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Flyers Notes: Will Flyers add defenseman before trade deadline?

WASHINGTON - General manager Paul Holmgren says he will upgrade the Flyers' defense if the right deal comes along. He is running out of time.

Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)
Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien. (Ann Heisenfelt/AP)Read more

WASHINGTON - General manager Paul Holmgren says he will upgrade the Flyers' defense if the right deal comes along. He is running out of time.

The trade deadline is Wednesday at 3 p.m., and the Flyers could use some help on their back end.

Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien, the Islanders' Andrew MacDonald, Buffalo's Christian Ehrhoff, and Dallas' Trevor Daley are among the defensemen reportedly available.

Byfuglien is the most intriguing.

Listed as 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds (though there are reports he is much heavier), Byfuglien is a rare double threat, someone who can play defense or be used as a winger. He has had turnover problems on defense, but he is a crease-clearer - one of the Flyers' big needs - and he has a wicked shot from the point.

There are rumblings that he can be acquired for a roster player and a first-round draft pick. With this year's draft in Philadelphia, the Flyers figure to be reluctant to deal their No. 1 choice in 2014 but might be willing to part with one in future years.

Giroux's big game

Claude Giroux had one of his best games of the season Sunday, leading the Flyers to a 5-4 overtime win in Washington.

"Those games are four-point games," Giroux said after the Flyers stayed ahead of the Capitals in the tightly contested Metropolitan Division.

Giroux, who tied the game with 1 minute, 5 seconds left in regulation, had two goals, an assist, nine shots (five on goal) and won 14 of 21 faceoffs. He leads the Flyers with 21 goals.

Schenn's dominance

Brayden Schenn had a game-high five hits and was again dominant in the faceoff circle, winning six of seven draws. In the last two games, Schenn has won 18 of 21 faceoffs.

Breakaways

After being outshot by a 17-6 first-period margin, the Flyers outshot the Caps, 30-12, the rest of the way. . . . Kimmo Timonen (three assists) played in his 500th game with the Flyers. . . . Washington's Alex Ovechkin, who has an NHL-best 43 goals, was minus-3 for the game. He is minus-21 for the season.