Philadelphia Flyers General Manager Danny Briere made another shrewd move.
Per the organization, “We have acquired a conditional first-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft and center Ryan Johansen from Colorado in exchange for defenseman Sean Walker and a fifth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.”
Walker was acquired in a three-team deal last June that moved Ivan Provorov.
Two days before the National Hockey League Trade Deadline, this transaction exchanged an expiring contract for a Top 10 protected first-round pick in 2025. So, it will likely be a 2026 selection. Taking on Johansen's contract allowed the Flyers to gain solid assets. (Johansen was subsequently waived.)
Along with the above, resigning Nick Seeler to a four-year contract extension at a reasonable number looks smart. A heart-and-soul player who is loved in the locker room, Seeler remains part of the rebuild. His ever-impressive shock-blocking ability currently has the veteran on the Injured List. But the message to the room is that a role model's work ethic is deeply valued and can be rewarded.
Whether more deals happen by Friday or not, Briere pushed the rebuild plan forward. This season feels like a two-fer, with more progress than expected and the Flyers' return to League prominence coming in a shorter number of years than expected.
