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Philadelphia Flyers management is united on trade efforts

By Darrell Samuels

Oct 29, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn (22) celebrates his goal with center Brayden Schenn (10) and center Vincent Lecavalier (40) against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn (22) celebrates his goal with center Brayden Schenn (10) and center Vincent Lecavalier (40) against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Holmgren won’t interfere in Ron Hextall’s plans for the Philadelphia Flyers

The NHL Trade Deadline is February 29. This week, there have been deals that have been fairly significant. There was a straight one for one trade between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Nashville Predators. In addition, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Los Angeles Kings constructed a deal that will shape the landscape between now and the end of next month. Other teams will see these trades and will be proactive in improving their goal of hopefully winning a Stanley Cup.

General Manager Ron Hextall has been able to ship forward Vincent Lecavalier and defenseman Luke Schenn to the state of California. Former Flyers GM and current team President, Paul Holmgren, was able to acquire both men and bring them to Pennsylvania. In this trade with Los Angeles, a draft pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and 23-year-old Jordan Weal are coming across the country to wear Flyers’ colours.

The Courier Post newspaper is reporting that Holmgren holds no resentment toward Hextall for moving Lecavalier and Schenn to Los Angeles.

Schenn is a former 1st round pick of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward James van Riemsdyk. He had 43 points in 213 contests in Philadelphia. In 249 games for the original six franchise, van Riemsdyk has earned 178 points. It turned out being a fantastic trade for Toronto and a deal that Holmgren is probably regretting ever considering.

Lecavalier started his career in Tampa Bay with the Lightning organization in the 1998-99 campaign. After spending 14 seasons in Tampa, he was in for a surprise. In July, 2013 after being bought out by the Lightning, he signed a five year, $22.5 million contract. In 133 regular season games, he only earned 58 points total to go with two points in seven playoff games.

After 39 games, the Flyers have 41 points. There is always pressure to win in Philadelphia and they are only 8 points ahead of the cellar-dweller Columbus Blue Jackets.

There are probably still more trades to be made by Hextall, prior to the deadline. At least publicly, Holmgren and Hextall are on the same page and that can only help improve the Flyers.

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