Report: Flyers see a fit with Senators' Joseph

The Philadelphia Flyers appear open to taking on Ottawa Senators forward Mathieu Joseph's contract.

The Flyers like Joseph and see a fit with him, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. However, that doesn't mean the two sides are close to agreeing on a trade.

Philadelphia is asking for a high-level prospect or possibly a first-round pick, Friedman adds. The Senators have two 2024 first-rounders: their own and a conditional first-round pick acquired from the Detroit Red Wings as part of the Alex DeBrincat trade. Ottawa reportedly isn't willing to meet that price at this point.

The Senators are looking to clear cap space to sign their last remaining restricted free agent, Shane Pinto, who projects to play a critical role as the club's third-line center.

Ottawa has $120,953 in cap space, per CapFriendly. The club could likely increase that total to $1.7 million with a roster of only 17 skaters and two goalies. But that number still may not be enough to sign Pinto. Evolving-Hockey projects him getting a two-year deal at $1.88 million per year.

The Senators drafted Pinto 32nd overall in 2019. The 6-foot-3 center tallied 20 goals and 15 assists in his rookie year in 2022-23.

Joseph, who makes $2.95 million per season through 2025-26, has been rumored as the logical candidate to get dealt to make room for Pinto. The 26-year-old speedy winger managed just three goals and 15 assists in 56 contests last season. The Sens acquired the 2021 Stanley Cup winner and a fourth-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022 for Nick Paul.

The Senators are determined to make the leap and snap their six-year playoff drought - the third-longest in the league.

The Flyers appear to be in the early stages of a rebuild and are willing to weaponize their cap space (over $7 million) to gain assets.