Source: Flyers would like to get in mix for Yandle

PITTSBURGH – While Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are likely not in play for a rights trade at the NHL draft, one player who could be traded outright is Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle.

 

Coyotes general manager Don Maloney is canvassing offers for Yandle. A source told CSNPhilly.com on Friday night that the Flyers would like to get in on him, but so would the Detroit Red Wings and other teams.

 

One of the Flyers’ greatest needs this summer is shoring up their defense, given that Chris Pronger is not expected to play next season because of post-concussion syndrome.

 

Yandle is just 25 years old, stands at 6-foot-2, 195 pounds and has four years left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $5.25 million.

Late Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins appeared to enter the mix for Yandle at the last minute. A report from Chris Stevenson suggested the Pens were interested in the defenseman. But ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported that, while the two teams did make a deal, Yandle was not included.

Instead, Pittsburgh sent Zbynek Michalek to Phoenix in exchange for prospect Harrison Ruopp, the 81st-overall pick (third round) of this year's draft and goaltender Marc Cheverie, LeBrun tweeted.

And so, any deal involving Yandle will wait another day.

 

The Flyers remain in the mix for Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan, but this same source said that the price is very steep – Brayden Schenn or Sean Couturier, plus James van Riemsdyk. The Flyers, for the moment, aren’t willing to part with either Schenn or Couturier.

Sarah Baicker contributed to this report.