The Philadelphia Flyers were once seen as a strong candidate to land star defenseman Quinn Hughes, but that possibility has now faded. Hughes was traded by the Vancouver Canucks to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Marco Rossi, Jeev Bouim, Liam Ogren, and a first-round pick in 2026.
With Hughes off the table, here are three defensemen the Flyers might want to consider to bolster their defense:
Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres has been frequently mentioned in trade talks as the Sabres struggle this season. At 24 years old, Byram could be an ideal addition to the Flyers’ developing team. This season, he has appeared in 31 games, scoring six goals and totaling 13 points, which would likely place him in the Flyers’ top-four defensemen.
Pavel Minchukov from the Anaheim Ducks is another intriguing option. The 22-year-old, who was the 10th overall pick in 2022, has had difficulty finding his place with the Ducks and might thrive with a fresh start. In 28 games this season, he has tallied two goals and seven points, showcasing potential that the Flyers could benefit from.
Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks could be an excellent acquisition if the Flyers remain in playoff contention near the trade deadline. This 27-year-old is a defensive-minded defenseman who effectively fulfills his role. He has played 32 games this season with one goal, seven points, 60 hits, 70 blocks, and a plus-8 rating.
Fan Take: This news is exciting for hockey fans because it shifts the landscape for team-building strategies heading into the trade deadline. The Flyers’ pursuit of these defensemen could significantly impact their playoff hopes and add some intriguing developments to the NHL’s defense market this season.
