Phantoms Thoughts on Deadline Day

Taylor Leier could find himself with the Flyers today. Photo: Nina Weiss/The Home News

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Today's NHL Trade deadline could have a serious impact on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' chances of making a push toward the postseason, currently six points out of the final playoff spot. If the Philadelphia Flyers decide to move players from their NHL roster it will directly impact the Phantoms in one of two ways:

The Flyers will move an NHL roster player for draft picks and/or non-pro players and will require a call up from the Phantoms, further depleting the AHL roster.

The Flyers will move an NHL roster player for pro players/prospects and perhaps the Phantoms can add depth for an AHL postseason run.

Which route the Flyers will take remains to be seen, but here's a few things to keep an eye on from a Phantoms perspective:

• Any player on an NHL roster as the trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET is ineligible to play in the AHL the rest of this year. Guys like Andrew MacDonald and Sam Gagner needed to be placed on waivers Sunday at noon in order to be re-assigned to the Phantoms before the trade deadline. Both will finish the season with the Flyers.

• It's possible that guys who don't need to clear waivers in order to be sent to Lehigh Valley - Nick Cousins, Scott Laughton and even Shayne Gostisbehere - could be re-assigned to the Phantoms in nothing more than a paper transaction to allow the Flyers the option of sending those guys to the AHL at some point this season.

• If the Flyers enter a pure sell mode and trade of NHL players for nothing more than picks and prospects, then chances are a guy like Taylor Leier and/or Mark Alt can find themselves in the NHL tonight when the Flyers take on Calgary.

After the jump, thoughts from Taylor Leier on the possibility that he could be joining the Flyers today and Aaron Palushaj on being familiar with being traded on deadline day.

Leier Not Paying Much Attention To Deadline Day

Taylor Leier has been playing stellar hockey lately for the Phantoms. There isn't much doubt that if the Flyers need a forward, he'll be the first one who gets a call. What are his plans for trade deadline day, and how often will he be checking his phone?

I don't know, I don't really pay attention to how that stuff. My dad is here right now, so me and him will probably go out for breakfast and then go to the rink and stretch and just kind of relax. 

That stuff will take care of itself, I'm not going to stress myself over it. It's not going to be something that lingers in my head all day. I'm just going to stick to what I do. I'm with the Phantoms right now, and I'm with this team. I want to help this team make the playoffs.

Palushaj Not Unfamiliar With How Hectic Deadline Day Can Be

Phantoms' forward Aaron Palushaj is no stranger to trade deadline day. Back in 2010 during his rookie season of pro hockey, Palushaj was moved on trade deadline day from the St. Louis Blues organization after 44 AHL games with the Peoria Rivermen to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Matt D'Agostini. Palushaj recalled the event after Sunday's game in Hartford:

We'll see what happens. I've actually been traded before on the deadline. I'll keep my phone on tonight and into tomorrow, so we'll see what happens. As long as I'm here in this organization, we're going to try and make the playoffs.