Flyers, Leafs could be potential trade partners again

Photo Courtesy of AP/Yahoo Sports

The Flyers director of player development Don Luce was spotted at the Air Canada Center in Toronto for Tuesday night’s game between the Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres, according to Philadelphia Daily News Frank Seravalli.

It was the third time in as many weeks Luce was seen in Toronto, taking in a Leafs game. It could be a coincidence or it could be a scouting assignment from the Flyers, but given the two team’s history, it’s fair for Seravalli to speculate that it was an assignment.

As Seravalli points out, the Flyers and Leafs have a history with each other. Last year, the Flyers traded away their first and third round draft picks to acquire forward Kris Versteeg from Toronto.

Also, Philadelphia’s general manager Paul Holmgren and Toronto’s GM Brian Burke have a working relationship that goes all the way back to Burke’s first GM job in Hartford. Holmgren was hired as Burke’s first head coach for the 1992-93 season.

Holmgren and Burke were both on the U.S. Olympic hockey management team for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver.

With any working relationship like the friendship Holmgren and Burke share, it’s common for the two to work together and help each other out when they is an opportunity to do so.

That was the case last year and it could be the case again this year.

The Flyers defense has been hammered with injuries. They lost captain Chris Pronger for remainder of the season, and in all likelihood, he’ll never suit up for the Flyers or any other team again.

Holmgren is seeking defensive help, but told CSNPhilly.com that he “wouldn’t do anything stupid.” Because of him coming out and saying that, it’s also fair to say that the Flyers will likely not be in play for Nashville’s Shea Weber or Ryan Suter at the deadline—but if one, or both, reach free agency in July, it’s safe to say they’ll be major players for them.

Seravalli suggests Toronto may have a couple viable options for the Flyers, and throws out the names of Luke Schenn, brother of Flyers center Brayden Schenn, and Cody Franson.

Schenn, 22, might be available at the right price. As Seravalli points out, his ice time has decreased from last season. He went from playing over 22 minutes a night last year to just over 16 minutes this season

Because of that, some teams might be weary of his $3.6 cap hit; however, there is a bright side. Schenn is in the first season of a five-year, $18 million contract. Therefore, he wouldn’t be a rental.

Another upside of Schenn is that he would give the Flyers an adequate No. 4 defenseman in an already stable core, and a viable option to replace Matt Carle should he depart via free agency.

Carle is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and he’ll be due for a sizable raise from his $3.8 million salary. If you look at the Braydon Coburn contract extension, it’s a good starting point for what Carle is going to ask.

All signs are pointing towards the Flyers wanting to retain Carle, but if he decides to test the open market, he might find a deal more attractive than the one Philadelphia could offer.

On the other hand, Franson would be a much more affordable option in terms of salary cap. The 24-year-old right-handed shot makes only $800,000, and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

Franson doesn’t bring the upside that Schenn brings. He’s a serviceable NHL player right now, and would help give the Flyers some depth on the blue line. He would be an upgrade over Andreas Lilja on the blue line.

Unlike last season, Toronto is in position to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2004 season where the Flyers knocked them out in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Leafs are sixth in the Eastern Conference, and have a team capable of competing in the playoffs.

But that doesn’t mean that Toronto isn’t willing to make any deals. Burke has always been active in the weeks leading up to the deadline, and this year should be no different.

It’s hard to see Burke parting with Schenn because of his name, and the amount of upside, but if it makes the 2011-12 Toronto Maple Leafs better, Burke will do that.

All this depends on how Burke sees this year’s team. Does he see them as a Stanley Cup contender, or does he see them as a team that needs another year or two to be considered serious contenders?

If Toronto decides to be a buyer, Schenn and Franson are likely not going to be moved unless it nets the Leafs a big-time player. If they decide that they need another piece or two, Schenn and/or Franson could be available.

For the Flyers, it all depends on what Holmgren decides how much to give up to acquire the defensive help this team needs. Is he willing to mess with the chemistry for a move, which on paper makes sense?

Or does he decide to let this team continue to grow.

That’s something to keep watch over the next few weeks. Another thing to keep our eyes open for is another trade between the Leafs and the Flyers.