Trade Between the Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers Officially Completed After Condition Met

The Colorado Avalanche acquired the Philadelphia Flyers' defenseman Sean Walker in a trade back in March 2024, prior to that year's trade deadline.

The Flyers received veteran forward Ryan Johansen and a conditionally protected 2025 NHL Draft first-round pick in return. The trade also involved a 2026 fifth-round pick that was sent by the Flyers to the Avalanche.

The first-round pick came with the condition that if Colorado's 2025 pick fell within the top 10, they would keep it and, in lieu thereof, send their 2026 first-round draft choice to Philadelphia.

However, with the Avalanche having locked up a 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff berth, there is finally no chance of their first-rounder being in the top 10 this year.

What that implies is that the pick will indeed change hands and be going to Philadelphia, giving the Flyers one additional first-round pick in this summer's draft, an amazing building block to keep rebuilding.

Last offseason, Walker, 30, signed a five-year, $18,000,000 contract with a cap hit of $3,600,000 per season, currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Walker has accumulated 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 78 games this season and offers an experienced two-way play to the Hurricanes.

Originally signed by the Kings as an undrafted free agent on July 2, 2018, Walker compiled 111 points in his 391 career NHL games to date and has 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games under his belt, but remains without a point in those.