Nah. Seattle has so many better options than JVR to take from Flyers, despite his amazing start to this year. A measly 3rd won't change a thing here.

Just curious, if Flyers protect:

Coots, G, Jake, Hayes, TK, Lindblom and Patty
Provy, Sanheim, Myers
Hart

What would be Seattle's "better options"? I really like Laughts but since he's a UFA, Flyers probably won't protect him.

Also, what do you think the Flyers would need to add to get Seattle to take JVR?

Don't see them taking UFAs either, so it'll probably be one of their younger guys. Aube-Kubel, Rubtsov or Bunnaman. Maybe Ghost if he can get his ducks in a row. Or Hägg.

They pale in comparison to JVR in terms of level, but they're also $6M cheaper (aside from Ghost). Saying they're better options is a bit subjective, I admit, but none of them are going to become an issue for the team, unlike JVR should he start declining.

In the VGK draft, Tampa paid 2nd+signing rights of Gusev in order for VGK to take Garrison's big contract off their hands. So there might be an example for you.

Maybe Samuel Morin and a 2022 2nd round pick as compensation for taking JVR?

JVR is scoring at over a 100 point pace right now. Even if that isn't sustainable, Seattle wont take German Rubstov who will probably never be an NHL player over him and Philly won't have to pay for them to want to take JVR

Doesn't really matter. If he could sustain it, PHI would protect him. If he can't sustain it, SEA is not picking him. Point being, it's very unlikely that Seattle actually take him. Too expensive and too fickle.

I don't see Rubtsov being the realistic option. It'll most likely be Aube-Kubel. Or possibly Myers, should PHI strengthen their D near the deadline. I kinda reckon they will.

Wouldn't be too surprised if they acquired Dumba.

I think that's a bit of an under simplification. The reason Philly would protect would be Hayes and G having NMCs, Having 3 young guys who really should be protected for the long haul, Couturier who is a no brainer and Voracek who is still playing at the level of a top line player. JVR would be exposed as a causality of Philly being insanely deep and having limited term on his deal. Even if he were producing at 60ish% of his current rate that's still a 60 point winger. Given the current players available league wide I'd venture JVR would be one of if not the best forward immediately available to Seattle when the draft occurs. I just really can't see a team that wont be even remotely cap strapped passing up on a 1LW for a 4th line winger because it saves a little money.

Hell, Philly would be thrilled if they took NAK over him at this rate

I think the question isn't about choosing between a 1LW and a 4RW, but rather will that 1LW be able to keep up his level in what is most likely going to be a significantly worse team than PHI is.

If they pick JVR, and roll him to first line with players like Kerfoot and TyJo for example, his numbers are certainly dropping. Then instead of having a James Van Riemsdyk scoring in a great rate, they instead have what we now know as James Neal. Overpaid ex power forward who can't produce.

Can't see them risking taking in an anchor contract, should it come to that. Picking players like NAK or Bunnaman are free of risk in that way.

If JVR keeps playing the way he's been playing, I don't think the Flyers would have to entice Seattle at all. But, we all know how streaky he is. I suspect that continues this year, and the Flyers may have to sweeten the deal. However, I think the only other realistic option for Seattle is Ghost or NAK, and as much as I like both of those guys, I think they are replaceable. Unless Ghost gets back to 2016 form.

Totally agree with you on Rubtsov, I think his shot is done. And I don't see Seattle wasting their pick on him.