Panthers Interest in Flyers More Focused Toward Braun Than Giroux?

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ALLENTOWN, Pa. - While the focus of Inside AHL Hockey is the ability of our team of league-credentialed reporters and photographers to provide our readers with extensive, first-hand content from those on-site actively covering American Hockey League (AHL) teams on a regular basis, every time the calendar nears the trade deadline the interest temporarily becomes...

"Who's scouting who's teams prospects in the AHL, what does it mean and how does it line up with recent rumors?"

I, first and foremost, am not claiming to be some major "insider" when it comes to the NHL trade deadline and trade rumors. But after 10 years of traveling to AHL rinks up and down the east coast, with a trip to the west coast sprinkled in, I've certainly talked to my fair share of player agents, scouts, development staffs, coaching staffs, management staffs etc.

One of the benefits of expanding your own personal 'hockey rolodex' is that when those within the game respect your work and dedication to the craft they'll more often than not politely tell you when you're off-base and possibly even steer you more in the right direction.

As I'm sure many are aware at this point - especially those who follow our coverage here closely! - of our initial first-report confirming that the Flyers had Danny Briere, special assistant to the GM, as well as one of their pro scouts at this past Wednesday night's AHL game in Hershey between the Bears (WSH) and Charlotte Checkers (FLA/SEA).

READ ALSO: Flyers Have Two Reps At Mid-Week AHL Game

That development certainly added fuel to the fire in regards to rumors that perhaps the Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers were doing their respective 'homework' prior to entering any trade negotiations.

Of course the big name is Claude Giroux, but one source told Inside AHL Hockey prior to the weekend, "I would assume the Flyers were watching Charlotte in regards to a [Justin] Braun trade not [Giroux]."

The Florida Panthers alleged need of depth on defense, coupled with their placing of defenseman Olli Juolevi on waivers over the weekend - and his subsequent claim by Detroit - could be something to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches.

I had someone contact me suggesting the Flyers might be interested in Panthers prospect forward Grigori Denisenko, who is currently on the AHL Charlotte roster, but I find that hard to believe considering Denisenko has been out of action with an injury since January 12. So Briere wasn't scouting him Wednesday night in Hershey.

Who Could It Be?

In terms of Florida prospects of interest on Charlotte's active roster, there is goaltender Spencer Knight and forwards Logan Hutsko, Serron Noel, Cole Schwindt and Owen Tippett.

The Phantoms are playing the Checkers this weekend in a pair of games, with Charlotte defeating Lehigh Valley 5-2 while Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher and Briere were in attendance at the Phantoms' home rink of PPL Center Friday night.

Never say never, but I'm not sure Spencer Knight makes any sense in any potential Justin Braun trade with the Flyers.

Hutsko, also 23, is the Panthers' 2018-3rd round pick (89th overall). A first-year pro having some success in the AHL coming out of Boston College, Hutsko tallied a goal against the Phantoms Friday night and has 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 52 games this season.

Noel, 21, is the Panthers' 2nd round selection (34th overall) in his first full season in the AHL after appearing eight games (one goal, three assists) with Syracuse in a split-affiliation between Tampa Bay and Florida in 2020-21. A bigger, more physical forward standing at 6-5, 205 pounds, Noel can move well for his size and, to me, is kind of in the same mold as current Phantoms' forward Isaac Ratcliffe. Noel has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 47 games with the Checkers this season.

Schwindt, 20,  is the Panthers' 3rd round pick in 2019. After not having a place to play with the OHL and his Mississauga team inactive due to COVID restrictions last season, Schwindt appeared in 10 AHL games (one goal, one assist) in Syracuse in that same split affiliation between Tampa Bay and Florida as Noel. This season, Schwindt - who also tallied a goal for Charlotte against the Phantoms Friday - has 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 52 games this season in addition to his NHL debut with the Panthers back on December 16 against the Los Angeles Kings.

Tippett, 23, is the 10th overall pick of the 2017 Draft and has 13 goals and 19 assists in his first 87 NHL contests, but finds himself in the AHL with Charlotte - posting eight points (one goal, seven assists) in seven AHL games this season since being sent down on February 23.

I'm no expert on trade value of NHL players, but if the perceived value of Braun is a mid-round pick? Perhaps the Flyers will go with an already drafted mid-round prospect versus a draft choice.

Of course, Tippett is the player likely with the highest ceiling of the three forwards mentioned above. Word is the Panthers don't feel he's reached his full potential yet, which is why he's playing top minutes in the AHL versus playing a limited role or being in and out of the lineup at the NHL level.

I'm not sure Florida is going to give up on a young, top-10 pick for a rental defenseman, but it's no secret that he's been made available.

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