Fansided

One player on each NHL team that should be traded

By Jeremy Lambert

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager of the Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin addresses the media prior to the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 7, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 07: General manager of the Montreal Canadiens Marc Bergevin addresses the media prior to the NHL game at the Bell Centre on January 7, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 25: Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Philadelphia Flyers warms up against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 25, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 25: Valtteri Filppula #51 of the Philadelphia Flyers warms up against the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 25, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

10. player. 68. . LW. Philadelphia Flyers. Valtteri Fillpula

The Philadelphia Flyers are battling for a playoff spot despite Valtteri Filppula, their third highest paid player, having arguably the worst season of his career. His offensive numbers aren’t great and his possession numbers are even worse. His shooting percentage is nearly 20 percent, but he doesn’t shoot the puck often enough.

The Flyers are ahead of schedule thanks to their top line, but I don’t think they are foolish enough to believe they have a real shot at the Cup this season. The Eagles are in the Super Bowl, Philly fans. You know better than anyone that the Sports God doesn’t like your city enough to give you a Super Bowl appearance and a legitimate Cup run.

Filppula is in the last year and could be a nice rental for a playoff team who isn’t from Philadelphia. He’s been dropped to the third line following the All-Star break as the Flyers want to make more minutes for Nolan Patrick. At this point, Filppula is addition by subtraction.

I know Flyers fans love Filppula’s veteran leadership. The Flyers love Filppula’s veteran leadership. But this is a business decision. Filppula is a valuable trade chip who can net the Flyers more pieces for their immediate future. And if the 33-year-old likes it that much in Philadelphia, he can always return in the offseason.

A team like Toronto could use Filppula’s leadership. They’re older than most casual observers think, but could benefit from a James van Riemsdyk for Filppula swap.

Boom just made the trade for you, Philadelphia and Toronto. Make me look like a genius.

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