Oilers trade would land Flyers captain Sean Couturier, but there's a catch

Here's a trade proposal that has Oilers fans talking.

Edmonton would send Ike Howard, Trent Frederic and Jake Walman to the Flyers for captain Sean Couturier and Nick Seeler, with no draft picks involved.

It's not a real report, just an idea floated by New World Oilers on X, and the question attached to it is a good one.

Who says no?

Couturier gives the Oilers a veteran center.

He's 33, wears the C in Philadelphia and played a defensive fourth-line role last season.

His $7.75 million cap hit runs through 2029-30, so this isn't a short rental.

Seeler is also 33. The left-shot defenseman brings a physical, shutdown style and a $2.7 million cap hit through 2027-28.

Edmonton would also move off Frederic, whose eight-year deal has been a lightning rod since he signed it.

Money-wise, it's close to a wash.

Frederic and Walman add up to $10.85 million in cap hits, while Couturier and Seeler total $10.45 million.

Philadelphia made the 2026 playoffs, so giving up its captain and taking on long money is a hard sell.

Frederic has seven years left on his $3.85 million deal after a rough first season in Edmonton, and Walman signed a seven-year deal worth $7 million per season and played only 51 games last year because of injuries.

Howard is the wild card. Edmonton landed him from Tampa Bay in the Sam O'Reilly swap.

The 22-year-old scored 24 goals in 47 AHL games last season and is on a cheap entry-level deal, which makes him the real prize for Philadelphia.

Edmonton gets more flexibility but loses Walman's offense, and Seeler is no replacement for that.

The Flyers have more reasons to hang up the phone.

Still, a fun debate.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Sabres push for blockbuster Connor Hellebuyck trade involving Rangers in three-team deal