Skip to content
Flyers
Link copied to clipboard

Flyers in trade talks for Ryane Clowe

Whatever they label themselves, the Flyers are still very much active in trade talks.

Two points back of a playoff spot, the Flyers refuse to call themselves "buyers" before Wednesday afternoon's trade deadline.

Whatever they label themselves, the Flyers are still very much active in trade talks.

The Flyers are in negotiations with San Jose about acquiring forward Ryane Clowe, multiple sources confirmed to the Daily News on Monday.

Clowe, 30, is a pending unrestricted free agent. However, he would not be a "rental" player, since one key to acquiring Clowe would be locking him up with a long-term deal. Clowe is playing out the final season of a 4-year, $14.5 million pact.

There was a report in "The Telegram," Clowe's hometown paper in St. John's, Newfoundland, that a trade with the Flyers will be completed sometime on Monday. One member of the Flyers' front office called the "Telegram" report "over eager."

A call placed to Clowe's agent Monday morning was not immediately returned to the Daily News.

Clowe has been on the market for the better part of the season. He has a full no-trade clause but Sharks general manager Doug Wilson has been working with Clowe's agent to try and find the right fit. Clowe's name has also been linked to the Canucks, Wild, Canadiens, Rangers and Bruins. Wilson would prefer that Clowe lands in the East.

Two key members of the Sharks' scouting staff – including director of pro scouting John Ferguson and Eastern-based scout Jason Rowe – were at the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday night. Rowe was in town all week, at each of the Flyers' four home games.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren and director of hockey operations Chris Pryor personally scouted the Sharks in Minnesota on March 23. The Flyers have also been interested in forward/defenseman Brent Burns, though Burns carries a monstrous cap hit for the next few years.

Clowe seems to make much more sense. He is a sturdy, reliable winger who could play alongside Claude Giroux to help him create. He has just 11 assists (no goals) in 29 games this season, but has been a relatively consistent, 50-point scorer over the last handful of seasons. Clowe averaged 54 points per year from 2008-2012.

It is interesting to see what the burgeoning market will bring for Clowe. Some seem to think the Sharks overvalue Clowe, but there is clearly a list of teams lined up for his services.

Wednesday's deadline is at 3 o'clock.

For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers