Free agency is just a month away, and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. Several impact players will hit the open market in July, while many teams also have key restricted free agents to re-sign. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the Flyers' free-agent situation.
Key Restricted Free Agents
Bobby Brink: Brink finally found consistent playing time in the NHL, dressing in 57 games, potting 11 goals and 12 assists. The former second-round pick competes hard despite being an undersized, below-average skater and has good hands and vision around the net. Brink showed he can be part of the Flyers core going forward and is a good bet to get a bridge contract for 2-3 years with an AAV between $1M-$2M.
Carter Hart: Carter Hart is owed a $4.479M qualifying offer, and given his legal status, he will unlikely receive an offer, which would make him a free agent. The Flyers already have Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov under contract for next season, and it was reported in April that Hart’s trial likely won’t begin until the end of 2025.
Yegor Zamula: Zamula enjoyed his first full season in the NHL in 2023-24 after spending parts of the previous three years with the Flyers. The 24-year-old showed good mobility and poise in the defensive zone and moves the puck well with a confident first pass, however, he is not an offensive playmaker and lacks consistency. He will also need to find a way to use his 6-foot-3 frame more effectively when defending the net. Zamula also figures to receive a bridge contract from the Flyers in the range of $1M to $2M.
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
Denis Gurianov: Gurianov is an intriguing free agent as he has a good pedigree having been drafted 12th overall back in 2015, however, the 27-year-old hasn’t been able to put his skillset together at the NHL despite being given ample opportunities. He played just four games for the Flyers last season after coming over in a mid-season trade from Nashville and posted zero points while dominating on the possession front (60% CF% as per Hockey Reference). Gurianov has a 20-season to his credit but has bounced between four organizations the last two years and seems destined for a new one this summer.
Erik Johnson: Johnson is a former first-overall pick who brings almost no offense but handles his duty in the defensive zone with physicality. There is no flash to Johnson’s game, but he can still provide a good safety blanket if paired on a third pairing with an offensively-minded defensive partner. Johnson made $3.25M last season on a one-year deal but is unlikely to duplicate that number this offseason. Another one-year contract is for the 36-year-old, but it seems unlikely that the Flyers will be a fit for him.
Marc Staal: Staal is nearing the end of his career, but he remains an NHL player at this stage, albeit as a sixth or seventh defenseman. The Thunder Bay, Ontario native remains a good shot blocker and battler along the boards and in front of his net, but he is very limited with his skating and the puck on his stick. Staal has trouble playing against teams with speed as he has issues containing the puck carrier and finding space to make plays with the puck. Staal will likely get another one-year contract in the $1M range; although it seems unlikely, it will be with the Flyers.
Projected Cap Space
The Flyers have precious little in cap space as they head into the offseason. They have a tick above $500K in room under the cap. That number will grow closer to $7M when the club accounts for LTIR candidates. Philadelphia has a laundry list of needs and very little room to maneuver, so the team is considering buyouts for several overpriced veterans. The Flyers will also have the pending free agency of Travis Konecny to consider as he is just a year away from unrestricted free agency. The team must get creative to address some of their needs, which could make for a busy summer for general manager Daniel Briere.
