The '25-'26 Philadelphia Flyers thread

[flyers19rw]

No one is getting Martone. Interesting that other clubs like what they see in Nesbitt. There are some Flyers fans that don’t like him.

[Pat_Burrell]

I saw the nhl provided some clarity today regarding the Leafs 1st round pick owed to Philly. It was reported that the League indicated the Leafs 2027 1st round pick is the Flyers. However, if the Leafs 2027 1st lands in the top 10, the Leafs have the option to transfer it to the Bruins and the Flyers would then receive the Leafs 2028 Unprotected 1st round pick. Being divisional rivals, it’s doubtful the leafs would transfer a top 3 pick to the Bruins. If it landed around 8-10, maybe then they would consider it. Either way, things look better for the Flyers receiving the Leafs 2027 1st. Didn’t see if the league put to rest the notion that’s been speculated on some boards regarding the possibility of the leafs conducting a bidding war between Philly and Boston though I can’t imagine they want to set that precedent.

NHL gives Maple Leafs good news about future first-round picks

Flyers writer Kurz with the report

[xogfog]

Yzerman has reportedly asked Larkin’s agent if he would expand his list of teams he would accept a trade to and was given a larger list, no report of what that list is, or if the Flyers are on it, but, that tells me the Red Wings have not gotten a trade offer they are satisfied with to date. If Briere can come up with the best offer, it seems like Yzerman might be able to convince Larkin and his team to accept a trade to the Flyers. Might just be wishful thinking on my part.

[Austinfan]

A wish I hope isn't granted.
Briere was pretty straightforward about not mortgaging the future to win now.
Larkin is 30, and wouldn't put the Flyers over the top.
To me, figuring out the defense is more important.

One thing to watch is their plans for Zegras and Barkey, who both played center b/c Cates was injured.
Barkey needs to add strength, but the comparison to Stankoven isn't far fetched. Stankoven is stouter, but Barkey is a similar style of player, high IQ, good vision, two way player who is fearless and goes to the net.
Zegras looked better at center during the stretch run and the playoffs than earlier in the season.

If you keep both of them at center, Zegras, Dvorak, Barkey, Cates with Couts at LW.

[zambonir]

The original list was just three teams: Florida, Vegas and Minnesota. The last two Cup-winners and a club with major Team USA ties (including the GM and coach). Doubt the Flyers are still on a second short list, let alone that they can make the best offer, but same is true of many other teams who are further down the road competitively. Doesn't mean Briere isn't calling, or that the list might grow again, but if Martone and Foerster are untouchable and he doesn't really want to trade Tippett (that is Kurz's report) that only leaves one guy to headline the package.

[bigegypt0417]

A wish I hope isn't granted.
Briere was pretty straightforward about not mortgaging the future to win now.
Larkin is 30, and wouldn't put the Flyers over the top.
To me, figuring out the defense is more important.

There is no one player that puts the flyers over the top. The Flyers will also not get better hoping every prospect in the their system pans out. Depending on that strategy working out is a fairly awful way ro build a team.

Protect the prospects you don't plan on moving and then go out and make your team better. Focusing on one facet to improve might feed in to your 3 year plan but it is a formnula that doesn't really work.

[Austinfan]

You don't start adding 30+ year old players until you're already a SC contender. In that case, you make moves to get to the promised land. And if you're that good, the 1st rd picks you use have limited value (25+).

Right now the Flyers are 2-3 years away from that status, I can see them taking a step back this season, depending how players pan out, injuries, etc. Adding Larkin (which would cost a top 6 starter as well as draft/prospect assets) wouldn't change that.

I'd add Carlson, b/c Flyers have lots of cap room next two seasons, he'd help them without costing assets. And allow you to trade Risto for more assets.

Stankoven (#47) is the best center on Carolina in the POs. Shows how important line chemistry is.
If the Flyers wings keep developing, they can be fine with solid two way centers and elite scoring wings.
But they need to upgrade both size and speed and offensive chops on defense.

[xogfog]

I don't know about adding Carlson, you do have to trade Ristolainen, because Bonk is ready to come up, with Sanheim, York, Drysdale (who should be getting a new deal), Seeler and Andrae, You don't trade for Carlson unless you also trade one of Seeler or Andrae. It is also possible York could be traded as part of a package to land an asset as well.

[zambonir]

Carlson is a free agent. No reason to think he'd come here, he needs to win a Cup in the next two years (and that's about how long his deal would be) but he's thought to want to come back East if he doesn't stay in Anaheim.

The Flyers don't have to be aggressive this year if they don't want to but they still might only be one year away, not 2-3.

[VoteForKalas]

Carlson already won a Cup and according to reports has expressed interest in the Flyers.

He would be an improvement for the defense, the PP and playoff experience. He only costs $$ amd they have plenty of cap to fit him in for 2 years.

I would definitely try to trade Risto this offseason. His value will likely never be higher coning off a solid Olympic and NHL performances.

[Pat_Burrell]

I think more accurately it’s been implied that Carlson prefers to come back east to play, not necessarily a preference for the flyers. I could see Carolina being a possibility. I would like him on a 2 year deal but I imagine he will want maybe 3. Flyers would need to move Risto and even then Jiricek needs to be up since he’s no longer waiver exempt and then Bonk is knocking.

[zambonir]

I don't know if he's expressed interest in the Flyers or not but just because he has a ring doesn't mean another one isn't his biggest priority.

Tampa and Dallas now apparently confirmed on Larkin's list. If Flyers want him they probably either need to trade for some guys on the Wild or get Shapiro to abolish income tax (Minnesota being the only team on Larkin's list so far that has it).

No problem with Flyers moving Risto either way. Also no problem with them keeping him. But throwing Jiricek into the fire (not just the roster) and asking both York and Drysdale and a forward to do more work on the PP also a valid plan. I mean, just look at the Canes PP.

[Pat_Burrell]

Reported by Kevin Weekes

I’m told G Vladar and
the @NHLFlyers are working towards
closing in on a 5 Yr Contract Extension
that’s likely to land in the mid 5M AAV
range.

[VoteForKalas]

5 years way too long IMO. I'll guess we'll see how it goes.

[zambonir]

If true, that's not very much money though. Both compared to other goalies and relative to the overall and team-specific cap picture. To get three years you'd probably give him 25-33% more annually. Four or five was always the likely number. Also it might include giving him a raise and including the coming year? (not sure how that works in NHL).

No question it could go bad - just look at Vegas where Adin Hill won a Cup and has a $6 million cap hit through 2031 backing up Carter Hart, or even Carolina's current goalie situation for that matter - but nobody is close to being ready to start for the Flyers. Perfect world the last two years are spent mentoring the next guy which would still be money well spent if the next guy is homegrown.

[xogfog]

Why is 5 years too long? He's 28.

[LegoDoom]

Not saying it's a bad deal, but he's effectively 29.

[flyers19rw]

It looks like Vladar is a starting NHL goalie. He may not be a Vezina quality guy but he’s solid. Better than the inconsistent to terrible guys that have been here lately. The clown show in net may finally be over.

[Austinfan]

Flyers don't have cap issues the next two seasons, and after that the cap will be north of $120M.
So this is like $3M a few years ago (4% of the cap).

Fine for a starter, a little rich for a veteran backup, but Zavragin doesn't come over until 2027 or 2028 and probably needs a year in the AHL. So even if he's the future, don't have to start paying him until about the 4th or 5th season of Vladar's extension. Bjarnason is years away from even being a NHL backup (21 next season so 2-3 more years in the AHL would not be unusual for a goalie prospect).

[Austinfan]

Carolina does suggest that fans can stop obsessing over a 1C and 1D.

Aho certainly didn't look like a top center and Stankoven had a hot PO but so far hasn't shown enough to see him as more than a 2C. Slavin is a great defender, though a little long in the tooth, but not much offense. Miller more of a top 4 guy.

Point is Carolina did it with scheme, depth and balance, not star power. Tulsky added Walker and Ghost to the defense, and Martinhook, Carrier and Robinson to the bottom six. They have solid forwards but no one who is elite.

Carolina could always play fast, but this team is grittier.
Similar to TB going out and getting big D-men (Cernak, etc) and Coleman and Goodrow to play with Gourde.
Or Fla trading Huberdeau for Tkachuk and changing their mentalite under Maurice.

PO hockey is different. One reason I have confidence in Briere is he excelled at PO hockey despite being 5'9 180 or so. He understands it's about grit as much as size. You could see this in this series, two teams that were willing to pay the price in the corners and in front of the net. Vegas was the more physical team, but they're also showing their age - Carolina out quicked them to the puck and getting back into position.

I've thought that Briere's template was a hybrid of Carolina and Florida, relentless forecheck with a physical element. Moved out Frost and Farabee b/c they lack an edge (Brink was a number's game and a favor to him going home). Drafted size and skill in Martone over the needed center in Hagens. Drafted a lot of two way, high IQ forwards and big D-men with some skill and/or speed. Still need two more years for the kids to grow up - but it took Carolina a while to find their identity.