While many teams will be turning to the free agent market in a couple of weeks to shore up their goaltending situation, it appears as if the Flyers may be going in a different direction. GM Chuck Fletcher told reporters, including Dave Isaac of the Cherry Hill Courier-Post, that they’ve had trade talks with multiple teams about finding a backup netminder for Carter Hart.
Philadelphia has four pending UFA goalies on their current roster in Cam Talbot, Brian Elliott, Michal Neuvirth, and Mike McKenna. While they acquired Talbot before the trade deadline in what appeared to be an audition for that role, he wound up hardly playing for them down the stretch and struggled in the few appearances he had. Elliott was more effective but has had injury issues over his two seasons with the Flyers while the other two were already not expected to return.
With the number of goalies that are set to hit free agency, the trade market for backups isn’t particularly robust. Florida is shopping James Reimer but his $3.4MM price tag for two more years would be a lot to take on. Toronto is open to moving Garret Sparks but he has yet to establish himself at the NHL level.
As for other possible trade options, Montreal’s Charlie Lindgren has drawn interest over the last couple of years but with Antti Niemi gone, they could be planning to use him as a full-time backup for 2019-20 and it’s not as if he’s proven in the NHL either. Youngsters Tristan Jarry (Pittsburgh) and Eric Comrie (Winnipeg) are waiver-eligible which could make them trade chips but once again, neither have proven themselves in the NHL. With a still relatively-untested Hart between the pipes, having another young goalie to partner with him carries some risk.
Fletcher didn’t rule out the possibility of eventually looking to free agency to find a backup goalie but for now, it appears that he’d like to have Hart’s backup in place before the calendar flips to July.
San Jose offers a slightly used Aaron Dell for a 6th.
Anyone who picks up sparks is a fool. He is not an nhl goalie. he has a massive over inflated ego. If you are going young guy try any of the others first. dubas is a fool if he does get a real backup for Toronto .
Calvin Pickard, or Jame Reimer who was shipped out of Toronto as well , is in same class, all the other backups carry a lofty price, Smith(Cgy) Bernier (Det) Miller(Ana) maybe Allen (StL) Talbot(Phi) Agree Dell is best option.
How do you see a inflated ego?
Maybe Boston finds a goalie they like and decide to move Halak? They’re being floated as a dark horse candidate to make a splash in FA if they can clear a bit of space, and going with a cheaper backup would only make a marginal difference, but if you combined that with shipping out say Kevan Miller and David Backes, now you’re talking
Talbot for $2mil x 3
Why not try one of the many young goalies in the system?