‘Everything’s on the table’ for Flyers ahead of Trade Deadline, GM says

WASHINGTON — The Philadelphia Flyers could be buyers and sellers ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline at 3 p.m. ET on March 8.

With the Flyers (32-23-7) in third place in the Metropolitan Division and in position to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2020, general manager Daniel Briere said Friday that they could make a depth trade to help bolster the lineup for the postseason push as long it doesn’t interfere with their rebuilding plan.

“Everything’s on the table,” Briere said during the Flyers’ 5-2 loss against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. “We’re not going to do a rental for high-end assets for the future. We’re protecting those. We realize where we’re at. It’s not just about this year. It’s about protecting the future, as well. If it’s a hockey trade, that’s a possibility.

“If we feel it makes us better, yeah, there’s a possibility where we trade and we may also get some return where maybe the cost is not as high as the return on the trade.”

Philadelphia is still evaluating the market for defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler, who each can become an unrestricted free agent after this season. While talking to other teams about Walker, 29, and Seeler, 30, Briere has also been talking to their agents about potential contract extensions.

“The talks are good,” Briere said. “We’re getting a sense of where they’re looking to be, or we have a better sense today of where they’re looking to be. We’re also evaluating on the other side the returns that are possible and trying to, after that, put it all together and decide what’s best once we know the interest from other teams. So, there’s all kinds of things to consider. But we’re trying to get it all together.”

Briere acknowledged that defenseman Chris Tanev coming off the market after being traded from the Calgary Flames to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday has brought more interest from other teams in the Flyers defensemen. But he said the return for Tanev — defenseman prospect Artem Grushnikov, the Stars’ second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft — not including a first-round pick hasn’t impacted what he wants in return for Walker and Seeler.

“It doesn’t change our asking price,” Briere said. “Yeah, [the return] was maybe a little lighter than expected, but it doesn’t change our approach. If teams are not willing to meet our price, and what we feel is fair, we’re a playoff team. We get to keep them, and we get to make a run. That’s the way I see it.”

One area the Flyers are seeking to upgrade is goaltending. Rookie Samuel Ersson (17-12-4, 2.62 goals-against average, .897 save percentage, and three shutouts) has played well, but the 24-year-old might benefit from having an experienced goalie to support him.

Philadelphia put goalie Cal Petersen through waivers and assigned him to Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League on Thursday after the 29-year-old…