Crushed by injuries and two double-digit losing streaks, the Flyers are in full-on sell mode, enduring one of their worst seasons in franchise history.
Chuck Fletcher is set to "aggressively retool" the club at the NHL trade deadline.
"Everything's on the table," the Flyers' general manager said Jan. 26.
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Leading up to the March 21 deadline, we're evaluating the Flyers' candidates to be moved.
We started with Claude Giroux. Next in our series is Derick Brassard.
Why Brassard could be traded
The well-traveled veteran center is on an expiring contract for only $825,000, so he'd come cheap for a playoff club eyeing a solid rental. The Flyers are focused on next season and they'll shop Brassard.
NHL
Contending teams will be interested. Brassard can play center or winger and has been through his share of postseason wars, having played 117 career playoff games, the most on the Flyers' roster. He's 34 years old, has played for nine teams and has been traded five times. He's a pro that can jump into a lineup and perform.
"Probably he's been sort of hardened by some of that stuff that's gone on throughout his career," Flyers interim head coach Mike Yeo said Tuesday. "I would also say I think his biggest focus right now is just sort of getting back and getting his game going."
His value will take a knock because of health concerns this season at his age. A troubling hip injury has forced Brassard to miss 31 games. He had returned three times from the injury only to come back out of the lineup the very next game.
Recently, though, he has stayed in the lineup, playing the last six games in which he has put up a goal, an assist, 13 shots and a 57.4 faceoff win percentage in 14:27 minutes per game.
What they're saying
Brassard admitted the trade deadline is tough to not think about at this time of the year, particularly when a team with experience on the roster like the Flyers has underachieved.
"I think it's in everyone's mind, especially when the expectations were high here and obviously we're a little bit far from the playoffs right now," Brassard said Wednesday. "Obviously it's in the back of everyone's mind in our dressing room.
"For me personally, I signed here because I believe the Flyers were a team to contend for a Cup. We'll see what's going to happen. I haven't talked to Chuck or anything or my agent. We'll see what's going to happen a week from now."
Brassard lost the 2014 Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers and has lost in the Eastern Conference Final three times — twice in a Game 7 and once in a Game 6.
"That's what we play for; I came really close three times I think in my career," Brassard said. "It's really hard, just to even make the playoffs, everything has to click. With the salary cap now, it's a really long season, you're hoping for your team to stay healthy for a playoff run. Everything has to click.
"I'd like to have another shot. I believe this team has it and I'd like to stay here, for sure."
Projected return
The Flyers would receive draft pick compensation in return if they're to move Brassard. A fourth- or fifth-round selection seems possible.
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