Top Landing Spots for Flyers Defenseman Sean Walker amid NHL Trade Rumors

Before this season, Sean Walker was unknown to most hockey fans other than followers of the Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers.

A six-year NHL veteran, the 29-year-old began his career in 2018-19 with the Kings, spending five seasons in Los Angeles. Traded last summer to the Flyers, he was paired with Nick Seeler, providing the club with much-needed blue line depth as a second pairing. They've played a key role in the Flyers' improvement this season.

Walker's defensive skills, puck-moving abilities and gritty hard-working style have endeared him to Flyers fans. It's also drawn attention around the league from contenders seeking an experienced right-shot blueliner, turning him into a frequent fixture in this season's NHL rumor mill.

With the Flyers holding a playoff berth in the Metropolitan Division, it seems unlikely that they would part with Walker. However, management is keeping an eye on the future and is believed to be listening to offers on pending free agents such as Walker. It's one reason we've included him in our updated NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Walker is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He's in the final season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $2.7 million. His performance this season puts him in line for a significant pay raise in the $4 million range on his next contract.

Factor in the Flyers' acquisition last month of skilled young right-shot defenseman Jamie Drysdale, and Walker could be traded for the right offer.

Here's a look at five teams that could be landing spots for Walker and what it might cost to acquire him. Feel free to express your views on this topic in our app comments below.

Jockeying with the Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division, the Dallas Stars hope to take the next step toward Stanley Cup contention after reaching the Western Conference Final last season. They could be among the suitors for Walker to bolster their blue-line depth.

The level of skill on the right side of the Stars' defense corps drops sharply beyond blue-line workhorse Miro Heiskanen. On Feb. 5, Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News reported Jani Hakanpää and Nils Lundkvist have been among their defensive liabilities at times. Walker could fill the second-line defense pairing role on the right side.

Walker's affordable cap hit could also fit within the Stars' limited projected trade deadline cap space of $1.9 million, especially if the Flyers are willing to retain part of his cap hit. If recently sidelined winger Evgenii Dadonov (lower-body fracture) ends up on long-term injury reserve, it'll give them an additional $2.3 million to work with.

The Flyers could seek the Stars' first-round pick in this year's draft or a second-rounder plus a prospect. They could try to pry away a top prospect such as Logan Stankoven, Mavrik Bourque or Lian Bichsel, but those three are probably untouchable.

Coming off a franchise-record 112-point performance in 2022-23, the New Jersey Devils faced heightened expectations this season that they're struggling to meet. They're battling to remain in contention for a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils needed another experienced, skilled right-shot defenseman prior to Dougie Hamilton suffering a torn pectoral muscle on Dec. 1. The promising Simon Nemec has done well while filling in for Hamilton, who's on long-term injury reserve for the remainder of the regular season.

Still, the Devils could use someone like Walker to provide some defensive stability, especially on the penalty kill. With Nemec filling the first-pairing role in Hamilton's absence and John Marino on the second pairing, Walker could fit into the third-pairing spot. With Hamilton on LTIR, they have $9.4 million in projected trade deadline cap space.

The Devils have their first-round pick in this year's draft but not a second-rounder. If they don't want to move that first-rounder, they could offer up their 2025 second-round pick along with a prospect. Don't expect them to part with Nemec or the promising Seamus Casey.

The once-mighty Tampa Bay Lightning have been in decline since last season, as years of salary-cap limitations have depleted their roster depth. Nevertheless, they remain in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois could be on the lookout for defensive depth after blueliner Mikhail Sergachev was sidelined indefinitely earlier this month with a fractured left leg. Walker could be on his radar in the trade market.

Walker wouldn't replace Sergachev's puck-moving abilities, but his experience and defensive skills could help the Lightning bolster the right side of their defense corps. They have a projected $7.6 million in cap room to acquire Walker after putting Sergachev and his $8.5 million average annual value on long-term injury reserve.

The Lightning lack first-round picks in 2024 and 2025 as well as a second-rounder in this year's draft. They might be willing to part with their 2025 second-rounder as part of the return for Walker. The Flyers could ask for a prospect such as forward Ethan Gauthier or right-shot defenseman Jack Thompson.

It seems like the Toronto Maples Leafs always need a right-side defenseman. This season is no different with offseason acquisition John Klingberg sidelined by season-ending hip surgery. Veteran T.J. Brodie has been struggling, and they're in need of experienced depth on the right side of their blue line.

With the Leafs holding a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference, they're at risk of sliding out of contention if they don't tighten up their defensive game. Walker's skills and feisty style could be a good fit in Toronto.

Even with over $17 million worth of salaries on long-term injury reserve, Toronto has limited projected trade deadline cap space. Even if the Flyers agreed to retain half of Walker's $2.7 million cap hit, the Leafs would have to shed some salary to take him on and leave sufficient room for other moves if necessary.

The Leafs have their 2024 first-round pick but no second-rounders through 2026. If they won't part with their first-rounder, they'll have to offer up a good young prospect perhaps bundled with a young player such as 25-year-old defenseman Conor Timmins. The Flyers could try to squeeze them for a prospect such as Topi Niemelä or Fraser Minten.

No NHL general manager has been busier in this season's trade market than Patrik Allvin of the Vancouver Canucks. He's made five trades since the start of the regular season, including acquiring defenseman Nikita Zadorov and center Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames in two separate deals roughly two months apart.

Allvin might not be done dealing before the March 8 trade deadline. With his Canucks perched atop the overall standings, he could load up for a run at the Stanley Cup this season.

The Canucks GM could consider pursuing Walker to provide additional depth on the right side of his defense corps, either on the second or third pairing. They don't have very much projected trade deadline cap room, which could mean shedding some salary via trades or demotions to the minors even if the Flyers retain half of Walker's $2.7 million cap hit.

Lacking first- and second-round picks in this year's draft, the Canucks could offer up a first or second-rounder in the 2025 draft for Walker. They won't part with 2024 World Juniors MVP winger Jonathan Lekkerimäki or defenseman Tom Wallinder. Perhaps the Flyers would be interested in a prospect like winger Vasili Podkolzin or center Aatu Räty.

Stats and standings via NHL.com, salary info and line combinations via CapFriendly, and prospect info via The Athletic.