The Philadelphia Flyers made a roster altering move Thursday night. Trading away former 1st round picks Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost.
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Flyers fans have been asking GM Danny Briere to do something in the trade market to jolt the rebuild.
Thursday night, Briere made his first big move as the Flyers GM. Sending shock waves through the press box and stands during the Flyers 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders.
In a deal with the Calgary Flames, the Flyers sent out forwards Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. In return, received Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier from the Flames.
Also apart of the deal, the Flyers received two draft picks – 2025 2nd round pick and 2028 7th round pick.
TRADE ALERT: We’ve acquired forwards Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier, a 2025 2nd round pick and a 2028 7th round pick from Calgary in exchange for forwards Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost. https://t.co/l8graUmhlE
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 31, 2025
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Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost were 1st round draft picks by the Flyers. Both coming on picks from the 2017 draft day trade of Bradyen Schenn to St Louis.
Farabee and Frost were both in need of a reset and a new home to jump restart their careers. Both will now get a fresh start in Calgary.
Over the past few seasons in Philadelphia, both have had their fair of run-ins with head coach John Tortorella. Leading to both being healthy scratches multiple times.
While the pair were a big part of the locker room, it was time to move on for the Flyers. Something that was becoming clearer over the past few weeks as the two were not seen as part of Flyers future plans.
Farabee played in 384 games with the Flyers. Finishing with 90 goals and 111 assists.
Frost played in 278 games with the Flyers. Finishing with 50 goals and 85 assists.
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Andrei Kuzmenko comes to Philadelphia in his second trade in the past 365 days.
After signing with Vancouver in 2022 out of the KHL, Kuzmenko had a rookie season to remember. Scoring 39 goals and 35 assists in his first NHL season.
But, struggled last season to find the same form as his rookie season. Which lead to a mid season trade – a year to the date January 31st, 2024 – as the headline piece going to Calgary in the Elias Lindholm trade.
Kuzmenko did finish with 22 goals and 24 assists in 72 games combined between Vancouver and Calgary. Finishing his season strong after the trade with 14 goals and 11 assists in Calgary.
This season, he is once again is struggling to find his form from the past two seasons. Has just 4 goals and 11 assists so far this season.
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Jakob Pelletier was also in need of a change of scenery. One that now will come in Philadelphia.
A former 1st round pick – 26th overall in 2019 by the Flames – has struggled to find his role on the Flames roster. Leading to extended time in the AHL and even being waived to start the season.
Pelletier is on the smaller side – listed at just 5’9″. But, his motor and energy are two of his biggest attributes. Two things that will fit well in John Tortorella’s system,
In 61 career games, he has 8 goals and 13 assists. So far this season, he has 4 goals and 7 assists.
PHOTO CREDIT: Len Redkoles – Getty Images
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