Philadelphia Flyers Trade Rumors: 7 Players Who Should Be on Their Radar

With the NHL season nearing its end, it's time for fans to start thinking about the availability of certain players through trades. 

Whether a player is planted in a sticky situation with a team or he just doesn't fit, teams everywhere are breaking down potential trades that could better their respective clubs. 

The Philadelphia Flyers face a few questions heading into next season: Will Chris Pronger be healthy? Is Jeff Carter worth keeping at his current salary? Who will be the starting goalie? How can we strengthen the blue line?

These are the types of questions that are most apparent to me. 

As of right now, the Flyers have the highest payroll in the NHL at $58,969,155. According to CapGeek.com, there are reports that the salary cap could increase to $62.2 million for the 2011-2012 season. If true, the Flyers will be given a lot more wiggle room to work with. 

In writing this article, I am taking the original salary cap into consideration and will hopefully provide some creative ways to fill the most obvious holes. 

David Booth, Forward, Florida Panthers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 27: David Booth #10 of the Florida Panthers handles the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on March 27, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins defeated the Panthers 2-1 in a shootout. (Photo by Just

I was always a huge David Booth advocate. Being the best player on the Florida Panthers' roster, Booth has the experience in leading a team and being a playmaker when those around him can't.

Although that wouldn't be the case in Philadelphia, Booth could be the guy who steps up when others slump. 

Who could the Flyers trade for Booth? Jeff Carter.

Florida has the lowest payroll in the NHL and is able to accommodate a player with the cap hit of Jeff Carter. In 2011, Carter will have a $5,272,727 cap hit while Booth brings a $4,250,000 hit. 

Booth will be a considerable downgrade in talent, but for a cash-strapped Flyers team with a ton of centers, it would be a good deal. 

Nick Leddy, Defense, Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 19: Jannik Hansen #36 of the Vancouver Canucks controls the puck under pressure from Nick Leddy #8 of the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Ce

Since emerging in the 2010-2011 season, 20-year-old defenseman Nick Leddy has shown signs of greatness. The upside in this player is endless. He skates well and has great hockey instincts. 

The Blackhawks will be reluctant to trade away a promising young defenseman, but for the Flyers, this is worth looking into. It doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Leddy is also very cheap, with a $1,116,666 cap hit for the final year of his contract. 

Pekka Rinne, Goaltender, Nashville Predators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 30: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks watches goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators make a glove save during the second period in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Pl

If the Flyers can't find success in solving goaltending issues through free agency, it would be worthwhile to look at Pekka Rinne as a solution. At 28-years-old, Rinne played a pivotal role for the Predators in their valiant playoff effort. 

Ilya Bryzgalov will be expensive and could demand double the price of Rinne. Rinne has a $3,400,000 cap hit with two seasons left on his contract.

In two seasons, Rinne will be 30 and I don't know if the Predators would be willing to fork over big money to an aging goaltender when they have promising, young goalie Anders Lindback waiting to take over the reins in the pipes. 

This deal is a long-shot, but if offered the right package, the Predators may bite. 

John Carlson, Defense, Washington Capitals

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 03: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete Times Forum on May 3, 2011 in Tampa

John Carlson is a young, emerging star at the defense position; that is enough reason to convince me that the Capitals will try to hold on to him. 

The little bit of unknown that lingers with young prospects is what makes them easier to get than established stars. Carlson could be terrible in a few years or he could be great. Nobody knows. 

Based on his rookie season, I believe he's a keeper. Would the Caps trade a promising star to a rival like the Flyers? Who knows. 

Zach Parise, Forward, RFA

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 02: Zach Parise #9 of the New Jersey Devils waits for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadians at the Prudential Center on April 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Sure, Parise is not a "trade" target, but he should certainly be some sort of target for the Flyers. Before his injury this past season, Parise was one of the top players in the NHL and, at just 26 years of age, I'm willing to bet that he has a ton left to give. 

The addition of Parise would significantly boost each line for the Flyers. He's a fast-and-hungry playmaker. 

He's valuable to the New Jersey Devils, so I can see them pursuing a new contract hard. It will take a lot from the Flyers to impress Parise. 

Martin Hanzal, Forward, Phoenix Coyotes

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DETROIT, MI - APRIL 16: Martin Hanzal #11 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates against the Detroit Red Wings in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena on April 16, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Pho

Think of Martin Hanzal as the Dan Carcillo replacement who can actually win a lot more fights. Hanzal is a young enforcer who is quick to come to the aid of his teammates.

He's a big player with a cheap price tag ($1.8 million cap hit).

This certainly would not be a sexy move, but Hanzal could serve as a valid replacement for, like I said above, Dan Carcillo or even Jody Shelley.

Curtis Glencross, Forward, Calgary Flames

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 10: Curtis Glencross #20 of the Calgary Flames skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Flames 3-0. (Photo by Christia

The only way to describe Glencross is that he's a "solid" hockey player. He'll come out, give you 15-plus goals, 20-plus assists per season and keep his mouth shut.

The Flames just re-signed Glencross so they would more than likely want to keep him, but if they are willing to listen to offers, the Flyers should seriously consider this move.