The Flyers’ offseason was highlighted by the massive acquisition they almost made rather than any of the moves team completed.
After catching lightning in a bottle last spring and riding that wave all the way to the second round of the playoffs, the Flyers went for broke this offseason — almost literally — by tendering a $90 million offer sheet to budding star Leo Carlsson. While the bold act firmly announced the Flyers’ ambitions and eagerness to become a contender again, it ultimately fell flat as the Anaheim Ducks matched the offer and retained their prized youngster.
Not landing Carlsson means the Flyers’ offseason, at least to this point, has amounted to upgrading the backup goalie spot with Joseph Woll, adding a bottom-pair bruiser in Simon Benoit, and bolstering the fourth line with 34-year-old Noel Acciari. Nice depth adds, sure, but hardly the needle-movers you’d expect for an up-and-coming team looking to build on the momentum from its first non-COVID playoff run in eight years.
Instead, general manager Danny Brière and the Flyers are banking on internal improvements from young players being enough for the Flyers to repeat — or better — last year’s success in what should be an improved Metropolitan Division that already includes the Stanley Cup-winning Carolina Hurricanes. Will that gamble pay off? Here are five players the Flyers will need more from if they are to avoid taking a step back.
1. Matvei Michkov, RW
No surprise here. Michkov will be looking to rebound from a sophomore season that saw him start slow, face public criticism for his conditioning, and clash with coach Rick Tocchet. Michkov’s play was markedly better post-Olympic break — 22 points in 26 games — but he struggled mightily in the playoffs, culminating with him being benched for the Flyers’ playoff finale.
Michkov expressed in May that he wasn’t happy with his season overall and acknowledged that he needed to work harder this summer. To his credit, it appears he’s followed through. He was spotted on the ice in Voorhees the day after exit interviews and participated in a renowned summer training group in Russia with NHL players like Artemi Panarin. He looks considerably leaner based on pictures that have surfaced on social media in recent months.
Panarin, Sergachev, Michkov, Lyubushkin, Kuzmenko, Podkolzin, Khusnutdinov. NHL players are training together under the guidance of Dmitry Yashankin pic.twitter.com/BctASqMF2L
When you consider the 21-year-old finished with 20 goals and 51 points in a down year, with a better offseason of training and added motivation, the sky really seems to be the limit for the Russian winger. Brière, Tocchet, and Co. are expecting a “vengeance tour” from Michkov in 2026-27 as they seek a second consecutive playoff berth.
2. Jamie Drysdale, RHD
After a couple of underwhelming years split between Anaheim and Philadelphia, Drysdale took a major step forward last season and flashed glimpses of the skill set that made him the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 draft. But is there even more meat on the bone?
Drysdale’s biggest progression last season came defensively, as he cleaned up some of his poor habits and became a more reliable defender. He improved his plus-minus from minus-32 to minus-3 and set career highs in average ice time (21:33) and goals (eight), while also equaling his career best of 32 points.
With a sturdier defensive foundation and a new four-year, $26 million contract to boot, the Flyers will hope a more confident Drysdale can take another step offensively and channel his effortless skating and puck-moving ability into increased production. While many expected the Flyers to add a proven power-play quarterback this summer to address the last-ranked unit, the team did not, meaning Drysdale likely will get the first crack at the point. The Flyers will need to click at a much higher rate than 15.7% with the man-advantage if they are to remain a playoff contender, and Drysdale grabbing the PP1 job with both hands would go a long way toward that aim.
3. Porter Martone, RW
After a banner collegiate season at Michigan State, the 2025 first-round pick didn’t miss a beat once he signed with the Flyers on March 29. Martone racked up six goals and 15 points in 19 games (including playoffs) down the stretch and, at 19 years old, was consistently among the Flyers’ most noticeable skaters during the postseason.
While the burgeoning power forward is still just scratching the surface of his immense potential, he showcased the skill set and moxie of a player who looks destined for stardom. The question now will be how quickly Martone can make that leap to become a top-of-the-lineup player and whether that can be as soon as this season.
Rookie Porter Martone, 19, has bona fide star potential and doesn’t seem like someone who gets daunted by the moment.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
The Flyers will be wary of heaping too much pressure too soon on the teenager, but Martone looks to have the broad shoulders and mental makeup to handle it. Given Martone’s pedigree as one of the top prospects in all of hockey — The Athletic ranked him No. 3 — the Flyers see having him for a full 84 games as one of their most obvious avenues toward improvement.
4. Tyson Foerster, LW
Amid Dan Vladař’s breakout season, Trevor Zegras’ resurgence, all the drama surrounding Michkov, and the late-season Martone hype train, it was easy to forget that the Flyers played most of last season without one of their top players in Foerster. To make matters worse, the 24-year-old’s arm injury came right as he looked to be breaking out.
Flyers winger Tyson Foerster missed 39 games last year after injuring his arm on a one-timer in early November.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
With 11 goals in 21 games before his injury, on the heels of nine in nine to conclude 2024-25, Foerster was quietly playing at a 40-goal pace for the first quarter of the 2025-26 season. The Flyers rewarded him handsomely this summer with an eight-year, $56.8 million extension that will keep him in Philly until 2035. Now Foerster, who is also one of the top defensive wingers in the league, will need to prove he can live up to his contract and stay healthy, the latter being something he has struggled with to this point of his career.
Foerster has the shooting release to become a consistent 30-goal scorer in this league and should provide a major boost for an offense that ranked 21st in goals last season. If all breaks right, could he even become the Flyers’ first 40-goal scorer since Jeff Carter in 2009?
5. David Jiříček, RHD
The Flyers are going to need a young blueliner to take a major step forward in 2026-27, and the likeliest candidates are Jiříček and Oliver Bonk. Jiříček, who turns 23 in November, will probably get the first chance, given he is almost two years older and, more importantly, no longer waiver-exempt.
Acquired from Minnesota at last year’s trade deadline for Bobby Brink, the 2022 sixth-overall pick is on his third team and is looking to revive his once-promising career. Blessed with great size at 6-foot-4, puck-handling ability, and a booming shot, Jiříček is a worthy gamble for a Flyers team that lacks a true high-end offensive defenseman in its pipeline. The team can also point to its strong recent track record with reclamation projects like Zegras, Drysdale, and Vladař as a reason for optimism.
The Flyers were patient with Jiříček last season as they sent him to the minors to have him rebuild his defensive game and learn the team’s style of play. Now, he will get a chance in training camp to show he’s made the necessary improvements and is finally ready for a full-time NHL role. Jiříček projected as a power-play quarterback when he entered the league, and given the Flyers’ persistent struggles in that area, he should be another option there given his big shot from the point.
“The potential is high … 21-, 22-year-old, 6-foot-4 defensemen of his caliber are tough to find,” Brière said after acquiring Jiříček in March. “We know we have to work with him. … But that’s why I go back to the Jamie Drysdale learning curve. That gives us hope that he can get on the same track and eventually become a difference-maker for us.”
Long fans of David Jiříček going back to his draft year, the Flyers believe they can get the best out of the toolsy defenseman.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Find yourself debating our 25 under 25 list? Well, maybe this list will help explain some of our reasoning — or give you something else to talk about.
Several athletes, ranging from high school to professional, just missed the cut. Some turned 25 earlier this year, while others were considered but didn’t quite crack the final list.
However, this gives you a glimpse into the name’s to look out for in next year’s 25 under 25. With that being said, here’s our top Philly athletes who missed the list.
Just aged out …
Tyrese Maxey
Since Maxey’s rookie season in 2020-21, he has been on an upward trajectory to becoming the focal point of the 76ers. The point guard was named NBA Most Improved Player and earned his first All-Star selection in 2023-24.
Maxey’s stellar fourth year led to a five-year, $204 million max contract. Lingering injuries derailed his 2024-25 season, but he made up for it last season, when he became the franchise all-time leader in three-pointers, surpassing Allen Iverson.
He also earned his second All-Star nod and was named a starter for the Eastern Conference. Let’s also not forget his highlight moment when he recorded a career-high 54 points to become the second player in Sixers’ history to record at least 50 points and nine assists in a game.
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, 25, is the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Jalen Carter
Carter still has some time to claim the title as best defensive tackle in the NFL, but he has established himself as one of the top players in his position in just four seasons in the league.
Carter received back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2024 and 2025, despite missing time while recovering from shoulder injuries last season. His 2024 season might have been his most productive, as he played 79.4% of the defensive snaps.
Jalyx Hunt
There’s high expectations for Hunt after a record-setting 2025 season, where the edge rusher became the first player in Eagles history to lead the team in sacks (6½) and interceptions (three) in the same season.
As a rookie, he played 23% of defensive snaps, had 21 tackles, and recorded a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX.
Last season, he took quite a leap. He more than doubled his tackles (52) and is now preparing for his third NFL season.
Zegras, another Philly star now on a big contract, signed a four-year, $36.5 million extension, carrying an average annual value of $9.125 million, which made him the highest-paid Flyer in annual average value.
The center quickly became a fan favorite last season, his first with the Flyers. Zegras had a career high in goals (26) and was a key contributor in the Flyers’ postseason run.
Flyers stars Jamie Drysdale (right) and Trevor Zegras didn’t quite make The Inquirer’s 25 Under 25.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Next up …
Jamie Drysdale
In two seasons with the Flyers, Drysdale, 24, developed greatly on the defensive side of the puck and was awarded the team’s most improved player for 2025-26.
He’s dealt with numerous injuries throughout his NHL career, and, despite struggling early on in Philadelphia, the defenseman skated in 78 games while averaging 21 minutes, 33 seconds and a career-high eight goals this past season.
Barlow joined the Sixers last season on a two-way contract, but later had it converted to a standard two-year deal. He jumped right into the action and even became a part-time starter.
Before free agency began, the Sixers picked up his $3.4 million team option for the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old is coming off the best season of his career four-year career, in which he averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He made 59 starts in 71 games.
While his role certainly will change this season, the forward has shown he can be a valuable resource.
Neil Pierre
The 18-year-old homegrown talent signed a professional contract in 2023 with Union II, the club’s reserve team. In 2025, the 6-foot-5 defender signed a first-team contract through the 2028 season, with an option for 2029.
He was named MLS Next Pro Defender of the Year that season, and in January was loaned to Danish first-division side Lyngby Boldklub. He returned to the Union in July and quickly stepped in at centerback. He even scored his first goal in his second career game for the first team.
Aidan Miller is one of the Phillies’ top prospects.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Aidan Miller
Miller is ranked as the Phillies No. 2 prospect and 61st in the MLB. However, the infielder has missed the entire season with recurring lower-back issues.
Last year, however, he was on a tear. Miller had 14 home runs, 42 RBIs, 59 stolen bases, a .264 average, and an .825 OPS across 116 games between double A and triple A.
In June, Miller underwent a radiofrequency ablation of the facet joints in his spine. The Phillies said in July that they expect the 22-year-old to play this season, though he likely won’t reach the majors.
The future …
Jasmine Jackson
Jackson has become one of the nation’s fastest hurdlers at 16 years old. The Winslow Township High junior set several records this spring. She won the New Jersey Meet of Champions with a personal-best 13.28 seconds.
Her time ranks third in state history, No. 3 all-time on the wind-legal list for sophomores, and No. 3 in the nation for the 2026 season. When she was 14 years old, Jackson broke the national record for the 100-meter hurdles in her age group with a time of 13.72 seconds.
Friends Central’s Ryan Carter (right) has been getting Division I scholarship offers since she was in eighth grade.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Ryan Carter
Since eighth grade, Carter has been getting looks by Division I schools and even received several scholarship offers. Now entering her senior year at Friends’ Central, the 6-foot guard is ranked nationally by ESPN as the No. 12 girls’ basketball player in her class.
She spent two years at Penn Charter, playing varsity as an eighth grader, then played a season at Archbishop Wood, where she won a state championship, and will finish her high school career with the Phoenix. She averaged 17.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.8 steals last season.
Carter recently won a gold medal with the United States under-18 national team and has more than 30 college scholarship offers, including from LSU, Duke, and Notre Dame.
Jett Harrison
Harrison, the younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. and son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., is considered ESPN’s No. 6 overall player in the class of 2028. He had 15 receiving touchdowns as a sophomore for St. Joseph’s Prep.
He announced his commitment to Ohio State in July, following in his brother’s footsteps. Recently during Arizona Cardinals’ training camp, Marvin Jr. said, “he’s definitely more talented than I was ever at that age.”
The Flyers’ schedule came out last week, and maybe I’m an exception in this regard, but I did not scan it immediately for games against the Penguins and Rangers and Capitals. My eyes fell on two dates: Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 3. A pair of unmissable matchups against the Flyers’ newest and most hated rivals: the … Anaheim Ducks?
This has been an odd few months, in so many ways, for the Philadelphia sports scene. Think about some of the stories. The A.J. Brown trade watch. The reasons for that trade — i.e. his relationship, such as it was, with Jalen Hurts. The Phillies’ slow start. Their decision to fire Rob Thomson. Their inability to play reasonably intelligent baseball. The Sixers’ comeback over the Celtics. Their embarrassing sweep by the Knicks. Their decisions to fire Daryl Morey and hire Mike Gansey and trade for Jaylen Brown. Their nightly vigil for LeBron James.
But none of those developments, none of them, compares to the sheer weirdness of the rising tensions between the Flyers and their Disneyland-adjacent counterparts. Imagine the Eagles and their fans hating the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Phillies and their fans being obsessed with beating the … Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and you have a sense of just how strange it is that the Ducks have become mallard non grata around here.
It’s one thing to despise Sidney Crosby; the guy is one of the greatest players in hockey history, has won three Stanley Cups, has tormented the Flyers for years, plays exactly the tenacious, win-at-all-costs style that would make him a god if he wore orange and black, and is based just 300 miles west of the Xfinity Mobile Arena. It’s another to despise a franchise that has been in existence for just 33 years, has won just one Stanley Cup (almost 20 years ago), and was named after a children’s movie. But here we are.
The origins of the bad blood are no secret, at least not to anyone who follows the Flyers closely. On Jan. 8, 2024, they traded Cutter Gauthier — the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NHL draft, the prospect who was presumed to be their top goal scorer and franchise centerpiece for the next decade or more — to the Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick. The deal was a shocker, and when Flyers president Keith Jones said during an NBC Sports Philadelphia interview that they traded Gauthier because “he didn’t want to be a Flyer,” Gauthier’s villain status was instantly established.
The public sentiment here, with some exceptions, went from For chrissake, the Flyers let their future get away to Who the hell does that punk think he is? And Drysdale, whom the Flyers recently signed to a four-year contract extension and whom they consider an important member of their corps of defensemen, would forever be compared to the potential superstar the Flyers felt they had to give up.
“The only thing that it does and will continue to do moving forward is just motivate me,” Drysdale said Monday. “I want to be the best player I can for the city, for the team, for the fans, for everything. I know I still have a lot more to give, and that’s exciting for me on my end.”
Things have gotten only more intense since the Gauthier-Drysdale trade. It’s not just that the two franchises consummated another significant trade — and, for the Flyers, a so far highly successful one — 13 months ago, when Anaheim sent Trevor Zegras here for forward Ryan Poehling and two draft picks. It’s not just that the Flyers have beaten the Ducks all four times the clubs have faced each other over the last two seasons. It’s not just that the teams’ last matchup in Philadelphia, a 5-2 Flyers victory on Jan. 6, was loaded with checks and hits that sometimes crossed the line separating clean from dirty.
Cutter Gauthier became an enemy for the Flyers’ fan base after his trade to Anaheim two years ago.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
It’s this: Of all the possible maneuvers and gambits that Flyers general manager Danny Brière could have attempted this offseason to supercharge the team’s push toward Stanley Cup contention, he and his staff decided to target Leo Carlsson, maybe the Ducks’ most important player. On July 3, they sent him to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet, one that would have made Carlsson — 21 years old, nearly a point-per-game player last season, still improving — the highest-paid player in the league.
The Ducks always had the right to match the Flyers’ offer, and as expected, they did, and Brière and the Flyers still have to figure out how to acquire (or somehow develop) a top-line center. A disappointing result, to be sure. But from the Ducks’ perspective, the outcome of the Carlsson situation wasn’t exactly seashells and balloons. Brière made a bold move at Anaheim’s expense, forcing Pat Verbeek, the Ducks’ GM and a notoriously tough and frugal executive, to pay a price that he never would have otherwise chosen to pay to keep Carlsson — who had made it clear he wouldn’t have minded playing somewhere else. Plus, though the NHL’s salary cap is rising and will likely continue to rise for a while, the Carlsson deal promises to limit the Ducks’ ability to add or re-sign other vital players, including Gauthier.
What we have now are two organizations that have squared off in some high-stakes competitions — on the ice, yes, but the boardroom battles between them have been even better. No, this coast-to-coast duel doesn’t immediately call to mind the fear and loathing that Philadelphia fans have had for the Cowboys, the Mets, and the Celtics. Yeah, it feels sort of silly to have a rivalry with a franchise whose spiritual forefathers are Emilio Estevez and the guy who played Pacey on Dawson’s Creek. But if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be … well, you know.
After posting a career-best season, the 24-year-old blueliner signed a four-year, $26 million extension on Friday with a $6.5 million average annual value to stay with the Flyers. According to a team source, the contract comes with very limited trade protections in the final two years, and per Puckpedia, it is a six-team no-trade list in Year 3 and a four-team no-trade list in Year 4.
Drysdale became a restricted free agent on July 1 and filed for salary arbitration July 5, two days after the Flyers tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Leo Carlsson that the Anaheim Ducks matched. Drysdale’s arbitration hearing was scheduled for Monday.
The signing comes two days after the Flyers inked Trevor Zegras to a four-year, $36.5 million contract. Drysdale is now the highest-paid defenseman on the Flyers in AAV. The core of Drysdale, Cam York, and Travis Sanheim is locked up for several seasons, with Sanheim signed through 2030-31 and York’s contract expiring at the same time as Drysdale’s, after the 2029-30 season. The final member of the top-four blueliners, Rasmus Ristolainen, is in the final year of his contract.
“I love it here,” Drysdale said on locker cleanout day. “I’ve made that very clear, kind of the second that I got here. Everyone’s treated me amazingly since I’ve gotten here.”
Acquired for Cutter Gauthier from the Anaheim Ducks in January 2024, alongside a second-round pick that the Flyers eventually used to select forward Jack Murtagh, Drysdale struggled early on to find his footing in Philadelphia. But there’s a reason why his teammates awarded the defenseman the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy in April as the team’s most improved player.
“We’re excited to have Jamie remain a key part of our organization for years to come,” Flyers general manager Danny Brière said in the team’s press release.
“Since we acquired him, Jamie has worked extremely hard and taken big steps in his development, and has established himself as a reliable piece on our back end with the ability to impact the game in all situations. We believe his best hockey is still ahead of him, and he’s going to play an important role in strengthening our blue line as we continue to build.”
After several injury-plagued seasons, Drysdale skated in 78 games this past season, missing three games due to an upper-body injury from a blindside hit in January and the last game of the regular season to rest. It was the most he’s played since skating in 81 during his second NHL season of 2021-22.
He averaged a career-high 21 minutes, 33 seconds per game, set a new mark in goals (eight), and tied his previous best in points (32). According to Natural Stat Trick, the Flyers had a 50.5% goal share with Drysdale on the ice.
“I think I took a few steps this year,” he said. “The biggest step, I think, was just confidence level. That might not be like an actual hockey thing, but I think just coming to the rink and believing that I was a good player and could make an impact. That was probably the biggest kind of shift for me. And I guess that kind of carries all over the ice.”
Maybe that confidence played a role in his biggest improvement: his plus-minus. It still isn’t in the positives, but it jumped from minus-32 in 2024-25 to minus-3 this season.
The Flyers believe defenseman Jamie Drysdale is just scratching the surface of his potential.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
“I saw some guys take a big step, Jamie, especially in the way that he defends,” Sanheim said at locker cleanout day. “It was awesome to see from my point of view, and the way that he may continue to get better and better with more minutes and harder competition. I’m excited to see where his game gets to as we move this thing along.”
In the first postseason action of his career, Drysdale posted two goals, tying him for the team lead with several players, and two assists. His goal in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins was the first playoff goal by a Flyer since Ivan Provorov’s overtime winner against the New York Islanders in Game 6 of the second round of the 2020 bubble.
But the blueliner knows that last season was just one chapter in his hockey story. He’s heading off for the summer to work on his game because, while happy with his season, he thinks he can bring a lot more to the table.
“I think just puck play, to be honest with you, that’s kind of the biggest thing,” he said when asked what he wants to improve on. “With that, obviously, shot, shooting it, things like that.
“And then, just hanging onto pucks, making more plays in the offensive zone. And I think that’s just something that I can work on, something that I will work on. Just taking guys on, maybe more one-on-one, things like that, just making more plays overall is the thing that I’ll focus on and lean into.”
NHL free agency officially opened at noon on Wednesday, meaning the Flyers could begin signing free agents from other teams. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Flyers quickly inked goalie Dan Vladař to a longterm extension, worth $27.5 million over five years.
They also agreed to a two-year deal with Noel Acciari, who is expected to be their fourth-line center.
Before those deals, the Flyers had about $32.7 million in cap space, a number that will drop to around $17 million if the team re-signs Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale as expected.
Defenseman John Carlson and center Dylan Larkin remain among the list of top trade targets for the Flyers.
// Timestamp 07/01/26 5:47pm
Zach Werenski staying in Columbus despite trade speculation
The Flyers won’t be landing Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
After weeks of speculation and a vetoed trade to Dallas, Zach Werenski is staying in Columbus after all.
The Blue Jackets and Werenski released statements Wednesday saying that Werenski wants to stay in Columbus and maintains his desire to win there. The statement including the following:
“The past two seasons have been very challenging ones, but also ones of growth for our team. Our goals from ownership on down and Zach’s goals are the same … to win a Stanley Cup. Our city and our fans deserve nothing less and we are all on the same page working towards that end. Zach has been a very important part of this organization and our community for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier that he will continue to be moving forward.”
Werenski, who won the Norris Trophy last season as the league’s best defenseman, echoed similar sentiments.
“[President of hockey operations Don Waddell] and I have had very open and honest dialogue since the season ended” his statement said. “Ideally, this wouldn’t have become such a public thing but that is the world we live in now and everything got blown out of proportion in my opinion. I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus.
“As I’ve thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what’s to come with our team.”
After signing former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson earlier on Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators have signed two former Flyers farmhands in defenseman Christian Kyrou and center Philip Tomasino.
Kyrou and Tomasino were both in-season additions for the Phantoms and both put up strong numbers in the AHL. The Flyers did not qualify either player by Monday’s deadline.
Flyers add more AHL depth with Jack Studnicka and Cam Dineen
In addition to Zach Aston-Reese and Danila Klimovich, the Flyers announced they have signed AHLers Jack Studnicka and Cam Dineen as they look to fill out their roster in Lehigh Valley.
Studnicka, 27, has bounced back and forth between the NHL and AHL with Boston, Vancouver, San Jose, and last year in Florida. He had 30 points for the Charlotte Checkers last year in 41 games and was held pointless in 19 games with the Panthers. The forward has just 16 points in 126 NHL games but has been a productive American leaguer throughout his career.
The last name Dineen may ring a bell in Philly, but Cam is not related to former Flyers captain Kevin Dineen or Kevin’s father, and former Flyers coach, Bill Dineen. The younger Dineen is 28-year-old defenseman and a native of Toms River, N.J. A former third-round pick, he has played almost 400 games in the AHL.
OFFICIAL: We have agreed to terms with forward Carl Grundstrom on a one-year contract worth an average annual value (AAV) of $1 million. https://t.co/quTjpWlDjw
After weeks of twists and turns, the Darnell Nurse saga has come to a conclusion that will not see him follow in his uncle Donovan McNabb’s footsteps in Philly.
Nurse, who beat the Oilers to the punch by demanding a trade this summer, is headed to San Jose in a trade that will see defensive defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin go the other way. In the end, the Oilers, somewhat miraculously, did not have to retain any of Nurse’s $9.25 million salary.
Sharks are acquiring Darnell Nurse from Edmonton at his full $9.25M cap hit
The Inquirer reported a few weeks back that there was mutual interest between Nurse and the Flyers, but only if the Oilers retained some of Nurse’s salary. In the end, the Oilers found a dance party and the Flyers rightfully walked away from the negotiating table for the 31-year-old blueliner.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (left) already had the Flyers on his shortlist.John Locher
The Flyers have been confirmed as one of three teams rugged defenseman Darnell Nurse would be willing to accept a trade to. But that list could soon grow. With Edmonton yet to find a deal, Sportsnet reports that Nurse could add teams to his list, with San Jose mentioned by Elliotte Friedman.
There is word this afternoon Darnell Nurse has agreed to expand his list of teams he will accept a trade to.
San Jose is one to watch. We will see where it goes.
One potential hang-up with Nurse is salary retention, as the Flyers likely would want Edmonton to pay at least 25-30% of Nurse’s $9.25 million cap hit. That would bring Nurse down to a much more manageable $6.5-7 million player, and make him a more attractive proposition as a second-pair guy. The Flyers also could be waiting things out on the blue line, as they are reportedly still in the mix for Zach Werenski and John Carlsson, and also have a decision to make with Rasmus Ristolainen.
Nurse, 31, is a left-shot who brings toughness and shot suppression to a team’s back end. He also happens to be the nephew of former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.
Flyers add more depth with forward Zach Aston-Reese
The Flyers continued to add organizational depth Wednesday with the signing of NHL veteran Zach Aston-Reese. Aston-Reese’s deal is a two-year one-way/two-way deal, which will see the NHL vet make $850,000 this season.
Zach Aston-Reese. 2 years. Philadelphia Flyers.
Aston-Reese has agreed to terms on a 2-year (yr. 1 – $850k one way. yr. 2 $700/$900k) NHL contract with the Flyers. The orange and black just got another Gold Star ⭐️ #LetsGoFlyers#WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/8OW3hMcB84
Best known for his time with the Penguins, the veteran forward has compiled 49 goals and 102 points in 416 career NHL games. The 31-year-old split last season between the Columbus Blue Jackets and their AHL team in Cleveland, tallying five points in 27 NHL games and another 16 points in 27 AHL contests. Aston-Reese, who can play center or wing. will be expected to compete for an NHL spot in training camp, but seems more likely to be ticketed for an AHL job.
Phantoms’ point leader Lane Pederson heads to L.A.
Flyers farmhand Lane Pederson has found a new home in Los Angeles.
Pederson, who had 23 goals and 48 points to lead the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season, got into five games with the Flyers last season. The first year of Pederson’s deal has a two-way option, but it converts to a one-way in Year 2.
Flyers lock down Tyson Foerster with eight-year extension
Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster isn’t going anywhere for a long time.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
It’s been a rollercoaster start to his career, but Tyson Foerster’s feet are firmly planted in Philly.
On Wednesday, the 24-year-old winger inked an eight-year extension with an average annual value of $7.1 million. According to league sources, it has limited trade protection in Years 3-8, but it does not feature a no-move clause. The contract will start after next season, when Foerster was scheduled to become a restricted free agent.
“We’re excited to have Tyson be a key part of our long-term future,” general managerDanny Brière said in the team’s press release. “He has established himself as an important piece of the foundation we’re building here. Since coming up through our system, he’s continued to improve and develop every step of the way into a consistent offensive contributor while also being a trusted and reliable 200-foot player.
“We have a great deal of confidence in him and believe he’ll play a significant role as we continue building toward a successful team for years to come.”
According to league source, it is a 2-way deal for the #Flyers & Danila Klimovich with a cap hit of $850K in the NHL. Klimovich won 2025 Calder Cup with Abbotsford.
And a fun fact (I know you all ❤️them): teammate of Aleksei Kolosov for Belarus at 2021 Men's World Championship https://t.co/0BJEupnAu8
Former Flyer Luke Schenn is on the move again, as the rugged defenseman is signing with the Vancouver Canucks.
WELCOME BACK, SCHENNER!
General Manager Ryan Johnson announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with defenceman Luke Schenn on a one-year contract worth $2.25M AAV. pic.twitter.com/nGAMVXqgn9
Schenn, 36, played in Philadelphia from 2012-16. The well-traveled defenseman, who has played for 10 NHL teams, will return to Vancouver for the second time.
The move could spell the end for four-time Vezina Trophy winner and U.S. Olympic hero Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg. Rumors have been swirling that Hellebuyck wants out and that Buffalo and Carolina could be potential landing spots.
The Fourth Period reports the Flyers are signing winger Danila Klimovich.
Klimovich, 23, is probably an organizational depth move, as he seems likely to begin the season the Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. The former second-round pick has spent the past five seasons in the Vancouver Canucks organization, playing with AHL affiliate, Abbotsford.
The Belarusian forward had 18 goals and 34 points last season in the AHL, a year after he scored 25 times and helped Abbotsford win the Calder Cup. Klimovich’s time in Vancouver would have overlapped with Flyers coach Rick Tocchet and assistant Yogi Svejkovský.
Flyers center Trevor Zegras and Penguins center Noel Acciari tangle during a game in October.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The Flyers look to have found their new fourth-line center, as Sportsnet reports they have agreed to a two-year contract with Noel Acciari that carries a $2.8 million cap hit.
Acciari, 34, had 13 goals, 25 points, and an impressive plus-14 rating in 67 games this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had one assist in six playoff games against the Flyers, winning 61% of his faceoffs. Known for his face-off ability, nastiness, and penalty killing, Acciari will likely take the spot vacated by Luke Glendening.
In 585 career games with the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Penguins, Acciari has 81 goals and 144 points.
He was a teammate of Owen Tippett’s in Florida and worked with Todd Reirden in Pittsburgh for one season
He was a member of the Bruins’ 2019 Stanley Cup Final team, chipping in with four points in 19 games.
Defenseman Noah Juulsen, who along with Emil Andrae spent most of last season swapping in and out on the third pair, is headed to Colorado. Jackie Spiegel previously reported that he wouldn’t return to the Flyers, but it appears he’s found a landing spot.
Reports: Flyers in the mix for Hurricanes’ John Carlson
John Carlson hasn't closed the door to Carolina, but the Hurricanes couldn't close the deal before noon ET so Carlson's agent Rick Curran now taking calls from other teams as well. I think Tampa Bay and Philadelphia are among them. We'll see where this goes for the No. 1 UFA D.
Former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson signed with Ottawa Wednesday.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson, who was traded twice this offseason, can finally unpack his bags.
Ersson has signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Ottawa Senators, according to Sportsnet. The 26-year-old is expected to back up fellow Swede Linus Ullmark in Ottawa. The Flyers traded Ersson last month alongside Emil Andrae to Toronto in a deal to acquire Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit. The restricted free agent’s negotiating rights were then traded to Ottawa on June 26 for a fifth-round pick.
The New Jersey Devils re-signed center Nico Hischier to a huge five-year deal.George Walker IV
In addition to long-term deals for Dan Vladař and Tyson Foerster, contracts and extensions are rolling in across the league. Here’s a look at what has happened so far:
Former Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas is reportedly signing a six-year contract with the Florida Panthers with an average annual value of $1.5 million. Gudas, whose rights were acquired from Anaheim this week, is the latest veteran Panther to receive one of those stretched out contracts.
The Panthers also have locked up middle-six winger Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year, $40 million extension ($5 million AAV).
Buffalo has reportedly signed newly-acquired smooth-skating defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9 million deal ($3 million AAV). The restricted free agent was someone we mentioned as a potential fit for the Flyers entering the summer.
Montreal locks up budding superstar Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.125 million.
New Jersey has locked in captain Nico Hischier to a massive five-year contract. The Swiss international, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2017 Nolan Patrick draft, is one of the league’s top defensive forwards and now will make $11.7 million-a-year beginning in the 2027-27 season.
Los Angeles has been busy as they have reportedly agreed to deals with veteran forwards Erik Haula (two-year, $3.6 million) and Mats Zuccarello (one-year, $1 million).
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar parlayed his career best season into a longterm deal.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Last July 1, the Flyers surprised many by signing Dan Vladař to a two-year, $6.7 million contract. Vladař then went out and surprised many with his play.
One year later, Vladař is sticking around for the foreseeable future. According to a league source, he is signing a five-year, $27.5 million contract extension with an annual average value of $5.5 million. The contract comes with a no-trade clause for the first two years, followed by a no-movement clause for the remaining three years, with it dwindling from 15 teams to five. Vladař’s contract won’t kick in until the 2027-28 season and will take him through his age 34 season.
The writing had been on the wall for some time that this was happening. Asked about the rumors of an extension, Vladař joked at his end-of-season availability that, while he would accept the phone call for the extension, “If you can ask the same question to Danny Brière, I’m going to be watching. So we’ll see what he says.”
Two days later, the general manager was quick to respond, saying, “I heard his answer. Maybe we wait, and I’ll talk to you guys [off camera] about that.” The extension could not be signed until July 1.
Good morning! Happy Free Agency Frenzy Day to all who celebrate. Here's what we know re: #Flyers
– 4th-line center. 3 names in play, one being Glendening – Add some toughness with Deslauriers and Hathaway gone – Vladar extension coming – Restocking Lehigh Valley – Nurse in mix
Ottawa Senators right winger Claude Giroux (center), defenseman Thomas Chabot (right), and right wing Drake Batherson (left) celebrate a goal.Frank Gunn
With Mavrik Bourque off the board, could the Flyers pivot to a familiar face?
Pierre LeBrun reports that the Flyers have interest in bringing back former captain Claude Giroux.
Giroux, 38, has played the last four seasons for the hometown Ottawa Senators. The Flyers traded Giroux in March of 2022 for a package that included Owen Tippett and a first-round pick.
Giroux, who ranks second in career games (1,000) and points (900) in Flyers history, is still an effective top-six player. Last season, he had 14 goals and 49 points, including 13 points on the power play. While he’s mostly played wing in Ottawa, he’s also still one of the league’s top face-off men (63% last season on almost 800 draws). He also has a strong personal connection to Philadelphia and general manager Danny Brière.
The Flyers were reportedly in the mix for Dallas Stars forward Mavrik Bourque but ultimately lost out to the Nashville Predators. The Preds paid a modest price of second- and third-round picks for the 24-year-old Bourque, who had 20 goals last season. They also took on the final year of defenseman Ilya Lyubuskin’s deal in the trade, which was reportedly a deal-breaker for the Flyers. The Preds will now need to extend Bourque who is a restricted free agent.
For a player of Bourque’s age and upside, one year of eating $3.25 million owed to Lyubushkin doesn’t seem like the end of the world. We’ll see where the Flyers go from here in search of a center.
Stars forward Mavrik Bourque could be on the move as Dallas looks to clear cap space.LM Otero
Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque has been viewed by many around the league as a prime offer-sheet target given Dallas is big-game hunting and has limited cap flexibility.
The threat of that could also lead to a trade, something we suggested in our recent Flyers target list. It sounds like that could be the case, as the Fourth Period is reporting there is some traction on a Bourque trade.
Sounds like there’s some trade traction in Dallas surrounding RFA Mavrik Bourque. We’ll see where this lands, nothing is done yet.
Bourque, who has played mostly wing in the NHL but is a natural center, is coming off a 20-goal season and is a restricted free agent. At 24, and with runway to grow, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Flyers get involved here.
Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski (right) is one of the big fish. Can Danny Brière reel him in?Matt Slocum
Amid a wild offseason marked by trade demands and the dawning of the player empowerment era in the NHL, Norris Trophy-winner Zach Werenski is viewed by many as the ultimate prize.
You can count the Flyers among that group, as according to multiple reports, Danny Brière and Co. are serious about getting involved in the sweepstakes for Columbus’ wantaway defenseman. It’s hard to blame them, as Werenski has averaged 23 goals and 82 points over the past two seasons, ranking in the top three among defensemen in both categories.
The big questions with Werenski are would he entertain a move to Philly and whether the Flyers could pull off a deal without including Porter Martone or Matvei Michkov? The first question seems to be the sticking point, as Werenski, who has a no-move clause, turned down a move to Dallas on Tuesday and seems to be zeroing in on a few specific Eastern Conference destinations, including Tampa Bay and Toronto.
Werenski’s landing spot, even if it isn’t Philadelphia, could have a major impact on the Flyers. The gold medalist ending up in Tampa Bay would eliminate another landing spot for top free-agent defenseman John Carlson and potential increase the Flyers’ chances there. Carolina currently has Carlson’s negotiating rights, but after 12 p.m., the 36-year-old power-play quarterback is free to negotiate with other teams.
Longterm Dan Vladař extension expected once free agency opens
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar had a career year last season.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
All signs are pointing to Dan Vladař signing a five-year extension with an AAV of $5.5 million once deals can officially be announced at noon.
The Czech goalie, who signed a two-year, $6.7 million deal with the Flyers last summer, is coming off a season where he went 29-14-7, with a 2.42 goals-against average and .906 save percentage. It was the lowest GAA of his career and tied his career-best save percentage, although he played in 22 more games than in any prior season.
He was even better in the postseason with a 2.18 GAA, .922 save percentage, and two shutouts after not posting one in the regular season.
These are the Flyers’ top options via free agency or trade
Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque could be an offer sheet option for Philly.Abbie Parr
John Carlson, on a big-money, short-term deal, would make a lot of sense for the Flyers to help with the power play. But do the Flyers make sense for him? He’ll turn 37 during the season, and time is ticking on his chances of winning another Stanley Cup.
Rumors are percolating that the Flyers could add Noel Acciari to the roster. A 5-foot-11 center who just played against the Flyers in the playoffs with the Penguins — he had one assist in the six games — the Rhode Island native would slot onto the fourth line and be a key piece in the faceoff dot as a coveted right-shot, as well as on the penalty kill. Fellow bottom-six center Teddy Blueger is also another name to keep an eye on, as he played for coach Rick Tocchet in Vancouver.
What about offer sheets/trade targets?
As previously mentioned, the Flyers and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse have a mutual interest in one another, with the Flyers, alongside Pittsburgh and Boston, on his short list of teams. He previously requested a trade and would need to waive his no-movement clause to approve any trade destination.
The Flyers are obviously interested in Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets and All-Star center Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. Like Nurse, they would need to approve any trade. And they surely wouldn’t mind adding one of Shane Pinto or Dylan Cozens, two young centers from the Ottawa Senators, to the mix if either was made available via trade.
Now, who doesn’t love an offer sheet? Would the Flyers be willing to partake in the one thing that gets everyone going? To be determined, but if they do, center Mavrik Bourque, 24, might be an attainable target given Dallas’ cap crunch.
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere should have some money to spend, even after he re-signs Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
According to Puckpedia, as of Wednesday, the Flyers have just over $32.68 million of cap space before signing their four restricted free agents. The expectation is that Hunter McDonald will be in the minors to start the year, and Nikita Grebenkin, who was skating on Tuesday at development camp, is working his way back from an injury.
Not counting Grebenkin’s deal, the expected cap space to sign Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale should come in at an approximate annual average value of $15 million combined. That leaves about $17 million, and then subtract $3-4 million to cover Grebenkin and McDonald. So there is some room left to add pieces to the lineup.
Flyers free agents include Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale
Center Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale are both restricted free agents, and the Flyers have extended qualifying offers to both.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
AHL unrestricted free agents: forwards Karsen Dorwart, Oscar Eklind, Brett Harrison, Boris Katchouk, Lane Pederson, Anthony Richard, Tucker Robertson, and Philip Tomasino; defensemen Adam Ginning, Maxence Guenette, Artem Guryev, and Christian Kyrou
Dorwart, Harrison, Robertson, Tomasino, Guryev, and Kyrou were not given qualifying offers on Monday. They could all be signed to a new deal or an AHL-only deal to stay with the club. Garrett Wilson is listed as an unrestricted free agent on Puckpedia, but he is signed to an AHL contract for next season.
A league source has told The Inquirer that Juulsen will not be re-signed.
The Flyers were required to submit qualifying offers to their restricted free agents by 5 p.m. on Monday.
After the deadline, they announced that they did not provide qualifying offers to forwards Philip Tomasino, Brett Harrison, Tucker Robertson, and Karsen Dorwart, and defensemen Artem Guryev and Christian Kyrou. They will now be unrestricted free agents on July 1.
They gave qualifying offers to forwards Trevor Zegras and Nikita Grebenkin, as well as defensemen Jamie Drysdale and Hunter McDonald. Drysdale, Zegras, and McDonald are eligible for arbitration.
According to Puckpedia, Zegras’ qualifying offer is $5.75 million. It is the same amount as his expiring three-year contract signed in 2023 with the Anaheim Ducks. Drysdale is due $2.3 million, the same as the three-year deal he inked with Anaheim in 2023. Grebenkin’s is $850,000, and McDonald’s is $897,750.
In his first season in Philly, Zegras had 26 goals and 67 points — both were career highs — in 81 regular-season games before adding another six points in 10 playoff games. It was his first playoff experience, as it was for Drysdale, who stepped up his game this past season and had a career high in goals (eight) and tied his career high in points (32). He added two goals and four points in 10 playoff games, scoring the first Flyers playoff goal since 2020.
Grebenkin has not played since late March due to an upper-body injury. “Initially, we thought it was going to be something short, and it just never got better,” Flyers general manager Danny Brière said at his end-of-season press conference. “Now we’re looking at different options for him. So he’s the only one that I would say maybe [he’s not ready for training camp], if it doesn’t improve.” Brière did not have an update when speaking to The Inquirer at the start of June at the NHL scouting combine.
McDonald made his NHL debut this season, skating in the season finale, and registered the secondary assist on Oliver Bonk’s first NHL goal. A rugged blueliner, he had six assists in 65 games for the Phantoms.
“Hunter took a big step last year in his development, and that’s why he played that game late in the season,” Brière told The Inquirer in early June. “I think our coaching staff was really impressed [with] how he took a step forward this year. He put in the work and really elevated his game, earned that NHL game at the end, and he was around the team when we played in the playoffs as well.
“Really exciting to see him have growth to his development. It’s a big summer for him, but we’re excited about him. A big, physical defenseman like that is not easy to find, and we hope he’s going to be one of those guys, eventually. But he’s going to have to beat someone at some point to earn those minutes.”
Tomasino was acquired this past season in a swap that sent Egor Zamula to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He potted 12 goals and 41 points in 52 regular-season games between the two teams’ AHL affiliates. A first-round selection of Nashville in 2019, he has 218 NHL games under his belt.
Traded to the Flyers with Jackson Edward for Alexis Gendron and Massimo Rizzo in March, Harrison had two goals and four points in 12 games with Lehigh Valley. Guryev was part of the deal that sent Ryan Ellis’ contract to the San Jose Sharks, and Christian Kyrou was acquired in a one-for-one, with Samu Tuomaala going to the Dallas Stars.
Dorwart was signed out of Michigan State as a college free agent in March 2025. He skated in five games after inking his entry-level contract, making his NHL debut in Montreal. Last season, he had 10 goals and 24 points in 70 games for the Phantoms.
