Flyers' affinity for June 23rd deals continues over four-year span

June 23 is not a vibrant day in human history. Last year at this time, Nik Wallenda was tight rope-walking across the Grand Canyon. It's a date that's been dotted with various global wars and uprisings. It's June Carter Cash's birthday.

Most years in the Delaware Valley, it's just another warm, possibly humid afternoon, followed by a Phillies game. But since 2011, it's been the day the Flyers' brass exchanged ominous glances and then nodded.

After logging a goal and an assist in a second-round playoff loss to the Bruins in 2011, Mike Richards found himself suddenly demoted from "Flyers team captain" to "being on another team." The deal that sent him quite jarringly to Los Angeles got the Flyers Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn.

Moments later, Jeff Carter followed him out of town to Columbus, in exchange for Jakub Voracek and two draft picks, one of which was Sean Couturier.

Exactly one year later, James van Riemsdyk was sent to Toronto to complete the Flyers' mission to acquire most of the Schenn family, getting Luke for JVR.

And two years to the day after that, we have Scott Hartnell swapped out for R.J. Umberger.

Oof.

Some experts are saying this deal alone does not really make sense, and that another tandem deal may be in the works. June 23 could be getting even more distinct.

Take that, the First Battle of Uji.