Walker, Seeler valuable but not trade-proof
Even though some Flyers players might be performing quite a bit over their job resume – while contributing mightily to the team’s unexpected lofty standing — it doesn’t necessarily guarantee they will be around here next season.
You will find defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler right at the top of that list.
Ironically, they’ve been partners for much of the season.
Both are unsigned for next season and can become unrestricted free agents. Which makes them prime targets for speculation as the March 8 NHL trade deadline nears.
Why break up a good thing, you ask, after noting the Metro Division’s third-place team is playing well beyond nearly everyone’s season-opening prognostications?
Well, for starters, while this moment in the sun might be fun, it doesn’t altogether fit into the team’s long-range plans for success. General manager Daniel Briere has made it clear he will listen to offers and that works both ways. In other words, he’s not going to give up young talent to fill a gap in the team’s lineup but he’s also not going to sell off proven veterans if they can help the team down the road.
On Friday, head coach John Tortorella backed up Briere’s vow. For the second time in about a week, Tortorella stated the Flyers have to “listen” when they answer the phone and another team with dealing on its mind is on the other end of the line.
“When it comes to the deadline, as I said the other day, we’re going to listen,” Tortorella said. “If we feel it’s the right thing to do for the future of the organization, we’ll do it.”
That kind of talk might keep those two players, both 29 years old, tossing and turning at night but each has gone through the trade process and there’s not much they can do. Worrying won’t help the cause.
“Those guys on expiring contracts (defenseman Marc Staal is the other), everybody always kinds of checking around,” Tortorella said. “We’ll see where it goes.”
It almost goes without saying Tortorella likes Walker’s game. He came over from Los Angeles in the Ivan Provorov trade and the Flyers weren’t even sure he would make the roster. They’ve been pleasantly surprised by his play. Through 52 games the Ontario native had registered 19 points with a plus-9.
“I didn’t know anything about him,” Tortorella said. “Great competitor. When he’s a safe player, he’s a bad player. When he’s a player that takes a chance making plays, he’s a really good player.
“He’s been a little inconsistent. I just think he’s that good. Undrafted, no one knows who he is until he plays. He and Seeler have been put together and kind of hung in there together. They’ve been a great pair for us this year.”
Seeler’s been right at top of the team’s plus-minus leaders, hovering in double digits. Plus he leads the NHL with blocked shots, notching 150 heading into Saturday’s game against Seattle.
Walker has dazzled onlookers at times with his daring rushes to the net. A few of his goals have come off these opportunistic plays, including two shorthanded goals (which are very rare for defensemen).
“He’s a righthanded defenseman,” Tortorella said. “A very important guy for us.
“We’re not out there shopping Sean Walker. But we would be dopes if we didn’t listen.”
A lot of it could depend on how the Flyers fare over these next few weeks. If they stay in the playoff hunt, there’s a better than even-odds chance they will hang on to what they have.
But if they were to fall out of the chase, all bets are off.
And that, however, doesn’t mean the players who are under contract for next season should be feeling too comfortable. There might be a couple no-trade clauses floating around but a number of players are vulnerable to movement. So even if the team does well and a particular player doesn’t, something could happen there as well.
Outdoor game still a big deal?: Tortorella was asked about the Flyers’ upcoming outdoor game against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, Feb. 11 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
The coach has been involved in Winter Classic action, including when he guided the New York Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Flyers in Philadelphia on Jan. 2, 2012. Is it still a big deal for him to operate for one night under the stars?
“We’re doing it as a league and this and that but the state of the team and where we’re at, for me it’s going to be a game we’re going to try to win.
“I hope the families have fun and all the things that go along with it. We’re just going to prepare – I think we’re coming in from Toronto (on Thursday night) and have some time to check out the rink (on Friday). As far as preparing, as a coaching staff, we’re just going to prepare as a team. All the other stuff around us, we really don’t pay too much attention to it.”
Games like this are somewhat dependent on the weather but the long-range forecast calls for seasonal temperatures (around freezing/32 degrees) and no snow.
“I think it’s more fun for the guys,” Tortorella said. “The coaches just freeze their asses off on the bench. In the situation we’re in, those are important points against Jersey. I don’t want to boo-hoo it but we’re going to concentrate on getting our team prepared.”