It appears that the Philadelphia Flyers have been trying to get a defenseman other than Jamie Drysdale in exchange for forward Cutter Gauthier.
Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania club sent the fifth player selected in the 2022 draft to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 21-year-old rearguard and a second-round pick in the 2025 auction. The Flyers explained that they are sending the young player Americans would have swapped because he had signaled to them that he did not want to be part of their organization.
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In the latest edition of his podcast 32 Thoughts, journalist Elliotte Friedman suggested that Flyers general manager Daniel Brière wanted to acquire Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram in exchange for Gauthier.
Sportsnet's hockey expert added that he believes the Avs wanted to get more than just the 19-year-old forward for their player.
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Byram, 22, is a left-handed hitter who was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 draft. In 130 games of NHL experience, he has 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points.
For his part, Drysdale was the sixth player selected during the 2020 auction. He collected eight goals and 38 assists for 46 points in 124 games on the Bettman circuit.