Philadelphia reporter refutes claims that Flyers and Leafs are talking trade
Philadelphia Flyers GM, Daniel Briere is trying to undo 3 of Chuck Fletcher's mistakes in one day. The Flyers were rumoured to have had a deal finalized with the St. Louis Blues last night that would've sent Kevin Hayes and Travis Sanheim to the Blues for Torey Krug and a late first round pick in 2023. Then shortly after that it was mentioned that a Tony DeAngelo trade to the Carolina Hurricanes was almost done.
Fast forward to the following day and Torey Krug not waiving his NTC is holding up the Blues deal and all went quiet on the DeAngelo front even though the Flyers were retaining half of his salary and looking for lower-quality prospect. With Sanheim's salary matching that of Krug's it almost seems improbable that the original deal follows through with the latter waiving his NTC.
Many have stated to expect a Hayes to St. Louis and DeAngelo to Carolina trade to be finalized either today or tomorrow but perhaps the Flyers are pivoting to a different team for Sanheim. The Flyers would like to trade him before his NTC kicks in on the 1st of July.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioned how the Toronto Maple Leafs could poke around the situation because the Flyers want another first round pick - which the Leafs have - and the Leafs are looking to trade for immediate help - which Sanheim would provide. However a deal from both sides would not make sense.
For the Flyers to be able to move on from Sanheim they need matching salary, which is why the Blues worked in theory. They have several players on long-term deal with salaries ranging in the 5-6.5 million range. The Flyers would flip whoever they got in return but would get a preferred package with more picks. Obviously they would take a player for pick trade in a heartbeat but no one is going to do that with so much term left.
However the Leafs don't necessarily have a matching salary to trade away except William Nylander's 6.962 million or T.J. Brodie's soon to be expiring 5 million AAV. Neither of those players will be moved alongside a first for Sanheim. Toronto could just take on his full 8-year deal and ride into the sunset by disposing of their late first round pick but that wouldn't make much sense either.
Anthony SanFilippo of The Crossing Broad tweeted out shortly after Pagnotta's claim that the Leafs and Flyers have not engaged in any talks and that the Flyers are still trying to make things work with the Blues and vice versa as St. Louis still really wants the young defenseman.
Still, even with SanFilippo refuting the rumour about Sanheim and the Leafs, the Buds are still believed to have touches base with the Flames on Noah Hanifin.
