The Philadelphia Flyers have waded into league trade waters. They acquired goalie Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from Toronto last week, and on Thursday, they shipped Garnet Hathaway and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Florida Panthers for a fifth round pick this year and a fourth-rounder in 2027.But is a bigger, bolder move on the horizon?Let’s take a closer look at some players that have been linked to the Flyers at one point or another, and whether they make sense for general manager Daniel Briere to pursue.Dylan LarkinAge: 29
Contract: $8.7 million through 2031Why it makes sense: The Flyers need a top-line center. Larkin, with five straight 30-plus goal seasons, is that, and his salary for the next five seasons makes him even more appealing, even though he turns 30 next month. A Larkin-Porter Martone-Trevor Zegras (or Tyson Foerster) top line would look pretty darn good, no? The Flyers’ interest here was entirely predictable.Why it doesn’t: The Flyers weren’t initially on Larkin’s short trade list, and that could end up being an insurmountable hurdle.Verdict: If it’s future assets that the Red Wings are seeking, and if Larkin comes around on the Flyers, this could still potentially be a fit. While it feels unlikely at the moment, it’s pretty early in the summer.Darnell NurseAge: 31
