Anthony Di Marco just reported that the Flyers will look to gut their veteran core if the season doesn't turn, even if Travis Konecny blocks a move.
The timing is odd. Philadelphia won 3-1 in Vancouver on Monday night, and Konecny scored the game-winner. But the Flyers are still 5-10-5 and sit 27th in the NHL.
Di Marco, citing sources, said the Flyers would look to take an axe to their nucleus of veteran players even if Konecny enforces his no-movement clause.
Nothing is done here. No trade is confirmed, and the report names no destination. The plan is conditional: it kicks in if the results stay where they are, and general manager Daniel Briere would be the one to pull the trigger.
The mood around the group was already tense. Jordan Hall reported a heated moment on the Flyers bench involving Matvei Michkov during the third period in Vancouver.
This report follows an earlier one from Di Marco. His sources said the veterans are the biggest issue right now and that the play of Porter Martone and Michkov isn't the problem.
The names called out were Konecny, Sean Couturier, Trevor Zegras, Travis Sanheim and Cam York. Couturier has 1 goal and 6 assists in 20 games, Zegras has 4 goals and 10 assists, and Sanheim has 2 goals and 6 assists.
Can Daniel Briere really move the Flyers veterans?
Not easily, and not all of them. Konecny holds a no-movement clause, which is exactly why the report says the Flyers would act anyway. The rest of the group would need willing partners, and the report names none.
Some cases are easier to make than others. York is minus-10 in 12 games with one assist, and Couturier's seven points in 20 games are hard to defend for a veteran centering a top group. Zegras has the same 14 points as Michkov, which makes him a harder target to justify.
Briere has already shown he's looking around. Elliotte Friedman said Sunday the Flyers poked around on Simon Edvinsson, though a center might be the problem.
Tearing down a core after 20 games, a night after a win, would be a mistake. But the road is the issue. The Flyers are 2-6-2 away from home, and Wednesday they visit an Edmonton team that is 13-3-3 and second in the NHL.
Quick hits
NEW YORK ISLANDERSMathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock were all in regular practice jerseys in San Jose this morning, according to Andrew Gross. Three bodies back at once is the best news Long Island could ask for.
LOS ANGELES KINGSZach Dooley just confirmed that Mats Zuccarello returns to the Kings' lineup tonight against the Predators. That's a nice lift for a big night.
MINNESOTA WILDMichael Russo reports that Jared Spurgeon comes off injured reserve and returns for the Wild tonight in Montreal. The blue line gets its veteran back.
VANCOUVER CANUCKSGeneral manager Ryan Johnson just claimed defenseman Cameron Crotty off waivers from the Minnesota Wild. The Canucks are reworking their blue line on the fly.
COLORADO AVALANCHECale Makar is in the lineup tonight against the Maple Leafs, and Corey Masisak says he feels good. Colorado gets its best defenseman back for a big test.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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