Report: Drysdale injury won't change Flyers' deadline plans
The Philadelphia Flyers are maintaining a long-term outlook despite Jamie Drysdale's injury ahead of the trade deadline.
"The reality is (Drysdale's injury) won't affect ultimately what they decide at the deadline with Sean Walker and Nick Seeler, the two pending UFA D that continue to garner interest on the trade market," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Tuesday's edition of "Insider Trading."
Drysdale is out and considered week-to-week after sustaining a shoulder injury on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 21-year-old defenseman is set to be re-evaluated in two weeks.
LeBrun added: "Just because their blue line is depleted now with Drysdale out ... it won't deter the Flyers from the bigger picture or the long-term vision, which is if a team steps up on Walker in particular, I believe they will deal him."
Walker is No. 4 on theScore's list of candidates to be traded before the deadline, while Seeler comes in at No. 12.
The duo have formed an impressive pairing on the surprisingly competitive Flyers, who hold the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. They have played over 580 minutes together this season, outscoring the opposition 30-25 in that time with a 56.8% expected goals share, per Evolving Hockey.
Walker, 29, was acquired by the Flyers last summer in the Ivan Provorov three-team trade. The right-shot defender boasts 21 points in 56 games while playing 19:29 per contest. He has a $2.65-million cap hit.
Seeler, 30, has 10 points and 76 penalty minutes in 59 games. The rugged defenseman leads the Flyers with 172 blocked shots and is fourth on the team with 105 hits. His cap hit of $775,000 is the league minimum.
The NHL's trade deadline is Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m. ET.