The Philadelphia Flyers are gearing up for free agency, with a mix of key restricted and unrestricted free agents on their radar. With a projected cap space of around $37.5 million, the team has the flexibility to re-sign their restricted free agents and pursue complementary pieces or top-end talent. Here's a breakdown of the Flyers' free agency situation, with a focus on the key players and their potential impact on the team's future.
Restricted Free Agents
Trevor Zegras
Zegras, a 25-year-old forward, had a resurgence in his game after being traded to the Flyers from the Anaheim Ducks last offseason. He quickly became a fan favorite, contributing 12 points in his first 10 games. With career highs in goals (26) and points (67), Zegras is expected to command a significant raise, likely north of $8 million, which would be comparable to the current AAV of the Flyers' leading scorer, Travis Konecny. The Flyers' power play struggles may be an area for improvement, but Zegras' performance has been a bright spot for the team.
Nikita Grebenkin
Grebenkin, a 23-year-old Russian winger, joined the Flyers from the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2024-25 season. Despite a solid training camp performance, his season was cut short due to an upper-body injury. Grebenkin's effort and compete level have impressed Philadelphia fans, and he is expected to command a shorter-term deal around $1.25 million. With a lot of unknowns surrounding his future, Grebenkin's development will be crucial for the Flyers' success.
Jamie Drysdale
Drysdale, a 26-year-old defenseman, had a solid season offensively, posting a career high in goals (8) and tying his career high in points (32). His defensive play and situational awareness improved significantly, and he played a bigger role under Rick Tocchet, including the third-most power-play minutes of any Flyer. Drysdale's performance earned him a raise on his $2.3 million qualifying number, and re-signing him should be a priority for the team.
Samuel Ersson
Ersson, a 26-year-old goaltender, struggled to secure a starting role, with Dan Vladar seizing the crease. Despite a modest number, Ersson's performance in the post-Olympic run was impressive, and he is expected to be an inexpensive re-sign for the team. However, his future in Philadelphia is uncertain, as the team has praised Vladar's performance.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Luke Glendening
Glendening, a veteran center, was claimed off waivers in March and became an unlikely spark for the Flyers' playoff push. His value lies in his ability to take faceoffs and contribute on the penalty kill. With a crowded forward group, a reunion with the Flyers is unlikely, but his impact on the team's success cannot be overlooked.
Carl Grundstrom
Grundstrom, a 28-year-old depth wing, provided physicality and energy when he was up. He found success in the minors and is a cheap re-sign option, but the Flyers may prefer to open a roster spot for a younger player.
Noah Juulsen
Juulsen, a 29-year-old defenseman, signed a one-year deal and provided steady bottom-pairing depth. His physical presence and ability to block shots make him a logical re-sign, but the team's young, crowded blue line may push him out.
Projected Cap Space
The Flyers have a projected cap space of around $37.5 million, with the salary cap climbing to $104 million for the 2026-27 season. With the priority of re-signing Zegras and Drysdale, the team should have ample cap leftover to round out the roster and pursue complementary pieces or top-end talent. The Flyers' success in the playoffs, powered by Vladar's MVP-caliber season, has set the stage for a promising free agency period.
