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Oilers’ perfect trade offer for Flyers’ Owen Tippett
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- Oilers’ perfect trade offer for Flyers’ Owen Tippett
Oilers' perfect trade offer for Flyers' Owen Tippett appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Philadelphia Flyers made a bold move during the final weeks of the regular season and surged into a playoff position. They were able to defeat the cross-state Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round and that enabled them to combat the eventual champion Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. While they lost that series in four straight games, they got to see a championship team operating at its peak — giving the Flyers a true lesson on what it will take to reach that level in the foreseeable future.
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There is work for general manager Daniel Briere to do, and with the NHL Draft commencing Friday night, the team will be able to make several key additions to their organization. In addition to bringing in the top young talent, the NHL Draft can also be a key time for making trades and changing the makeup of the team.
The Flyers and every NHL team have certainly taken notice of the huge blockbuster the Florida Panthers and the Ottawa Senators completed Sunday. Brady Tkachuk will join his brother Matthew in South Florida as that team attempts to reassert its dominance after missing the playoffs this season. The Panthers gave up three first-round draft choices and a second-round selection to complete the deal. It is expected that the two Tkachuk brothers will play on the same line next season for head coach Paul Maurice.
The Flyers are not likely to make an epic deal like that, but they could be involved in a key trade of winger Owen Tippett . He has been with the Flyers for five of his eight seasons in the NHL.
Possible Flyers trade of Owen Tippett to Oilers
Tippett has emerged as solid offensive threat after scoring 22 goals or more in each of his last four seasons. He scored a career-best 28 goals last season and is clearly a first- or second-line player.
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The Edmonton Oilers have a need for solid players who can contribute consistently on the offensive end. They have superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as their headliners, but they need consistent players who can find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Tippett has size and strength at 6-1 and 210 pounds. He can go to the front of the net and look for deflections, rebounds and tough plays around the net. He can be difficult to move once he anchors himself in that position.
If the Flyers are going to make such a deal and give up one of the most dependable scorers, they have to get a solid player in return. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been with the Oilers for 15 years since he was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. While Nugent-Hopkins never became a superstar, he remains a solid and productive player who can play center or a wing.
He clearly has a mature and well-developed game, but he should have several good years left at the age of 33. He could also bring the Flyers the kind of playoff maturity that would help the team compete in the postseason if they can get back to the Stanley Cup playoffs again next year.
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That is certainly the expectation that Briere and Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet have for the upcoming season.
Could Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could thrive in a new environment?
Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
There has been a sameness and a routine for Nugent-Hopkins during the last several years. He has had the same role as either a second- or third-line player — depending on the coach's prerogative — for a team that has had championship aspirations.
Nugent-Hopkins has been one of the "other" guys on the Oilers for years, because this team belongs to McDavid and Draisaitl. "The Nuge" has certainly been a respected member of the team and one that can be counted on to contribute, but a new uniform and a new responsibility on an Eastern Conference team could take him out of his routine and raise his compete level.
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Playing for a coach like Tocchet could inspire him quite a bit and playing against Eastern Conference opponents could add some spice to his game. He has seen teams like the Penguins, Rangers, Capitals , Maple Leafs , Bruins and Islanders for years, but only on an infrequent basis. Playing four or five games per season against Eastern Conference teams that are not as familiar with his game could have a dramatic impact on his scoring totals.
Nugent-Hopkins had a huge season in 2022-23 when he scored 37 goals and 67 assists for 104 points. That is 35 points better than his second-most productive season. It's likely that Nugent-Hopkins won't reach that level again.
However, he could score 65-75 points in a season and play a huge role on the power play for the Flyers. That would provide a significant upgrade for the Flyers.
A trade of Tippett for Nugent-Hopkins could be the type of deal that helps both teams.
Related: Flyers' perfect offer for Oilers' Darnell Nurse after trade request
