Flyers’ nightmare scenario in 2025 NHL Free Agency

After ranking 24th in goals, it’s evident that the Flyers need better goal-scorers. Now, with great free agents like Nikolaj Ehlers and Brock Boeser available, the Flyers must try to sign one of them. They likely won’t get someone as expensive as Mitchell Marner, but anyone who is slightly lower on the tier can help. Sam Bennett is also a notable free agent who also brings Stanley Cup experience, and a guy they can go after.

If the Flyers fail to acquire a notable goal scorer, then it will be a failure. They don’t have anyone aside from Michkov or Konecny who can truly fill the net.

Flyers’ goaltending issues don’t get resolved in NHL free agency

Carter Hart’s NHL career came to a halt as he became part of a major criminal investigation. Unfortunately, that has also impacted the Flyers, as they have had mediocre goaltending since he took an indefinite leave of absence.

Samuel Ersson struggled mightily this season, going 22-17-5 with a 3.14 goals-against average and a save percentage of .883. Meanwhile, backup Ivan Fedetov was not much better, going 6-13-4 with a 3.15 goals-against average and a save percentage of .880. Even call-up Aleksei Kolosov struggled, going 5-9-1 with a 3.59 goals-against average and a save percentage of .867. Are any of these goalies the answer? The answer seems to be no, and Philadelphia must address it.

The goaltending was atrocious this season. If the Flyers don’t acquire a goalie in a trade or through NHL free agency, they will likely get similar results on the ice next season.

The Flyers overpay for mediocre NHL free agents

The Flyers also cannot overpay for mediocre veterans. Although they have not done this often in the past, there is always a chance that it might happen, and they must resist the urge.

Mikael Granlund would be an ideal fit in Philadelphia. However, the Flyers must extend a contract that is fair to them. He is currently 33 years old, and a significant long-term contract would probably not be ideal, especially if his performance starts to decline as he approaches the end of his career. Likewise, someone like Jamie Benn would be lost on the Flyers after spending his entire career with the Dallas Stars.

Philadelphia’s defensive woes continue

The Flyers were bad all around this past season. Yes, their offense and goaltending were the significant issues. But their defense was just as poor, making too many mistakes in their own zone.

When the Flyers traded Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale, they believed they were getting a defenseman who could cover the blue line well. Instead, they got a defenseman who has been injury-prone and had a plus/minus of -32. Cam York has been solid on the blue line, as has Travis Sanheim. But the rest of the defense has numerous issues and has struggled immensely.

The Flyers must address their poor defense with a depth-level free agent signing. Even a stout defender like Dmitry Orlov might help their blue line while also working as a locker room leader. Right now, the Flyers need all the help they can get, and failing to address the defense would fuel a potential repeat of the nightmare season they just endured.