The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in familiar territory as the NHL trade deadline approaches: sellers. With another playoff berth looking like a long shot, General Manager Daniel Briere is likely working the phones, gauging interest in his roster players. And one name that keeps popping up in the rumor mill is young forward, Joel Farabee.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli recently declared on the Daily Faceoff that few players need a change of scenery more than Farabee. It’s hard to argue with that assessment. After a promising 22-goal, 50-point campaign last year, the 24-year-old has seen his production plummet. He’s currently on pace for just 12 goals and 28 points – a significant drop-off that has many wondering if his breakout season was a fluke.
Joel Farabee’s Struggles and Torts’ Tough Love
So, what’s behind Farabee’s struggles? Some point to the Flyers’ overall offensive woes and lack of consistent linemates. Others suggest he hasn’t fully recovered from his neck surgery two years ago. But there’s also the elephant in the room: his apparent strained relationship with head coach John Tortorella.
Torts is known for his demanding coaching style, and it seems Farabee hasn’t quite meshed with that approach. He’s often found himself in the coach’s doghouse, with diminished ice time. This tension, combined with the team’s lack of success, has fueled speculation that a trade could be mutually beneficial.
However, moving Farabee won’t be easy. He carries a $5 million cap hit for the next two seasons, a significant commitment for a player who hasn’t consistently lived up to his potential. The Flyers will need to find a team willing to take on that contract and believe they can unlock Farabee’s offensive upside.
Despite the challenges, a change of scenery could be exactly what Farabee needs to reignite his career. A fresh start with a new team and a different system might be the key to him reaching the heights many predicted after his impressive season last year.
It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds in the coming weeks. Will Briere pull the trigger on a Farabee trade? Or will he hold onto the young forward, hoping a bounce-back year is the answer? Stay tuned, Flyers fans, because things are about to get interesting.
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Farabee would be a great fit in Buffalo as he is from upstate NY (near Syracuse)and loved the Sabres growing up!