. In his latest 31 Thoughts column on Sportsnet, Friedman wonders if the Kings and Blackhawks could be entering a trade battle to seduce the Flyers. 

"The Flyers have made it clear they are looking for a goalie, but aren’t the first team to survey the market and not be thrilled with the options. Anaheim, looking to replace the injured  Ryan Miller , claimed Chad Johnson on waivers and traded for Jeff Glass from AHL Toronto. Detroit’s made it clear it wants at least a first-round pick for Jimmy Howard. Craig Anderson’s carried a huge load for Ottawa, facing a ton of rubber without much rest. At least one team indicated it was concerned about acquiring him for that reason. Not convinced Montreal is willing to move Charlie Lindgren. As both Chicago and Los Angeles look to the future, and Cal Petersen (in particular) shows potential, could they be tempted to discuss  Corey Crawford and Jonathan Quick?"

There are of course the rumours that Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford might be willing to listen to offers on starting goalie Matt Murray, who just returned from injury. However, it is doubtful the Flyers would want to make a team with their long-time rivals. 

While Quick and Crawford are dealing with a lot of negative in their respective teams' situations, they could end up benefiting from a change of scenery. 

"Both have had injury questions, but both would be improvements for a lot of teams. Quick has four more years, but his salary takes a big drop after $7 million this year and next. Crawford has one more season, at a $6-million AAV and $5 million cash. There would certainly be interest. The Blackhawks and Kings would be very loyal to those two, not putting either in a situation they didn’t want."

Source: Sportsnet