Philadelphia Flyers NHL Trade Deadline Candidates: Nick Seeler
97.5 The Fanatic will examine Philadelphia Flyers who could potentially be on the move before the NHL Trade Deadline. Danny Briere described their organizational outlook in maintaining the strategy of the rebuild.
“We know where we are. We’re trying to get out of that rut where we make the playoffs one year (then) we miss (the next). You look at the standings. It’s very, very tight. We know we have a long ways to go, and we’re trying to build a team that’s going to be contenders for years to come, not just for one year… It’s a long season. It feels like it’s flashing by us, but the plan hasn’t changed.” -Danny Briere
"The plan hasn't changed."
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) December 10, 2023
In an interview with @JimJPhilly and @BrianBoucher33, Flyers general manager Danny Briere discussed a number of topics about his team's rebuild. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/Cs8rvxV6ms
The Flyers will not fit the traditional definition of sellers at the NHL Trade Deadline, however. Closer analysis is needed to determine which moves do and don’t make sense for the Flyers in 2023-24 and down the road.
- Sean Walker
- Cam Atkinson
- Rasmus Ristolainen
- Nick Seeler
- Morgan Frost
- Carter Hart
- Marc Staal
- Louie Belpedio
- Sam Ersson
Nick Seeler: 2024 NHL Trade Deadline Candidate
Nick Seeler signed with the Flyers before the 2021-22 season with an expectation of splitting time between the NHL and the AHL. He’s established himself as a lineup regular under John Tortorella the past two seasons.
The 30-year-old defenseman plays the type of physical game, especially in the defensive zone, that becomes more attractive to teams gearing up for a playoff run.
Tortorella has commented on Seeler’s ability to make the simple play as a reliable veteran blueliner. That stay-at-home reliability offsets a lack of offensive production. A cheap cap hit of $775K on an expiring contract provides an ideal fit for a third-pair defenseman on a contending team.
The Flyers acquired a 3rd-round pick for Justin Braun at age 35 before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. They could expect a similar return if they decide to trade Nick Seeler in 2024. However, the future of the blue line as a whole will impact Seeler’s future.
Elliotte Friedman reported that re-signing Seeler is a priority for the Flyers.
“They would like to start figuring out where they’re going long term here, but to me, the guy they really try to get done – and no insult to anyone else – but I think (it’s) Seeler.” -Elliotte Friedman
The addition of Jamie Drysdale gave the Flyers an eighth NHL defensemen looking for a lineup spot. They can look to move at least one of them, possibly two, before the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.
Sean Walker would bring a better return than Seeler, who has become a key part of the identity of a team in legitimate playoff contention in 2023-24. The Flyers could also potentially deal Marc Staal for a late-round pick. If Briere deals Walker for a 1st-round pick (in 2024 or a future year) and Staal for a late-rounder, the short-term presence of Seeler is more valuable than acquiring a 3rd-round pick to select whose odds to become a standout NHL player aren’t particularly high.
Stay/Go Verdict: Stay