New Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher wanted more grit and toughness on his team at the deadline, so he traded a 5^th round pick in 2021 to the Montreal Canadiens for Nate Thompson, and Kyle Criscuolo and a 2020 4^th round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for Derek Grant. Both Thompson and Grant are expected to become unrestricted free agents on July 1^st.

As a 35-year old with 11 NHL career seasons in our database, Nate Thompson has a career AB score of -1.21. Five of Thompson’s last six NHL seasons played have resulted in positive individual AB scores, and he is coming off three consecutive positive years. In 64 games played this season, Thompson has scored 4 goals and registered 10 assists for 14 points. Thompson’s penalty taken/drawn ratio is somewhat below average at 8:1, but his giveaway/takeaway ratio is an impressive 28:23. Thompson is currently a respectable -3 on the season and threw 103 hits in his time with the Canadiens this season. Under Claude Julien this season in Montreal, Thompson is averaging 23 fewer seconds of ice time than his previous career average of 13:11. Derek Grant, at 29-years of age, has a career AB score of -3.16 over a 4-year period. His penalty taken/drawn ratio is slightly better than Thompson’s at 8:4, and also has an impressive giveaway/takeaway ratio at 11:15. In 50 games played this season, Grant has scored 14 goals and registered 6 assists for 20 points. Grant is also a respectable -1 on the season and threw 44 hits during his time with the Ducks this season. Under new coach Dallas Eakins in Anaheim, Grant averaged almost two and a half minutes more than his average career ice time of 11:20 per game.

The two made their debuts for the Flyers on Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks, as they won 4-2 to maintain their lead in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference. In the game, Derek Grant contributed 3 hits and a blocked shot but took a penalty. Grant also won 60% of his faceoffs in his 12:38 of ice time. Nate Thompson contributed 2 hits, and a blocked shot of his own, and also registered a takeaway. Thompson won 40% of his faceoffs in his 12:44 of ice time.

The Flyers currently sit with a record of 36-20-7 with 79 points in 63 games, which is good for 3^rd place in a crowded Metropolitan Division. They trail the division-leading Washington Capitals by five points, without having any games in hand. Philadelphia has won four in a row and is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. They will look to continue that streak tomorrow night against the surging New York Rangers, who are 8-2-0 in their last 10. More to come.