Could the Flyers Land Seth Jones?

As I’m sure you’re all aware, the Blue Jackets’ star defenseman Seth Jones has told them he has no intention of re-signing with the team. Truthfully, I don’t blame him, because it’s…you know…Ohio. Anyway, that has obviously set off discussions about trading him to at least get some return for one of the best right handed defensemen in the league. What team might we know of that needs an elite right handed blue liner? None other than the Philadelphia Flyers.

Now Seth Jones is not the only D-man lighting up the rumor mill. Carolina Hurricanes stud Dougie Hamilton has been granted permission to speak to other teams, signaling he might not re-sign in Carolina. However, reports came out today, June 15th, that the Flyers are not pursuing Hamilton, favoring Seth Jones or “someone else” (that was the actual quote I can’t make this up).

Even though these reports could be false, let’s say the Flyers are all in on Seth Jones. What would it take for the Flyers to acquire such a defenseman in a trade that would ultimately depend on Jones actually signing a deal once he arrives? Well, our old friend Sam Carchidi has speculated that a trade package would start with some combination of Scott Laughton, Nolan Patrick, Phil Myers, and a 1st round draft pick. I imagine some more draft picks would have to be added, and there is the stipulation of Jones resigning in Philadelphia after being traded, but that would be discussed prior to the trade.

If Patrick/Laughton, Myers, and a 1st ends up being the trade package, and let’s even throw in a 2nd round pick to sweeten it, that has to be the biggest no brainer in NHL history no? Even if the Flyers sign Jones to a deal at around $8-9M per year, which I expect he’ll get, they have the space to do it. In doing so, they would immediately have a top-10, if not top-5, 1st defenseman pairing. Provorov is set to have a bounce back year, and replacing Myers with Seth Jones almost a crime against Columbus.

Again, this is all speculation, as I would imagine the Blue Jackets would ask for MUCH more than that. If that’s it, though, the Flyers need to make that trade yesterday, as they would immediately become eons better than they were last year. Trading away Laughton and Myers (assuming they are the players in the deal), would free up roughly an additional $4.6M in cap space, giving them a grand total of around $16.8M. That is plenty to sign Jones and go acquire a bottom 6 forward to fill Laughton’s shoes, while Cam York takes over for Phil Myers. It feels like a stars aligning type moment, and man I want this to happen.

This could be all for nothing, though, as Chuck Fletcher might get neither Jones, nor Hamilton. Let me know who you’d like to see in orange and black next year. Seth Jones? Dougie Hamilton? Or someone else?