NHL Trade Rumors: Could the Philadelphia Flyers Target New York's Mark Streit?

As most hockey fans already know, Chris Pronger will not be playing for the remainder of the season, and will most likely miss the playoffs as well. Even if Pronger can somehow get healthy before the playoffs, it's safe to say that the Flyers aren't going to sit around and wait. They need to make a move, and they know it.

Since the news that Pronger would be shut down for the season broke, there's been tons of speculation as to who the Flyers might try to acquire in his place. After all, it's just a matter of time before they snatch somebody up.

The most popular among Philly fans seems to be Nashville's Shea Weber, who most feel would be the perfect fit to replace Pronger now and for the future. While I'm sure the Flyers are considering it, it remains to be seen whether or not the Predators are even willing to move him. He's a restricted free agent at season's end, so there's no guarantee that he even signs with Philly after the season. On top of that, he'll likely command a hefty salary, something the Flyers will have a tough time figuring out.

That said, plenty of other names that have popped up in recent weeks. One of the more intriguing names is that of Mark Streit, defenseman for the New York Islanders. 

Mark Streit may not be one of the "bigger name" defenseman most Philly fans want to see, but his talents are sorely underrated. He's been one of the better defenseman in the league for a few years now, yet his name often seems to fly under the radar. Most of that can probably be contributed to the team he plays for, as the New York Islanders haven't exactly been a playoff contender in recent years.

Personally, I believe Streit would be a great fit in Philly. He's a tough, physical defenseman who can still put up points. He won't light the lamp every night, but he's a great set-up guy and he's got a great shot. If he played for a more offensively aggressive team like the Flyers, his numbers would surely rise.

Right now, Mark has two goals and 14 assists on the season, which may not be all that impressive, but he's a guy that Philly fans would love to see. He'd instantly become a fan favorite in my opinion, and he would fit well with Philadelphia. 

Quite possibly the biggest challenge for Philly would be fitting him and his $4.1 million salary under the cap for the next two seasons. They could get some cap relief by placing Chris Pronger on LTIR, but they may still have to move salary elsewhere.

Another thing to note is his age. He's 34 and he isn't getting any younger. Are the Flyers looking for a more long-term solution? Or are they sticking to their "win now" game plan? It remains to be seen. 

New York would be a great trade partner with Philadelphia, as they could certainly use more scoring power, something the Flyers have an abundance of. The Flyers may not have to give up an arm and a leg to acquire Streit, so they wouldn't have to tear apart the roster.

So what do you guys think? Would Mark Streit be a welcomed addition to the Flyers?

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