Briere Wasting Zero Time; Two Trades in the Works

Since Briere spent only $875,000 to acquire: 

• Helge Grans (RHD prospect)
• 2023 1st-round pick (#22) 
• 2024 2nd-round pick (CBJ) *Conditional 
• 2024 2nd-round pick (LAK)

…it’s pretty safe to say he is not messing around. He doesn’t care that he’s a rookie GM with a fellow-rookie President of Hockey Ops who was calling hockey games a couple of weeks ago. This front office laid a starting plan out in front of us and it’s coming to life right before our eyes. 

Yes, there is so much more work to do but after years of constant stagnancy, it’s exciting to finally have a GM who isn’t afraid to shake things up and make a big move…or two? 

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The first trade according to Jeremy Rutherford, a St. Louis Blues writer for The Athletic, involves Kevin Hayes and other moving pieces. Elliotte Friedman reported that the hold-up on the deal is one of the players who has yet to waive his no-trade clause. 

Nothing confirmed yet, but sources tell @TheAthletic that the Blues and Flyers are working to finalize a trade for center Kevin Hayes. Appears to be several elements involved, which takes time, but could be done today. #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) June 24, 2023

Reports coming out now from Anthony Di Marco indicate this trade won’t be finalized until tomorrow. 

Don't expect anything to be finalized tonight. I'm told neither deal will be official until tomorrow.#fueledbyphilly

— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) June 25, 2023

Other reports say Travis Sanheim is the other moving piece in the trade. Sanheim recently signed an 8-year extension with the Flyers on October 13th, worth 6.25 million. Thanks, Chuck.

Watching Briere make moves this quickly by potentially involving a guy who was just one of the three players to help model your brand-new uniforms, is admirable to see personally. No wasted time. “The last regime did what they did when they had the power, now it’s my turn.” energy coming from Briere right now.

And the truth is, Sanheim is a 27-year-old defenseman who has had more value on the trade market in his career than he has had value on the ice. 

Potentially being able to get out from that 8-year extension is a really good move from Briere if he can actually end up getting it done.

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In addition to Sanheim and Hayes potentially being on the way out, it seems Tony DeAngelo appears to be right behind them.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Briere is working on a deal to send DeAngelo back to where Chuck Fletcher got him (Carolina). This trade, like the potential Hayes one, will not be finalized until tomorrow.

In addition to this currently-delayed Philadelphia trade with St. Louis, there is word the Flyers are also working on a Tony DeAngelo trade that would return him to Carolina. That one might also wait until tomorrow.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 25, 2023

Pierre LeBrun reported that PHI is eating 50% ($2,500,000) and will receive a prospect back from Carolina. 

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Let us take a look at Carolina’s prospects according to Scott Wheeler’s prospect pool rankings.

Per, Charlie O’Connor, it’ll be a prospect Carolina hasn’t signed yet. Let’s take a look at their top 10 prospects.

1. Scott Morrow – RHD – unsigned
2. Alexander Nikishin – LHD – unsigned
3. Pytor Kochetkov – G – signed
4. Jack Drury – C – signed
5. Jackson Blake – RW – unsigned
6. Jamieson Rees – C/LW – signed
7. Noel Gunler – LW/RW – signed
8. Ville Koiuvunen – RW/LW – signed
9. Ryan Suzuki – C – signed
10. Anttoni Honka – RHD – signed

Players like Gunler, Koiuvunen, Drury, and Rees are out of the picture. All are signed. 

Don’t see getting Scott Morrow or Alexander Nikishin, who are both unsigned, back just for retaining half of DeAngelo’s contract. So, we’re looking at Jackson Blake? 

Some unsigned players in Carolina’s system: 

1. Bobby Orr – RW – 
2. Bryce Montgomery – D – –
3. Kevin Wall – F – 
4. Jake Kucharski – G –

Eating half of DeAngelo’s $5 million dollar contract for one year for a C/B-level prospect is a win in my eyes. 

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Things are fluid, players and picks could change but expect to wake up tomorrow ready for a fun day. 

Listen to the new episode of The Liberty Yell #97: The Burnt Orange, and the Next One’s to Wear It

Mandatory Credit: Johnny Ulecka