After a way-less-than-ideal start to the 2026-27 season for the Philadelphia Flyers, something has to give before things get better. Oftentimes, that comes in the form of a trade.

Oftentimes, teams make trades to acquire players to make their team better now. Sometimes teams acquire assets to build for the future.

With the Flyers well out of contention as things stand now, Flyers GM Danny Briere will inevitably start getting phone calls, especially about some of the veteran players.

Finding the right trade partner could be hard. But it seems like the Flyers might be able to find one in the basement of the league.

On the 11/9 edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman talked about the Chicago Blackhawks and their interest in reinforcements.

“It’s very clear to me, based on what I’ve heard, that they want to upgrade their roster, and I think they feel that one thing that Bedard absolutely needs is offensive help.”

That coincides with previous Friedman reporting that the Blackhawks will be aggressive on the trade market, with assets such as the Edmonton Oilers’ and Florida Panthers’ 2027 first-round picks, which the Blackhawks have, as well as veteran forwards Jordan Greenway and Teuvo Teravainen.

I don’t think the Flyers would have much interest in Greenway or Teravainen, but could take on the veterans if the Blackhawks were looking to move salary. However, they have plenty of other assets that the Flyers could be interested in.

That said, they have what the Flyers are looking for, and the Flyers could have what the Blackhawks want. The two sides are perfect trade partners.

The Flyers and Blackhawks Would Be Perfect Trade Partners

It’s a well-known fact that the Flyers are missing centers. That’s not just in the NHL, but in the pipeline, too. The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty.

Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff has already mentioned that there could be Flyers’ interest in Blackhawks’ centers Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore. One that was not mentioned was Sacha Boisvert, the former North Dakota and Boston University standout who is now in the AHL.

The Blackhawks used a first-round pick on two-sport star Mason West, who is choosing hockey for the collegiate route. West, a 6’6″ center, is a true boom-or-bust prospect, but the potential is there for certain.

Of course, there is Anton Frondell, but it would be fair to assume that Chicago would hang up the phone if the young Swede’s name is mentioned.

Ryan Roobroeck, Jiri Felcman, and John Mustartd are also forwards who have a history of playing center in the Blackhawks pipeline.

Whether it’s an NHL-ready player or a prospect with potential, the Blackhawks have a lot to offer as far as centers go. That’s along with the fact that they have 3 first-round picks and are willing to trade 2 in this coming draft.

As for what the Flyers can offer as far as scoring help, the obvious direction to look is Owen Tippett. The Flyers still have the logjam at wing, and Tippett provides a sort of offensive spark that the Blackhawks could be looking for.

Tyson Foerster could interest the Blackhawks in this sense as well. However, given the team’s prior unwillingness to trade the young forwards, and his new 8-year deal, he seems like an unlikely option.

There is also the possibility of a young player like Alex Bump or Denver Barkey intriguing Chicago, especially when it comes to conversations about someone like Nazar or Moore – similar young players at a position of need.

Overall, the Blackhawks have what the Flyers want, and the Flyers have what the Blackhawks want. They are perfect trade partners.