The Flyers have had a glaring, long-standing weakness on the Power Play. It’s been one of the worst in the NHL for several seasons running, and it carried over into 2025-26 despite roster changes and a new coaching staff.

2025-26 Performance

• The Flyers finished with a Power Play percentage around 15.7% (37 goals on 235 opportunities), ranking near the bottom of the league (32nd or close to it).
• Still well below the league average, while team searched fir consistency.
• In the playoffs, it was a major issue (e.g., 0-for-5 in a key loss to the Hurricanes, with short-handed goals against).

This has been a multi-year problem. Over the last several seasons combined, the Flyers have had the league’s worst (or near-worst) PP efficiency.

Key Factors and Personnel

Talent on paper — The roster includes skilled offensive players who should help:

• Travis Konecny (team leader in points)
• Trevor Zegras (strong playmaker)
• Matvei Michkov
• Owen Tippett
• Defensemen like Cam York and others who have PP upside.

Why it fails

Common complaints include stale/dated schemes, too much perimeter play and static setups, slow zone entries, lack of net-front presence or quick puck movement, and poor shot quality/volume. It often looks predictable and easy to defend.

The orange and black also need more talent, and this offseason was one way to obtain it. They need a viable 1C that can move the puck, and win key draws, coupled with a Power Play Quarterback on the back end. Unfortunately, It appears the Flyers will get neither of them.

New Head Coach Rick Tocchet (and assistants like Jaroslav Svejkovsky) were brought in partly to fix this, drawing from his Vancouver success, but results were mixed in year one.

Outlook

The Flyers made the playoffs in 2025-26 (43-27-12 record) but the PP remains a clear hole that caps their ceiling. Offseason moves, better integration of young talent, and tactical tweaks (more speed, net presence, creativity) will be priorities. It’s a fixable issue with the right adjustments—many teams have turned it around quickly—but history shows it’s been stubborn in Philly.

Look for more if the same old, bad Power Play numbers for the 2026-27 season.

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The Flyers announced today they have agreed to terms with forwards Jack Studnicka, Danila Klimovich, Zach Aston-Reese, and defenseman Cam Dineen, according to General Manager Daniel Briere.

All will play for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, all but may Auston-Reece. Reece signed an NHL deal with the Flyers, so they would have to use waivers to move him to Lehigh, when that time arises.

The Flyers appear to be done for the day, only if, a deal can be made for former Flyer Claude Girouux or Free Agent John Carlson.

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The Flyers have signed forward Noel Acciari to a two-year contract.

According to the Flyers, it’s a two-year, $5.6 million deal with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.8 million. Acciari becomes an unrestricted free agent after his three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins expired. He has played in 71 career playoff games.

Key Details:

• Age: 34 (born Dec. 1, 1991)
• Position: Center/right wing, known as a physical, shutdown bottom-six forward and strong penalty killer.
• 2025-26 Stats (with PIT): 25 points (13G, 12A) in 67 games, plus-14 rating. He also had one assist in six playoff games vs. the Flyers. x.com
• Background: Previously played for the Penguins (2023-26), Maple Leafs, Blues, Panthers, and Bruins. He’s a veteran depth player valued for toughness, faceoffs, and defensive reliability.

This move adds veteran grit to the Flyers’ bottom six after facing him in the playoffs. It’s an early free agency addition on July 1, 2026.

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Tyson Foerster has re-signed with the Flyers.

“We’re excited to have Tyson be a key part of our long-term future,” Flyers’ General Manager Daniel Briere said today. “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.”

The Flyers have re-signed him to a $7.1 million AAV ($56.8 million total value). This was expected to be announced around noon ET on July 1, 2026.

Quick Context:

• Foerster was coming off his previous 2-year bridge deal (signed May 2025, $3.75M AAV / $7.5M total), which he earned after a strong breakout showing (including 25 goals in a prior season and solid production like 13 goals in 29 games recently). nhl.com
• This long-term deal locks in a young, promising winger for the Flyers as they continue building the roster. He remains a key part of their forward group.

It’s a big commitment from General Manager Danny Briere to secure homegrown talent. Flyers fans should be excited about the stability on the wing.

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Shane Vansaghi and his Michigan State teammates regularly watched Porter Martone play for the Flyers.

Porter Martone, a highly touted first-round pick (6th overall in 2025) by the Flyers, signed his entry-level contract in late March 2026 and quickly joined the NHL roster. Martone had a strong rookie impact, including scoring his first NHL goal in overtime.

Vansaghi (a Flyers second-round pick in 2025, 48th overall) played alongside Martone at Michigan State during the 2025-26 season. In recent interviews (around late June 2026), Vansaghi shared that the team followed Martone’s running the NHL closely:

“I believed in him. I knew he could do it. When he did make the jump, we were watching [him] play everyday, and root for him. We were all so happy to see him have that success.” – Shane Vansaghi, Martone’s teammate at Michigan State

Teammates gathered to watch Flyers games together, rooting for their former linemate. Both are part of the Flyers’ promising young group—Martone is already contributing at the NHL level, while Vansaghi continues developing at Michigan State as a physical, energetic forward.

This reflects the strong bond from their college time and excitement around the Flyers’ prospect pipeline.

Nikita Grebenkin and a new number

Grebenkin at yesterday, rehabbing from his most recent undisclosed injury. He may have a new number, Jett Luchanko’a old number 17. Our great photographer! Michael Reaves was at Developmental Camp on day two, and he captured a great shot of Grebenkin. The number 17 can be seen on his helmet, as opposed to 29:

Jett Luchanko

Luchanko has sustained a “Lower Body Injury”, but he plans to hit the ice next week. This is the second year in a row he will miss the on-ice portion of Developmental Camp due to injury, and remember he sustained a broken jaw in the playoffs this past season.

The good news is Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, and Porter Martone are having great camps, as expected. All three are becoming leaders, as they continue to impress the Flyers, top brass

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The 2026 NHL free agency period opens today (July 1) at noon ET, but it’s widely viewed as one of the weakest classes in recent memory. Many expected top targets signed extensions or were traded beforehand, leaving limited high-impact options. The Flyers enter with flexibility but will likely focus more on internal extensions, depth additions, and trades than big splashes.

Cap Situation and Key Internal Priorities

The Flyers have substantial cap space—roughly $34 million projected for 2026-27 (depending on exact figures and bonuses). This gives them room to maneuver, but much of it will go toward pending RFA’s.

• Trevor Zegras (RFA, C, age 25): Career-high 67 points in 2025-26. A bridge or longer-term deal is expected; he’s a key piece after being acquired via trade.
• Jamie Drysdale (RFA, D, age 24): Solid offensive production (32 points). Re-signing him stabilizes the blue line.
• Other RFA’s like Hunter McDonald are also in the mix, but Zegras and Drysdale are the priorities. .

President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones noted that some planned targets were already off the board due to early signings/trades, so the team will explore trades, offer sheets, and value additions (Leon Draisaitl fur instance).

Notable Free Agents and Fits for the Flyers

The UFA class lacks stars, so expect short-term, cost-effective deals rather than long-term commitments.

Forwards:

• Vladimir Tarasenko (RW, age 34): Scored 23 goals/47 points in 75 games with Minnesota. Short-term deal possible as a veteran mentor (especially for young Russian Matvei Michkov) and secondary scorer/PP contributor. Fits a crowded wing group on a low-cost, short pact.
• Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton: Both are emotional reunion appeals. Still productive and strong on faceoffs. Could provide center depth on a 1–2 year deal.
• Noel Acciari (C): Center depth option, a nice defensive forward.

Other names like Patrick Kane or lower-end depth (e.g., Ross Johnston for toughness) could surface, but the Flyers prioritize fit over big names.

Defensemen:

• John Carlson (RD, age 36): Strong interest rumored. Veteran right-shot D who can run a PP. Short-term top-4 fit makes sense if cap/role works, but Carolina acquired his rights (potential sign-and-trade) and Tampa Bay is also in play. Flyers could be a fallback if he hits the market.

Trade Market Outlook

Free agency alone won’t transform the roster. Expect Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere to be active on the trade front:

• Centers (e.g., interest in Ottawa’s Shane Pinto or Dylan Cozens).
• Potential defensemen like Zach Werenski or Darnell Nurse (with retention).
• Other pieces to address PP or add size/upside (e.g., Mavrik Bourque, (Although the Flyers would most likely have to go the offer sheet route).

The team made the playoffs in 2025-26 (lost in second round) and is in a “build intelligently” phase with young talent (Matvei Michkov, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, etc.). Briere has emphasized patience alongside targeted improvements.

Overall Strategy:

Re-sign core RFA’s, add veteran depth/mentorship on short deals (Tarasenko, possibly Laughton/Acciari or Carlson), and use trades/cap space for upgrades—especially at center and on the blue line/PP.

Don’t expect a massive overhaul; this is about complementing a young, improving core. Keep an eye on signings today and any trade dominoes (e.g., Werenski/Carlson).

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The Flyers have re-signed forward Carl Grundström to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Key Details:

• Reported by: Darren Dreger and Jamey Baskow
• Previous context: Grundström was acquired by the Flyers from the San Jose Sharks in October 2025 (along with prospect Artem Guryev) in exchange for Ryan Ellis and a conditional 2026 6th-round pick. He played on a $1.8M cap hit last season.
• 2025-26 performance: He recorded 14 points (9G, 5A) in 50 games (including postseason play), providing bottom-six energy, physicality, and hustle.

This is a low-cost, depth signing that brings back a player who fit well in Philly’s system. It could also signal moves for other roster spots (e.g., potential departure of veterans like Luke Glendening).

Solid, no-frills addition for the Flyers’ bottom six heading into the 2026-27 season.

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Isaiah, Chef, and Dan are joined by Jason Myrtetus (Flyers Broadcast Network, @jasonmyrt on X) to break down the Flyers’ 2026 NHL Draft class. The panel evaluates each of the team’s selections, discusses the organization’s overall draft strategy, and compares the Flyers’ approach with the rest of the league.

The discussion then shifts to one of the NHL’s biggest offseason storylines: the growing number of star players becoming available through trades. As elite talent increasingly changes teams, the panel examines whether the Flyers missed an opportunity to strengthen their future trade arsenal by selecting several prospects viewed as longer-term projects rather than consensus first-round talent. Would a more “chalk” approach have produced prospects with greater league-wide value as trade chips, even if the Flyers believed they had higher ceilings? It’s a debate that could shape the organization’s ability to pursue elite NHL talent in the years ahead.

The show also covers the expected re-signing of Goaltender Dan Vladar, qualifying offers to the Flyers’ restricted free agents, highlights from Prospect Development Camp, and the latest offseason developments surrounding the organization.

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Porter Martone and Denver Barkey (along with Alex Bump) are attending the Flyers’ 2026 Developmental Camp as more experienced prospects/NHL players, and both have explicitly talked about stepping up as leaders for the younger players.

Key Quotes from Developmental Camp

• Porter Martone: He mentioned wanting to “be a leader,” show the younger prospects what it means to play for the Flyers, and noted how valuable it is to be back in Philly despite already playing NHL games. He and Barkey (plus Bump) decided together to attend after Danny Briere asked them.
• Denver Barkey: He echoed the sentiment, saying he’s there to “Be a leader. Learning what it means to be a Flyer now. Help out here, be a leader, help them to see what it means to be a Flyer.”

This fits the Flyers’ approach of having veterans/prospects like these three mentor the next wave during camp. Martone in particular has drawn attention for his leadership potential and comments about wearing a letter in the future.

It’s a positive sign for the organization’s culture and development as they continue their rebuild. Anything specific you want more details on (roster, scrimmages, other prospects, etc.)?

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The NHL deadline for teams to extend qualifying offers (QOs) to their Restricted Free Agents (RFA’s) was today, and the Flyers did extend qualifying offers to four of their RFA’s.

The Flyers were expected to qualify their key RFA’s to retain exclusive negotiating rights (and matching rights if another team makes an offer sheet). Flyers’ General Manager Daniel Briere has publicly indicated strong interest in keeping core young players.

Flyers RFA’s that were Qualified, per PuckPedia

Trevor Zegras
Nikita Grebenkin
Jamie Drysdale
Hunter McDonald

Teams don’t always qualify every RFA (they sometimes let lower-priority ones walk as UFA’s to free up cap space or roster spots), hence what transpired today.

They did not qualify the following RFA’s, per PuckPedia:

• Karsen Dorwart
• Christian Kyrou
• Tucker Robertson
• Brett Harrison
• Artem Guryev
• Phil Tomasino

These six players now become free agents.

Timeline Notes

• Deadline: Qualifying offers due by 5 p.m. ET today (June 29).
• Free agency opens: Noon ET on July 1.
• QO’s allow the Flyers to match any external offers and keep RFA status. They typically expire around July 15 unless extended.

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