The Flyers could be looking at trying to fix their backup goaltending issue via free agency. Here are six who might fit the bill for the short term.
Apr 11, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) warms up prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
As it was mentioned a few hundred times this season, the Philadelphia Flyers had (and still have) bad goaltending. Given the save percentages and other metrics that gauged just how dire the situation was, Flyers general manager Danny Briere was to the point: if it made sense, the Flyers wouldn’t hesitate to upgrade their goaltending, whether it was through trade, signing an unrestricted free agent, or parting (or buying out) one or both of Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov.
With Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin still around the corner but not quite here yet, the Flyers could try to at least put a tourniquet to stop the figurative bleeding for a season. And there are more than a handful of journeymen, veteran NHL goaltenders who could at least conceivably fare better than what the Flyers had in the backup position in 2024-25. It’s conceivable the Flyers could open up the piggy bank a wee bit more to attract an established veteran goaltender, particularly with a rising cap ceiling. It’s doubtful any of these goaltenders would be signed to anything longer than a two-year deal. So, with that, here are five netminders (in no particular order) who could fit the bill and possibly lift the Flyers’ team save percentage (dare I say it) into the .900 range.
Anton Forsberg
After a few seasons of seasoning in the American Hockey League with the Cleveland Monsters, Rockford IceHogs, and Charlotte Checkers, Anton Forsberg found a home the last four seasons with the Ottawa Senators. Although he saw action in just 30 games this season, the Swedish goalie had a goals against average almost three quarters of a goal less than the Flyers team average. Forsberg could also be a great complement to fellow Swede Sam Ersson and be a legitimate one-two tandem.
Forsberg’s busiest year was in 2021-22 when he played 46 games and posted his career high with a .917 save percentage. His Goals Saved Above Average was 0.9, almost miles ahead of anything a Flyers goaltender had last season. And he only had six really bad starts while posting three shutouts. Perhaps the biggest question would be if Forsberg, 32, would seek a fresh start with the Flyers or possibly sign a short extension with Ottawa. The Senators seem to be on the rise, making the playoffs this year and have plenty of younger talent developing. He’s also spent the last four years there, so might take a cheaper deal if he’s willing to stay put.
The Flyers would probably have to sweeten the Forsberg’s AAV as he’s wrapping up a three-year, $8.25 million contract ($2.75 million AAV). But considering they paid Cal Petersen a boatload of coin to stay in Lehigh Valley all season, a deal in the $3 million to $3.5 million range for one or two years could be money well spent. Like nearly any other UFA goalie this July, Forsberg would be a slight to sizeable improvement on what Philadelphia offered last year. But again, a lot of that depends on if Briere can unload one of Fedotov and Kolosov. Or both of them.
Jake Allen
Jake Allen has 460 regular season games under his belt and 29 playoff games. After the 2022-23 and 2023-24 season saw him play a combined 34 times, Allen posted average to good backup numbers, playing 31 times, posting his highest save percentage since 2019-20 with the Blues, and four shutouts. He might be the most coveted UFA goalie on July 1.
So what could convince him to become a Flyer? Well, for one, spending the last two seasons in New Jersey would mean he wouldn’t have to move given the proximity between the two Metropolitan Division teams. It’s not as huge a logistical nightmare for professional athletes compared to the average person. More money should mean an easier time of relocating. But nobody really enjoys moving. And signing with the Flyers would mean staying put.
Secondly, considering the lack of capable backups the Flyers have, it would be a no-brainer for Allen to be lured to Philadelphia. It probably wouldn’t be enough to be secured a playoff spot. It would be enough to most likely keep them in the hunt through 82 games as long as he remained healthy. Turning 35 in August, Allen might not be the epitome of physical health for a goalie. However, if the Flyers are looking to improving in goal, no option is off the table.
The sticking point? Well, it could be money. According to CapWages.com, Allen would have a projected annual cap hit of just over $2.7 million, a drop from his $3.85 million AAV this past season. If a bidding war was to start over Allen, it’s highly unlikely you’d see Briere inking him to something north of $4 million AAV, unless it was a one-year deal. Considering his age, this could be Allen’s last contract, so obviously he would want to maximize his value. Given the Flyers’ need, Allen could be a great fit. Just don’t expect Briere to break the bank considering what he could be asking given the rise in the salary cap. The salary cap increases will see comparables thrown out the window for a season or two. It’s unlikely the Flyers will be on the forefront of creating a new ceiling for an aging (but good) Jake Allen.
David Rittich
While he was the obvious plan B to Darcy Kuemper for the Kings this season, David Rittich made a case for being sought after this summer. The 32-year-old goalie (will be 33 in August) had a clunker of a season compared to 2023-24 when he posted a 2.15 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Rittich won 16 games this season, his highest total since 2019-20 with Calgary. He’s also seen his share of one-year deals, as stops in Toronto, Winnipeg, and Nashville took place between his years with the Flames and now in Los Angeles.
Rittich would probably be one of the more economical (cap-friendly) deals the Flyers could find, as he earned $1 million this past season. He’s averaged just under that amount the last three seasons. Again, with the cap increase the floor will also rise, meaning he could come in at $1.25 to maybe $1.4 million. He would also seem content playing the 30 to 35 games he would be asked to play as the backup. Being the most experienced goalie Ersson would have the chance to play with would also probably help Ersson. Rittich’s had his ups and downs, and could provide some perspective (or be a reasonable sounding board) should the starter find himself more in his own head and not performing where it counts.
Alex Lyon
Did you really think a former Flyers goalie wouldn’t be an option? Heck, Calvin Pickard was given the green light to bail out the Oilers while Anthony Stolarz is a win away from moving into the second round with Toronto. After battling and battling for more than spot time for several years, Lyon’s two-year contract with Detroit to start 2023-24 was a godsend for the keeper. He has played 113 NHL games. Of those, 74 came with Detroit. The goals-against average improved while the save percentage dipped every so slightly. In short, Lyon found some semblance of normalcy the last two years, something he fought tooth and nail for since his days with Philadelphia.
He still might have nightmares about his time in Philadelphia, particularly the season where Dave Hakstol and company used everyone but the trainers to try and stop the pucks. He’s probably seeking greener pastures and there’s a few places (Los Angeles should they let go of Rittich, Tampa Bay, and New Jersey) where teams are hoping to resolve their backup goaltender issue.
Lyon, 32, is slightly younger than Rittich and Allen and is perhaps one of the cheaper contracts Briere could ink to try to solidify the goaltending situation (or ease the suffering a tad). Whether Lyon would welcome a return back to the Flyers is up for debate. Certainly wouldn’t hurt to kick the tires on him.
Frederik Andersen
Frederik Andersen has been around. His best days are behind him. Yet he could still fit the bill when it comes to a tandem with Ersson. Andersen had a decent regular season and was nearly .900 in save percentage. Certainly a step up over anythinng the Flyers offered up. What might be even more impressive is this was his second worst season for that stat after almost consistently being over (or way over) that magic number.
Outside of his five-year contract he signed with Toronto, Andersen has worked on two-year contracts most of his career. His AAV over that deal was $3.4 million (yet getting paid $3.7 million in year one and $3.1 million this season). Andersen, who turns 36 on the cusp of this coming season, might still be looking to play for a Cup contending team in 2025-26. Philadelphia is not there yet. The numbers statistically would definitely work for the Flyers. But it’s probably doubtful Briere could reasonably lure the netminder towards a team still on the outside looking in.
Jack Campbell
Hear me out here. If you’ve noticed anything about Danny Briere and the current Flyers organization, they are not averse to reclamation projects. From Jakob Pelletier this season, Jamie Drysdale the previous year or enabling Nick Seeler to sign a four-year contract (after once contemplating retirement), the Flyers don’t mind taking a chance on a long shot or underdog. And when training camp rolls around in September, there would be no bigger longshot or underdog than former Oilers and Maple Leafs keeper Jack Campbell.
Everybody knows Campbell couldn’t get the job done with Edmonton after signing a five-year contract. The Oilers paid for him (and paid to get rid of him) handsomely. Last season, Campbell signed a $775,000 deal with Detroit last summer. But last October the goalie entered the NHL/NHLPA’s Assistance Program, being unavailable to Detroit while he dealt with his own issues.
Assuming Campbell was given the okay to play again, and assuming he was eager to return to professional hockey after overcoming or coping with whatever demons he had, he wouldn’t find a better place than Philadelphia. The reputation with the franchise is they chew up and spit out goaltenders like chewing tobacco. There’s a little bit of truth to that. But whether it was John Tortorella’s doing or the players themselves, the current Flyers locker room is possibly one of the tightest in the league. Campbell would be welcomed with open arms and given a chance to play. He would also be given the support needed to ensure that demon or demons are in the past. And remain in the past. The Flyers are still not contenders and don’t proclaim to be, so the situation would be somewhat different than the Golden Knights and what they expected out of Robin Lehner. It might not even be on Briere’s radar as nobody seems to be beating down Campbell’s door with a contract.
Briere’s need to see quick improvement between the pipes for 2025-26 might not mesh with trying to give a former good goaltender another chance. Yet if Campbell was able to be a capable backup for Philadelphia, it’s probably a guarantee you’d be watching the 2025-26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner 30 to 35 games out of the season.
