Photo Credit: NHL.com
The Flyers faced a deadline of June 1, 2025, 5pm EST to sign prospects Carter Sotheran, Matteo Mann, and Brian Zanetti to Entry-Level-Contracts, or they become Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA’s).
Here’s a brief overview of each prospect’s status:
- Carter Sotheran: Drafted in the fifth round (135th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Sotheran, a right-handed defenseman, showed promise with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, posting a career-high 13 goals and 40 points in his draft-plus-one season. Despite early potential, his performance in the following season was described as disappointing, and with a crowded defensive prospect pool (Oliver Bonk joins Phantoms next season), the Flyers have not prioritized signing him.
- Matteo Mann: Selected in the seventh round (199th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Mann, a large-framed defensive defenseman, faced long odds as a late-round pick. Historically, few seventh-round picks earn contracts with their drafting teams, and Mann’s development path in the QMJHL and a brief ECHL stint have not appeared to convince the Flyers to sign him.
- Brian Zanetti: A fourth-round pick (110th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Zanetti, a left-handed defenseman, has been playing in Switzerland’s National League (NL) after a stint in the OHL with the Peterborough Petes. His offensive production has been limited, and he signed a three-year deal with HC Lugano in August 2024, indicating he may have anticipated not receiving a contract from the Flyers. His rights were set to expire, and it’s likely he was not signed.
The Flyers’ decision not to sign these prospects aligns with their crowded defensive prospect pool and the need to prioritize NHL-ready players or higher-potential prospects like Matvei Michkov, Oliver Bonk, and others.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
