The Philadelphia Flyers tried hard to get the first overall pick from the Florida Panthers last week to take defenseman Aaron Ekblad but balked at giving up tough-nosed, sure-handed winger Wayne Simmonds in the deal. That's the word from Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal, who said Simmonds may be as close to untouchable as there is on the Flyers' roster. Matheson said the Flyers likely were pitching winger Matt Read, and maybe defenseman Luke Schenn or Braydon Coburn in the proposed deal, and the feeling was Florida would have to take Vinny Lecavalier's contract in some form. Panthers defenseman Erik Gubranson would have come back Philly's way, Matheson said.