A DFO Insider note says the Flyers asked Chicago about Oliver Moore, a new wrinkle in the Matvei Michkov saga.
It lands with the Flyers in Edmonton tonight and the noise around their young winger still growing.
The DFO Insider's notes on the Blackhawks, passed along by NHLTradeAlert, say Chicago has been exploring the trade market for a couple of weeks. The target is wingers between 23 and 27 years old, and the Blackhawks have multiple picks to move.
The same insider says teams are interested in Moore, and that Philadelphia asked about him. Ryan Donato's name is also out there, and teams are calling about Frank Nazar, although David Pagnotta doesn't see Nazar getting moved.
Moore is a 21-year-old center Chicago took 19th overall in 2023. Michkov went seventh overall in that same draft, so Briere would be looking at a player from his own star's class.
Nothing here says a deal is close. An inquiry is a phone call, and the report doesn't say what Chicago asked for or what the Flyers offered.
The timing is what makes people look twice. Kevin Weekes reported Michkov would likely want a fresh start, and Chris Johnston says the Flyers have received no formal trade request. Our question about Michkov facing the cameras is still hanging over today.
Kasey Kurz was just as direct, reporting that Michkov has NOT requested a trade, per a team source.
Elliotte Friedman said he has done a lot of work on what is going on between Michkov and the Flyers, and that he has heard Danny Briere is committed to the player.
What does the Moore inquiry say about Briere?
It says the GM is working the phones while his team sits 27th in the NHL at 5-10-5. A call about a young center doesn't read as a plan to move Michkov. It reads as a GM looking for help up the middle and in the age group he already believes in.
Friedman's word that Briere is committed to Michkov fits that. Asking about a 21-year-old is the opposite of a teardown, even though DFO also reported the Flyers may break up their veteran core if the season doesn't turn around.
The numbers back the urgency. Philadelphia carries a -21 goal differential, and the fallout from the heated moment on the Flyers bench in Vancouver hasn't gone away.
Tonight's trip to Edmonton won't calm anything. The Flyers are 2-6-2 on the road, and the Oilers are 7-0-1 at home on the other side of that ledger, so every shift involving Michkov will be watched.
Quick hits
CALGARY FLAMESEric Francis just confirmed Dustin Wolf is in the Flames' net tonight against the Rangers. Othmann faces his old club in the same game, so there's a storyline on both ends of the ice.
INJURYMichael Russo reports Brock Faber is penciled in to return to the Wild lineup Saturday night in Boston. After a long wait, that's the news Minnesota fans wanted.
NEW YORK ISLANDERSDavid Pagnotta reports the Islanders are eyeing next Tuesday for Mathew Barzal's season debut. That's a big lift for a lineup that has waited.
NASHVILLE PREDATORSJuuse Saros blanked the Kings last night, one day after Pekka Rinne's Hall of Fame induction in Toronto. Pretty fitting tribute from the man who took his crease.
ST. LOUIS BLUESJim Montgomery was blunt about Dalibor Dvorsky after the Blues' 3-2 win over Detroit on Tuesday night. The coach isn't hiding his message.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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