Nolan Foote signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Flyers. The deal carries an AAV/cap hit of $850,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 in the AHL. It was first reported on July 3, 2026 (by PuckPedia and confirmed by me), and the Flyers officially announced it today, August 19, 2026.

Foote, a 25-year-old left-shot winger (6’3, 201 lbs, born November 29, 2000), was a first-round pick (27th overall) by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. He previously played for the New Jersey Devils organization and spent the 2025-26 season with the Florida Panthers (One goal in 12 NHL games) and their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers (14 goals, 18 assists, 32 points in 54 games). Foote is also the brother of Cal Foote, who was involved in the most recent Hockey Canada Case.

His career NHL totals stand at 10 points (Seven goals, Three assists) in 42 games played. He has stronger AHL production (161 points in 245 games) and is the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote (and brother of Cal Foote). He is expected to compete for a roster spot in Training Camp, but is most likely to begin the 2026-27 season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, as organizational depth/call-up depth.

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The Flyers re-signed Restricted Free Agent Defenseman Hunter McDonald to a two-year, two-way/one-way contract on August 18, 2026, with an average annual value (AAV)/cap hit of $912,500 (total value $1.825 million).

Key details:

• Year 1 (2026-27) is a two-way deal (NHL salary around $900K; minors salary lower, with some guaranteed money reported).
• Year 2 (2027-28) is a one-way deal (NHL rate regardless of where he plays).
• He was the Flyers’ last remaining RFA to sign this offseason.

McDonald (born May 11, 2002; 6’4, 238 pounds, left-shot) is a stay-at-home, physical Defenseman and the Flyers’ 2022 sixth-round pick (165th overall).

In 2025-26 he recorded six assists and 92 PIM in 65 AHL games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, then made his NHL debut in the season finale vs. Montreal on April 14, 2026 (One assist, +3). Career AHL totals: 27 points (4G-23A) in 147 games played.

McDonald is expected to compete for an NHL roster spot at Training Camp while remaining a depth/prospect option who can also play in the AHL.

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Join hosts Isaiah and Chef as they welcome Lyle Richardson of SpectorsHockey.net for Part 1 of their annual Around the League episode. The panel reviews 16 teams alphabetically, breaking down each club’s key additions and subtractions and assessing their outlook for the upcoming NHL season.

Also in this episode, Isaiah and Chef catch you up on the latest Flyers news, including Jack Berglund’s return to the SHL, Nikita Grebenkin signing a two-year deal, the positive impressions Carter Amico made at the WJSS, expectations for Matvei Michkov following his rigorous offseason training, key upcoming dates on the Flyers’ early-season calendar, and more.

University of Pennsylvania’s Class of 23 Ice Rink played host again this year to the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp. This annual event is a chance for players to live like a pro for the weekend. This year’s camp was broken up into three teams. The teams are coached by Flyers alumni leading up to a championship game which was played on Monday morning. Proceeds from the camp go to support Flyers Alumni charities and community outreach.

Camp participants received on ice training from Flyers Alumni in preparation for competitive games and a championship tournament. Registration included custom jerseys, hotel lodgings, social events, and a farewell dinner. It is a chance to live the dream while helping to raise funds to a good cause.

The two teams playing the championship game Monday morning wore throwback uniforms from two long defunct local hockey clubs. Former Flyers Robert Esche and Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Recchi were behind the bench coaching a team wearing the old Philadelphia Firebirds uniforms.

Trivia: The Firebirds were a North American Hockey League team that played out of Philly from 1974 to 1979. They won the NAHL championship at the old Philadelphia Civic Center in 1976. It was a consolation prize for the city after the Habs got in the way of the Flyers Stanley Cup Three-peat.

Former Flyers Joe Watson and Tim Kerr were joined by Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Howe behind the bench coaching a Philadelphia Blazers themed team.

Trivia: The Blazers were a World Hockey Association team that represented the City of Brotherly Love for just one season in 1972-73. The Blazers also played out of the old Philadelphia Civic Center which stood at the end of 34th Street in West Philly from 1931 to 2005. The Blazers short stint in the city is possibly most remembered because of a fine young goaltender named Bernie Parent.

Class of 23 Rink

There’s plenty of history between the Flyers organization and Penn’s ice rink which has stood at 3130 Walnut Street since 1970. The Class of 1923 Rink was the main practice facility of the Philadelphia Flyers from 1969 to 1983. The Flyers history here started before the rink was even open to the public. The strategies and attitude of the Broad Street Bullies were forged in this building.

When you look at the official team photo of the 1974 Stanley Cup Flyers you will recognize the blue and red bleachers that still surround the ice today. Currently the rink is often loaned out to visiting NHL teams for their morning skate when they come to Philly to face the Flyers.

The rink also hosts the Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education program which brings the sport and it’s great life lessons to kids from all over the area. Penn’s rink has much more to offer than just its rich history. It’s a living breathing part of today’s Philadelphia hockey community.

On a personal note, I love this place, been coming here since I was a little kid. I learned to skate here, I was lucky enough to attend Flyers practices here. I’ve played hockey on this ice every single week for many, many years now. Sunrise on Friday mornings just would not be the same without it. This arena is a treasure and a huge part of Philly hockey history. If you’ve never checked it out you really should put it on your to-do list.

Special thanks to Penn Rink Manager Rob Harkins and Flyers Alumni Staff Dave Culp for all their help.

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The Reading Royals (ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms) enter their 25th anniversary season in 2026-27 with continuity under head coach/GM Anthony Peters, a solid core of returning players, new additions on the blue line, and a competitive but not dominant outlook in a tough North Division.

2025-26 Recap

In Peters’ first full season (after joining from the Florida Everblades staff), the Royals went 36-26-8-2 (82 points) and finished 4th in the North Division. They made the Kelly Cup Playoffs but fell 1-4 to the Wheeling Nailers in the North Division Semifinals.

The season was defined by resilience and structure rather than dominance (199 goals for, 205 against). Depth scoring and a “next-man-up” approach helped them stay in the playoff mix amid inconsistency. Standouts included Defenseman Ben Meehan (12G-34A-46P) and Forwards like Brandon Saigeon, Carson Golder, Jeremy Michel, and Connor McMenamin. Goaltending was serviceable (Keith Petruzzelli and Yaniv Perets shared the load) but not elite.

Coaching and Staff

Peters remains Head Coach and General Manager. The staff has been bolstered with Justin Stevens as an Assistant Coach (announced July 2026), alongside continuing assistants. New head athletic trainer Jake Garwood was added in August 2026.

Roster Building for 2026-27

The Royals have focused on retaining key pieces and adding defensive depth:Key re-signings (as of mid-August 2026):

• Defensemen: Miles Gendron (2025-26 captain), Artem Kulakov, Jack Page, Carter Schade.
• Forwards: Connor McMenamin, Jeremy Michel, Austin Saint, Jordan Frasca.

New signings: Defensemen Luke Reid (from Adirondack/Utica pipeline experience) and Austin Mourar (local ties as a Reading Jr. Royals coach and Spring City, PA native).

Notable departures include some 2025-26 contributors (e.g., Jake Willets, Jacob Frasca to college). The roster remains fluid with AHL call-ups/assignments from the Flyers/Phantoms system expected. Early indications point to a balanced group emphasizing structure, two-way play, and depth—core strengths under Peters—while seeking more consistent scoring and tighter defensive play.

Schedule and Division

The 72-game schedule opens on the road vs. Greensboro (October 16-17), with the home opener at Santander Arena on October 24 vs. Kalamazoo (a two-game set). It is the club’s 25th anniversary season.

North Division opponents (55 of 72 games) include Adirondack Thunder, Greensboro Gargoyles, Maine Mariners, Norfolk Admirals, Trenton Ironhawks (relocated from Utah), Trois-Rivières Lions, and Worcester Railers. Wheeling remains a key rival from the prior season’s playoff matchup. The division is competitive, with several established playoff teams.

Outlook

The Royals project as a playoff contender again—likely aiming for a top-4 North Division finish and a deeper postseason run than the first-round exit in 2025-26. Strengths include coaching continuity and system buy-in, veteran leadership (Gendron and others), and local/organizational depth. Areas to improve are generating more sustained offense, closing out tight games, and defensive consistency (a noted weakness last year).As a Flyers affiliate, success will partly depend on prospect development and call-up traffic.

With the anniversary season providing extra energy and community focus, Reading has a realistic path to contend but will need better special teams/execution against stronger division foes to become a true Kelly Cup threat. Early roster moves suggest a steady, competitive year rather than a dramatic leap.

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The Flyers’ Center depth is widely viewed as a clear weak spot heading into 2026-27, and it will be tested.

Current projected NHL Centers under contract or likely on the roster include:

• Trevor Zegras (C/W, $9.125M AAV through 2029-30): Career-best 67 points in 2025-26 after the trade from Anaheim; finished the year and playoffs as the top-line center after mostly playing wing earlier. Faceoff percentage was poor (34%), and questions remain about whether he can sustain a true 1C role.
• Christian Dvorak ($5.15M through 2030-31): Solid two-way middle-six producer (51 points in 80 games in his first Flyers season).
• Noah Cates ($4M through 2028-29): Reliable defensive/two-way option who can contribute offensively.
• Sean Couturier ($7.75M through 2029-30): Veteran presence and captain, but aging (turns 34 early in the season) with declining production and pace at times.
• Depth: Noel Acciari (signed two years at $2.8M AAV as a physical, faceoff-oriented bottom-six/checking option), plus organizational pieces like Denver Barkey, Jacob Gaucher, and prospects such as Jett Luchanko (likely AHL-bound to start) and others further away (e.g., Jack Nesbitt in college).

As it stands, Luchanko is coming off core surgery, and will need at least half the season to recover fully from such..Jack Berglund is headed back to Sweden, so if there is a significant injury to a key member down the middle, this could turn ugly quickly.

The group has competent middle- and bottom-six pieces, but lacks a clear high-end playmaking Number one Center. The Flyers aggressively pursued one in the offseason (including a high-profile offer sheet to Anaheim’s Leo Carlsson that the Ducks matched), but came up empty and are largely returning the same core down the middle.

This is the primary roster hole:

The Flyers have strong wing talent (Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone) and improving goaltending, but the center group can get exposed against stronger opponents or in high-stakes situations, as seen at points in 2025-26.

Prospects offer longer-term hope (Jack Berglund), but none are expected to immediately solve the top of the depth chart in 2026-27. Cap space exists for further moves, yet the free-agent and trade markets for true top Centers remain difficult. Performance from Zegras (and health/consistency from the veterans) will heavily influence how severely the depth is tested.

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Matvei Michkov is expected back in the Philadelphia area by August 23rd at the latest.

Philadelphia Flyers/Phantoms writer Jamey Baskow stated this on August 13th in response to fan questions about whether Michkov had returned yet (he hadn’t as of mid-August). Baskow noted that’s when most of the younger players and/or the team are expected to reconvene.

It sounds like Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, Oliver Bonk, and Porter Martone will return, along with the other youth. As a matter of fact, I’m hearing that the majority of the team will be back around August 23rd.

Context on the timeline

• Michkov spent the offseason training intensively in Russia (Perm, Moscow, St. Petersburg, plus time at Artemi Panarin’s camp). The Flyers even sent a coach over for roughly two weeks of three-a-day sessions (gym, ice, conditioning). He emphasized no real vacation, focusing on nutrition, recovery, and preparation after a rocky sophomore year.
• In late July interviews, he and reports indicated a return in early August once his training cycles finished. That slipped a bit.
• Training camp opens September 17, so arriving by the 23rd still gives him solid time to settle in and prepare with the group.

Michkov’s coming off a strong summer of work and is heading into the final year of his entry-level deal. Flyers fans are clearly watching closely for him to bounce back toward (or beyond) his 63-point rookie form. Hopefully, he continues to learn the English language, since he decided to stay in Russia for the Summer, as opposed to Voorhees, NJ like he said he would originally. Maybe he doesn’t understand the questions. Maybe he meant to say he would train here, and he did right after the season ended. I wouldn’t read too much into it

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The Flyers made some headlines earlier in the week with loaning Jack Berglund to the SHL

Berglund is a young, Center Prospect, that had some great tournaments last year. Without further delay, Yariv Wolok and Vasili Gianarakos break it all down on the latest Gettin Gritty Wit It.

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Owen Tippett underwent sports hernia/core surgery in mid-to-late May 2026 and is expected to be ready for Training Camp in September, but some reports note he may not feel fully like himself (regaining peak explosiveness, confidence in core movements, etc.) until later in the 2026-27 season—around December/January (or possibly into early 2027).

This follows issues from the 2025-26 playoffs. Tippett played through a sports hernia in the first round against Pittsburgh (where the Flyers won in six games) and then dealt with a separate internal bleeding issue that kept him out of the entire second-round series against Carolina. He was able to skate at times but never cleared for games. The internal bleeding resolved, and he had the sports hernia surgery roughly two weeks before early June updates from General Manager Daniel Briere.

Tippett is projected to be healthy for camp and the start of the season after a strong regular season (28 goals and 51 points in 81 games). However, recovery from these core injuries often means players are physically cleared but take extra months to regain full power, cutting ability, and confidence in high-intensity hockey movements. Flyers history with similar procedures (e.g., involving players like Claude Giroux, Shayne Gostisbehere, Jamie Drysdale, Kevin Hayes, Brian Elliott) has sometimes shown lingering effects into December or January. Tippett also had a reduced offseason training window as a result, and not to mention possible clean outs.

Just be patient, Tippett may ease in and hit his stride later rather than producing at peak levels from Day 1.

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Rasmus Ristolainen is entering the final year of his five-year, $5.1 million AAV deal, and it’s a big one especially if the Flyers want to move him at the trade deadline.

In 2025-26 he played just 44 regular-season games (1G-13A-14P, +10) after missing the first 31 games with a triceps tendon injury (his second such issue in recent years). When healthy he averaged over 21 minutes and contributed solidly; in the playoffs he stepped up further (10 GP, 1G-4A-5P, 25 TOI, heavy minutes against Sidney Crosby and in the Carolina series) as the Flyers beat Pittsburgh before getting swept.by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Why a strong, healthy season matters

• Right-side depth and size: The Flyers’ right defense currently features Ristolainen, Jamie Drysdale (just extended), and younger options like Oliver Bonk, David Jiricek, and Helge Grans. Drysdale brings skill but not bulk; the kids lack proven NHL experience and physicality. Ristolainen (6’4″, 208) provides the big-body presence, shot-blocking, and shutdown ability that pairs well with Travis Sanheim and helps balance the blue line.
• Proven when available: Post-Olympics (where he was strong for bronze-medal Finland) and in the playoffs he looked like one of his better versions — driving positive on-ice results, physical play, and reliable minutes. A full healthy season at that level would stabilize the top four and support a team that just returned to the postseason.
• Contract/timing: At 31 he can still deliver top-four value. A big year raises his trade value (the Flyers have shopped him before, seeking a first-rounder-level return) or makes a reasonable extension more attractive. Injury history remains the risk; another long absence would force more ice time onto unproven players.

The Flyers’ defense has improved and has upside with Travis Sanheim, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and Nick Seeler, but it still needs reliable, experienced size on the right. A healthy, productive Rasmus Ristolainen (full season, strong possession/defensive metrics, physical impact) would be a meaningful help for a club trying to take the next step after their 2025-26 playoff appearance. If he regresses or gets hurt again, the pressure on the young right-side options rises quickly and/or would quickly diminish his trade value.

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