I get the idea of targeting TB and VGK, but wouldn't the idea behind helping a cap-strapped team by bailing them out be to add some assets? You're giving away more than you are getting in that vegas trade, and the team on the ice isn't any better for it really. Unless your plan here is to have the 1 year stop gaps coming in as to not sign UFA players and block youth from coming up, then I get it. But still, don't bail out Vegas and Tampa and have nothing to show for it...get some higher draft picks or something

Tampa trading a 3rd while eating some salary on Callahan for a 7th is probably the best you could hope for. It's unlikely they really eat any salary and give up a 3rd round pick. The Flyers could use Callahan's leadership and veteran depth presence following a few years with VDV, Varone, Bailey, or Corban Knight's in the role.

As for the Vegas deal - Eakin isn't really a cap dump. He produced 20 goals is signed for less than $4 million with 1 year left on his deal. The Flyers would need to make a good offer for him. Taking Reaves helps a little bit but even he has value that many teams in the league would like to have even if he is overpaid for his role. Again it's only for 1 year.

I would also have you look at the total of the moves: Players Acquired: Eakin, Reaves, Callahan, Schaller Assets traded: 2019 7th round pick 2020 2nd round pick 2020 4th rd pick (from NSH), and Schlemko.
No long-term commitments were made. The only asset given up that hurts is a 2nd round pick. But I would be interested in retaining Eakin and Reaves beyond the 1 year on reasonable contracts.

Worst case 1 season of time is purchased where the prospects have a difficult time making the team and the team has no excuses for missing the playoffs. They also have the right kind of pieces to make some noise in the playoffs too.

I'm just saying why would we want to retain Eakin and Reaves for millions against the cap past this season when we have better players on ELCs who need roles in the NHL? You'd rather extend Cody Eakin than see Morgan Frost?

First, I'm not sure they're better players. It's part of what is nice about a deal like this. Get players with no term and see what your prospects do for another year at a higher level. I don't care if Frost or Farabee make the team in camp but I'd like to see them push onto the team by the end of the year.

As for re-signing them, Reaves is a 4th line wing. He's not taking a prospect's job since the prospect isn't in competition for 4th line work. For the right cost, he's a great fit for the Flyers. His currently salary is an overpay.

Eakin is a player I'd like to see play here and see how well he fits in before signing him. I like that he is a center and can move to wing. Frost might be a wing in the NHL. He was a wing for Canada at the WJC's so that might be an indicator of where he'll play at the highest level. Eakin would likely be re-signed right around where he's at so for what he brings and how he can fit anywhere in the lineup it's not a bad deal. I don't see how he blocks anyone either. I also like that Eakin would be a tradeable asset if the team needed to move him.