General manager Chuck Fletcher has made his first trade.
Jordan Weal was dealt to the Coyotes Friday night for a 2019 sixth-round draft pick and defenseman Jacob Graves.
Weal, a 26-year-old center, was a logical trade candidate for the Flyers given he's set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season and was in and out of the lineup.
With the Flyers entering Friday 30th in the NHL at 16-22-2 and 38 points, Fletcher is likely going to sell off some parts to retool and look ahead.
This season, Weal played in 28 of the Flyers' 44 games, posting three goals and six assists.
Weal couldn't find a true role with the Flyers. He was acquired in the January 2016 trade that saw former general manager Ron Hextall unload Vinny Lecavalier and Luke Schenn to the Kings.
Philadelphia Flyers
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers and their rivals in the NHL from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Hextall was a big fan of Weal from their days back in the Kings' organization. After the 5-foot-10, 179-pounder played mostly winger in 2017-18, he was given a shot this season to play third-line center, his natural position.
During his time with the Flyers, he was often the last player off the practice ice, constantly getting in extra work. Unfortunately for Weal, his offensive ability never translated into consistent production and he wasn't exactly a bottom-six style forward, which turned him into a healthy scratch at times and ultimately expendable.
"Jordan cares so much," Hextall said last July. "Sometimes he can be his worst enemy. He's the last guy on the ice every day. He works his tail off. Sometimes you just want to go, 'Jordan, get off the ice and relax a little bit.' He's so driven to be the best he can be. It's something he can get better at, in terms of the mental part of it where sometimes you've got to let things go.
"When he gets on a roll, he's a good player."
Graves, a 23-year-old blueliner, has been playing in the ECHL this season for the Norfolk Admirals. The 23-year-old had seven points in 32 games.
He will report to the Flyers' ECHL affiliate the Reading Royals.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.
