Question for Philly fans -I can see that playoffs this year are not likely, but given the turn around in the second half of the season, the emergence of Hart and the fact that Gudas is signed through next season why would the Flyers be interested in trading Gudas for middling picks? The 2nd has about a 30% chance of becoming a regular NHLer and the other picks being offered are less than that. Wouldn't he be worth keeping? Is it a case of a trade just to be active at the deadline?
I don't think the Flyers would trade him for a 2nd to be honest.
The rationale behind trading him aside from the fact that he's a polarizing player in Philly is that the Flyers have a lot of defenseman locked into roster spots for next season. Provorov, Ghost, Sanheim, Hagg, and Myers are locks to be in the opening night roster unless there's a surprising offseason trade. The Flyers really want to give Morin a legit chance next season after he's fully recovered from injury and then AMac still has a year left on an untradeable contract so they are probably the 6th and 7th defenseman. If they keep Gudas they would probably be forced to keep Morin in the AHL because it would be a waste to have a young guy sit in the press box as a #7 and I think they view Morin as a cheaper option to replace what Gudas brings.
I don't think its so much that they want him gone, it's more of a numbers game and the fact that Gudas has a reasonable cap hit for what he brings so he would certainly have some value. I hope they find a way out of AMacs contract and I would rather see them trade Hagg but that's just me.