Inside the Flyers: Hextall hamstrung at NHL trade deadline

Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds doesn't want first-year general manager Ron Hextall to make any deals before the 3 p.m. trade deadline Monday.

Truth be told, Hextall can't make any major moves unless he unloads some hefty salaries because the Flyers are close to the $69 million salary-cap limit.

"I like the team we have," Simmonds said. "We've been playing pretty well. . . . Everyone likes each other, and if we can succeed, as is, I think that would be great. But I'm not the general manager, and I can't say what goes on."

The Flyers, crippled by a 9-17-6 road record, have 19 games left and are six points behind Boston for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Bruins, who are also trying to hold off Florida, have a game in hand.

Unlike GMs on many other teams, Hextall finds his hands are tied in the trade market because former general manager Paul Holmgren left him cap-strapped with some dubious signings. Hextall will not be able to make a significant deal unless he trades a player with a large cap hit, such as veteran defenseman Braydon Coburn ($4.5 million).

The Flyers have about $2 million in cap space.

Simmonds thinks the Flyers, as they are currently constructed, have the ability to sneak into the playoffs.

"Everyone is starting to play well at the exact same time," he said. "We've become a much more responsible team on the defensive end, and I think that's really key. We know we can score goals, but we have to be really dedicated to [defense]."

While the defense has improved, the offense has sputtered lately. In their last four losses - suffered against also-rans Columbus, Buffalo, Carolina, and Toronto - the Flyers have been outscored, 9-4, at even strength.

Before they can be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, the Flyers need another high-scoring winger and a No. 1 defenseman. Hextall will have to be patient before those desires are filled. Down the road, Travis Sanheim, Sam Morin, and Shayne Gostisbehere could anchor the defense, but it will take lots of growing pains. And until some cap space is cleared, Hextall can't really pursue a marquee winger in a trade or through free agency.

Dealing Coburn and/or Nick Grossmann seemed like it would start the cap-clearing process and open a spot for one of the young prospects next season. The Flyers would like to stockpile draft picks, and they started the process by dealing defenseman Kimmo Timonen to Chicago on Friday for a second-round selection in June's draft and a conditional 2016 pick that could be as a high as a second-rounder.

But things became complicated Saturday when Grossmann, who could help a contender, was injured blocking a shot against the Rangers. His status won't be known until Monday, but the question is: Would a contender take a risk on a player who may have a head injury?

Coburn, who could be a replacement for the injured Mark Giordano in Calgary, and Grossmann have been traded before and claim they aren't concerned about the deadline-day developments.

"That's the business side of things and you can't worry about it," Coburn said last week.

Grossmann agreed.

"Like I said before to you guys, it's out of my control," he said Sunday. "I'm not going to waste energy on that. I'll focus on what I can do."

Simmonds, who besides being the Flyers' top goal scorer is a die-hard hockey fan, said he will be watching developments closely Monday.

"I'll definitely be on my phone and on my computer, searching around and seeing what's going on," he said.

There will be a flurry of moves around the league Monday, and the Flyers hope to be part of things and land a few more draft picks/prospects that will speed up the rebuilding process.

@BroadStBull