Trevor Zegras’s presser yesterday focused on the new deal, his fit in Philly, positional flexibility, team outlook, and his mental health/Shoulder.

On the contract and negotiations:

• “I think we went back and forth on uh like a couple different ideas for term and I think four years just kind of seemed like a good sweet spot for what both sides wanted to get out of it, and I’m very excited that that’s what we could do.”
• On avoiding arbitration: “I don’t think anybody wants to go to arbitration, so it was really nice that we were able to get something done before then.”
• On the process vs. his prior (Anaheim) negotiations: “I think the biggest difference was that there was a set time and date that it had to be done by… whereas last time there was it was just whenever it gets done, which was hard. It’s harder mentally when you don’t really see the finish line… Danny and Jonesy and everybody… were just like very classy… they’re just good people. So, it definitely helps.”

Why Philly has been a great fit:

• “I think I just had a lot of fun being at the rink and being around the guys. It’s not often or I find it lucky to be surrounded by so many amazing people… from like the guys to the coaching staff, to Danny and Jonesy, Dan Hilferty, the owner. I found that it was just a very good situation for me mentally, and it was a lot of fun on the ice, too.”

On position (Center vs. Wing):

• “I feel pretty comfortable in both spots, whether it’s in the middle or on the Wing, so wherever they need me to play, I’m more than comfortable in both spots. I thought playing Center in the playoffs was definitely something that gave me a lot of confidence, so I think wherever they need me, I’m good to go.”
• On improving faceoffs: “I think some of it starts in the gym and just getting bigger and stronger. But I think a lot of it was reps and repetition… taking a ton of face offs… just picking up on little things… So, we’ll try and definitely be better than I was last year.”

On the team and expectations:

• “I think we’re in a great spot. I think that was kind of just the beginning last year, and I think we got a lot of confidence as a group… how we all kind of came together… to win a round. I think it was great for what we’re trying to build, and hopefully we pick up where we left off.”

On his Shoulder Check Showcase:

• “It’s awesome. This is our fourth year doing it and I feel like uh each year it’s just getting bigger and bigger… something that means a lot to me… the message is good because it’s something as hockey players and athletes we can all kind of relate to… checking in on each other and you never know what somebody’s going through on a day-to-day basis.”

Zegras came across as relaxed, appreciative of the organization, and optimistic. Hopefully, this leads to a big 2026-27 season for Zegras and the Flyers.

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Jamie Drysdale will make more money on his new deal, than Travis Sanheim. One main reason for such is he was better in his contract year than Sanheim was in his contract season.

Current Contracts

• Travis Sanheim: Signed an 8-year, $50M extension in 2022 with a $6.25M AAV. This runs through 2030-31, and it’s a team friendly deal.
• Jamie Drysdale: Just signed a 4-year extension at $6.5M AAV (announced around July 17, 2026). It starts in 2026-27 and runs through 2029-30. His previous deal was a 3-year, $2.3M AAV bridge contract that ended after 2025-26.

Drysdale’s new cap hit is slightly higher than Sanheim’s. it’s on a “similar scale” to Sanheim’s deal and represents good value for a young top 4 Defenseman.

Contract Year Performance:

Drysdale did have a strong contract year, showing clear improvement:

• Career-high 8 goals and matched a previous high of 32 points.
• Handled 20+ minutes per night as a more well-rounded middle-pairing D.
• Took a “substantial leap” this past season.

Sanheim Contract Year

He performed well enough to earn an 8-year, $50M extension (AAV $6.25M) signed in October 2022.

2021-22 Regular Season Stats (Contract Year)

• Games Played (GP): 80
• Goals (G): 7
• Assists (A): 24
• Points (PTS): 31
• Plus/Minus (+/-): +9
• TOI/GP: ~22:58
• Shots: 123
• PIM: 34

Sanheim remained a steady top-pairing defenseman at times, but was a bit more inconsistent, as well. In the end, Both he and Drysdale are key parts of the Flyers’ blueline alongside players like Cam York.

Drysdale’s raise reflects his age (24, with more upside) and that strong 2025-26 showing, while Sanheim’s longer-term deal (signed earlier at age 26) is locked in at a very team-friendly number under today’s higher salary cap. Both deals are viewed as solid value for Philadelphia.

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The 2026-27 NHL season features an expanded 84-game regular season (the first since the early 1990’s).

Key Dates

• Training Camp: Opens Thursday, September 17, 2026.
• Pre-season (shortened to 4 games due to the longer regular season): Announced June 22, 2026. nhl.com
  • Mon, Sept 21: at Washington Capitals (Giant Center)
  • Tue, Sept 22: at Boston Bruins, 7:00 PM ET.
  • Thu, Sept 24: vs. Boston Bruins, 7:00 PM ET.
  • Sat, Sept 26: vs. Washington Capitals, 5:00 PM ET.
• Regular Season Opener: Wednesday September 30, 2026 — vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (home) at 7:30 PM ET. This is the earliest regular-season start in franchise history and kicks off the Battle of Pennsylvania.

Structure Notes

• 84 games total (more divisional play overall).
• 12 Back to Backs
• One 5 game road trip
• 5 game home-stand
• Play the Vancouver Canucks on Black Friday at home
• All-Star Break February 4th-12th
• Play each team in the Metropolitan Division four times
• First four of six games to start the season are on the road
• The Flyers play the Anaheim Ducks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

The season is right around the corner—training camp starts in about two months from now. Let’s go Flyers.

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Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere made a pitch to Leo Carlsson, and it became null and void after The Anaheim Ducks matched the Flyers offer.

However, the Orange and black are still big game hunting for a player that instantly moves the needle. Who might that be? Our guys from Gettin Gritty Wit It break it all down on this episode.

Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere has spoken positively about Jamie Drysdale multiple times since acquiring him in the January 2024 trade for Cutter Gauthier, praising his talent, character, work ethic, and potential.

This extension (along with one for Trevor Zegras) locks in young talent at a combined $15.525M AAV, which Briere and observers view as strong value after Drysdale’s career-best play.

“We’re excited to have Jamie remain a key part of our organization for years to come,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said. “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.

Brière continues, “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.”

Overall, Briere has consistently viewed Drysdale as a high-upside, character player whose best years are ahead, especially once healthy and fully integrated into the Flyers’ system. Drysdale has developed into a solid contributor on the blue line since the trade.

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Jamie Drysdale has re-signed with the Flyers today. It’s a new four-year deal, worth an AAV $6.5 million per year.

I can confirm that Jamie Drysdale has a limited NTC in 2028-29 and 2029-30:

2028-29: 6 team no trade list

2029-30: 4 team no trade list

Current Status

• His previous contract (3 years, $6.9M / $2.3M AAV, signed with Anaheim) expired after the 2025-26 season.
• He filed for salary arbitration (hearing scheduled for July 20), but the Flyers and Drysdale could still negotiate a deal before then.

Background

Drysdale had a strong 2025-26 season with the Flyers after being acquired from the Ducks in the Cutter Gauthier trade (Jan 2024). He posted career highs with 8 goals and 32 points in 78 games, plus solid defensive improvements and playoff experience.

Recent Updates

• Trevor Zegras (another ex-Duck RFA) appears to have signed first.
• Flyers GM Daniel Brière has expressed commitment to bringing Drysdale back.
• The team still has notable cap space available. @JameyBaskow

This is great singing for the orange and black, just days away from his arbitration hearing.

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In early July 2026, Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere tendered a massive five-year, $90 million offer sheet ($18M AAV) to the young star Center Leo Carlsson. This was a bold, rare move in the NHL to land a potential No. 1 Center. The Ducks ultimately matched it, so Carlsson stayed in Anaheim (at that huge new cap hit), and the Flyers gave up nothing in compensation.

Why “A target on the Flyers’ backs”?

• The offer sheet disrupted the Ducks’ plans and inflated contract values league-wide for young stars. It made other GMs take notice (and some weren’t happy).
• Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman commented that Briere and the Flyers will now be “a target” for other teams’ offer sheets or aggressive plays in the future. Teams like Carolina protect their own RFA’s carefully after using similar tactics; Philly will need to do the same for players like Matvei Michkov when the time comes.
• Briere did confirm or acknowledge the Flyers will be targeted for making this offer to Carlsson, “The answer is yes, but I can’t give details exactly. It was noticed around the league, but I hope it was noticed by our fans and our players that we are serious…about giving the best chance to be a contender.”

Briere addressed the outcome in a statement, emphasizing the team’s commitment to building a contender without mortgaging the future. The move cost them nothing and showed willingness to swing big in a quiet offseason.

It’s generated a lot of talk about whether Briere will try another offer sheet (e.g., on players like Adam Fantilli), but many think this was more of a one-off due to the backlash and cap realities.

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In the context of the Flyers’ aggressive (and ultimately matched) five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks RFA Leo Carlsson — which would have made the young center the NHL’s highest-paid player at an $18M AAV — Elliotte Friedman noted on his 32 Thoughts podcast that Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere had put a “target” on his (and the Flyers’) back with other NHL GM’s throughout the league. Other executives might now be more inclined to come after Philadelphia’s own players in response.

Danny Briere responded to hat today, in his virtual zoom presser with the media, following the Trevor Zegras re-signing:

• “It was noticed around the league, but I hope it was noticed by our fans and our players that we are serious…about giving the best chance to be a contender.” – Danny Briere

Background on the Situation

• The Flyers tendered the offer sheet in early July 2026. The Ducks matched it, so Philadelphia kept its draft picks (they would have owed Anaheim four first-rounders otherwise) but didn’t land Carlsson.
• Briere had previously released a team statement: “We understood this outcome was possible when we made the offer. While the result isn’t what we hoped for, our goal does not change,” emphasizing the team’s commitment to improving without mortgaging the future.
• The move was seen as a bold signal of the Flyers’ seriousness in their contention window, even if it ruffled feathers league-wide and raised Carlsson’s price for Anaheim.

Briere’s point seems to be that while the league may view the Flyers as more aggressive (and thus more vulnerable to retaliation via future offer sheets or harder negotiations), the internal message to fans and players is more important: Philadelphia is willing to push boundaries to build a winner.

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Trevor Zegras has re-signed with the Philadelphia Flyers on a 4-year, $36.5 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $9.125 million.

hockeybuzz.comThis deal, reported on July 16, 2026, avoids salary arbitration (his hearing was scheduled soon after) and locks him in through his prime years.

“We’re thrilled to have Trevor committed to our organization for the next four years,” Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere said. “The growth he showed this past season, proving that he is the skilled player he entered the league as, reinforced our belief that he will be an impact player for the Flyers for the years to come. He’s the type of player who can help take our team to the next level, and we’re excited to continue building alongside him.”

Quick Context:

• Previous contract: 3 years at $5.75M AAV (expired after 2025-26 season).
• 2025-26 performance (with Flyers, after trade from Anaheim): 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games, plus playoff contributions. This marked a strong rebound and career-high production.
• The higher AAV likely reflects market inflation from recent high-end offer sheets (e.g., Flyers’ own on Leo Carlsson) and rising salaries for young offensive talent.

It’s viewed as a solid commitment for the Flyers to retain a key offensive piece who has thrived in Philadelphia. Fans and analysts are largely positive, though some note the cap hit is hefty.

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The NHL is expanding the regular season to 84 games per team (from 82), adding two extra divisional games. This will be the first 84-game season in the modern era, with the full schedule release today (July 16, 2026) after opening night matchups were announced on July 15.

Key Flyers Details:

• Home opener/season opener: The Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 30, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). This is a rematch from their 2026 first-round playoff series.
• The Flyers record all-time in their home opener is 33-18-5-2, and the last few seasons they have opened on the road.

This is a strong rivalry matchup to kick off the longer season at home—exciting for Flyers fans! The preseason schedule is already out (mostly late September), but the regular season starts late September.

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