Jakob Pelletier, who was acquired in a January trade, wasn't extended a qualifying offer from the Flyers.

What you should know
NHL free agency began at noon Philly time. The Flyers didn't waste time, quickly signing goalie Dan Vladar, Christian Dvorak and Noah Jullsen.
The Flyers sent Cam York a qualifying offer, while Jakob Pelletier will become a free agent.
Flyers Q&A: Danny Brière on free agency, the player who needs to take a big step, and more.
The Flyers announced their development camp roster and schedule, headlined by Porter Martone and Jack Nesbitt.

Flyers defenseman Cam York is expected to receive a qualifying offer of $1.6 million.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 3:44pm

How Drouin signing impacts Flyers' pursuit of Shabanov

The New York Islanders have signed forward Jonathan Drouin to a two-year deal with an average annual value of $4 million.

Signing Drouin could have a knock-on effect for the Flyers, as it could mean the Islanders, a reported finalist, are out of the Maxim Shabanov sweepstakes. The Flyers have been one of the team’s linked with a move for the 5-foot-9 Shabonov, who was the KHL’s third leading scorer last season.

The Flyers and several other teams are still waiting on a final decision from Shabanov and his camp. GM Danny Briere is slated to speak at 4 p.m. and could potentially offer updates on the Russian winger.

Signing Shabanov could be an even bigger priority than first thought, as The Inquirer has learned that winger Tyson Foerster could miss some of next season with an arm inury.

Flyers right wing Tyson Foerster suffered an arm injury during offseason training.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 3:29pm

James van Riemsdyk headed to Detroit

Former Flyer James van Riemsdyk has found a new home, as he has agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings will be the 36-year-old’s fourth team in four years, after one year stops in Boston and Columbus following his departure from Philly. The veteran remains a useful player and net-front presence, having scored 16 goals last season for the Blue Jackets.

Speaking of the Blue Jackets, former Flyer Ivan Provorov was one of the big winners in free agency. With a dearth of defensemen available, especially after Aaron Ekblad re-signed in Florida, Provorov signed a seven-year extension worth a whopping $8.5 million a year.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 3:13pm

Lycksell signs with Sens

Olle Lycksell has been on the fringes in Philly for a few seasons but now will get a much-needed fresh start.

The Swedish forward, who has lit up the AHL the past few seasons with Lehigh Valley but hasn’t been able to break through at the NHL level, has signed a one- year deal with the Ottawa Senators.

Lycksell, who turns 26 next month, has put up 11 points in 45 games for the Flyers over the past three seasons mostly in a bottom-six role. He has had much more success in the American Hockey League, earning All-Star honors last season and racking up 128 points in 134 games there for his career.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 2:01pm

Flyers winger Tyson Foerster expected to miss start of the season with arm injury

The hockey gods surely do giveth and taketh.

On Tuesday, as the Flyers made moves in free agency, they were doing so with a clear understanding of what was on the horizon: Flyers winger Tyson Foerster will miss time with an upper-body injury.

Foerster, 23, suffered the arm injury during offseason training in June and could miss significant time at the start of the season. He traveled to Vancouver this week to see a specialist.

The news comes at a bad time, considering Foerster’s continued growth across the last two seasons. He has become a surefire top-six winger for the Flyers and was rewarded for it with a two-year bridge deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million in late May.

This past season after an impressive rookie campaign — tied for third among rookies with 20 goals and 10th in points (33) in 77 games — he set career highs across the board. In 81 games, he had 25 goals and 43 points and notched his first hat trick in April.

And that all came after a slow start. He finished with nine goals in the final nine games of the season.

Flyers winger Tyson Foerster expected to miss start of next season with an arm injury

// Timestamp 07/01/25 12:50pm

Report: Top defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov signs with Rangers

// Timestamp 07/01/25 12:47pm

Flyers sign goalie Dan Vladar to two-year deal

The Flyers signed goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.35 million.

Vladar, who turns 28 next month, spent the last four years with the Calgary Flames organization, and the past season working in tandem with Calder Trophy finalist Dustin Wolf. Last season, he went 12-11-6 with a 2.80 goals-against average and .898 save percentage.

Flyers sign goalie Dan Vladar, depth center Christian Dvorak shortly after NHL free agency opens

// Timestamp 07/01/25 12:46pm

Report: Corey Perry signing with Kings

So much for the Edmonton Oilers making cap space for Corey Perry.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 12:17pm

Flyers sign center Christian Dvorak

The Flyers have signed former Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million deal, the team announced Tuesday.

Dvorak, who played for new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet from 2017-2021 with the Arizona Coyotes, is a center who is expected to slot into the fourth-line hole left by trading Ryan Poehling to Anaheim.

Dvorak spent the past four seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. This past season, he had 12 goals and 33 points in 81 games for the Canadiens.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 12:02pm

Noah Juulsen signing with Flyers

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen has signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Flyers, the team announced Tuesday.

Juulsen is a 6-foot-2, 201-pound right-shot defenseman who played the past four years in Vancouver, two-plus seasons under new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.

Jullsen brings size and grit and is someone who could provide depth and potentially slot into the open spot on the right side with Rasmus Ristolainen, who is out for six months after undergoing surgery on a right triceps tendon rupture in late March.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 11:52am

Oilers make cap space to potentially re-sign veteran Corey Perry

Rumors started circulating Tuesday morning that the Flyers were interested in signing veteran winger Corey Perry, the player top draft pick Porter Martone compares his game to.

The thought heading into the day was that the Edmonton Oilers did not have enough cap space to retain the 2007 Stanley Cup champion, who just helped them make back-to-back Stanley Cup final appearances.

Shipping out Victor Arvidsson, who has one year left at $4 million, should be enough space to sign Perry as he chases that elusive second Cup.

Perry, 40, has been to five of the past six finals.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 11:37am

Jake Allen stays put

The top unrestricted free agent goaltender is off the board before free agency opens, as the New Jersey Devils and Jake Allen have agreed to a contract extension.

Allen, who turns 35 next month had been linked with the Flyers given the team’s need in net, has signed a five-year extension with the deals carrying a $1.8 million average annual value. While the money isn't significant, the Flyers would likely have been reluctant to go with that long of a term.

The veteran posted a .908 save percentage last season with New Jersey and will remain Jacob Markström’s backup with the Devils. Other UFA goalies the Flyers could target include Anton Forsberg and Ilya Samsonov.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 9:19am

Flyers interested in landing Corey Perry?

Could the Flyers make a push to land veteran scorer Corey Perry?

With NHL free agency fast approaching, it's looking the 40-year-old winger will end up becoming a free agent due to the Edmonton Oilers' salary cap issues.

Among the teams reportedly interested in landing Perry are the Flyers, according to Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, though he noted he was "not sure of the likelihood."

OnPattison's Anthony San Filippo also reported the Flyers were "pushing hard" to land Perry, but could be stymied by his attempt to play for a competitor.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 7:46am

Top free-agent targets for the Flyers

No rest for the weary.

Now that the NHL draft has come and gone and the future of the Flyers is here, it’s time to quickly turn the page and begin building for the here and now.

NHL free agency begins Tuesday at noon, and the Rick Tocchet era officially gets underway as general manager Danny Brière begins in earnest to build out his roster. Here are some names The Inquirer thinks the Orange and Black will focus on when free agency begins.

Maxim Shabanov, F: Could the Flyers get the hottest import on July 1? The organization is considered to be in the running for the speedy winger who finished third in the Kontinental Hockey League with 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 games for Traktor Chelyabinsk this season.
Anton Forsberg, G: The Swedish netminder, 32, would come in at a cheaper price than Allen and could be a solid mentor for Ersson while also pushing the Flyers goalie as his direct competition for a spot on Sweden’s Olympic squad.
Pius Suter, C: The Flyers need more depth down the middle, and Suter is a known commodity to Tocchet.
Bowen Byram, D: He is the only restricted free agent on this list, and Philly has been interested in the blueliner for a while. And if the Buffalo Sabres can’t get him inked to a new deal by today, there may be a chance for a team to swoop in and give him an offer sheet.
Adam Gaudette, C: The Flyers need a right-shot center, and Gaudette may just fit the bill in terms of need and cost.
Nick Bjugstad, C: The Flyers got bigger for the future through the draft, but the Utah center is huge at 6-5, 205 pounds.
Curtis Lazar, C: Injuries plagued Lazar this past season, but if the Flyers want a tough, right-shot veteran center for the fourth line who can also kill penalties, this is their guy.
Ryan Lindgren, D: The Flyers will be without rugged defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen for a while as he recovers from surgery, and the 6-foot, 194-pound Lindgren could easily slide into that role.
Cody Ceci, D: The reaction to this one may not be great, but he’s big (6-3), plays more than 20 minutes a night, is a righty and a penalty killer.
Joe Veleno, C: He’s not a right-shot, but Veleno does have some pop and could add some depth to the Flyers.
Tanner Jeannot, LW: Jeannot would add some depth and size (6-2) on the left wing, especially after a Flyers source said they are not giving Jakob Pelletier a qualifying offer.
Nate Schmidt, D: Schmidt could be that veteran guy Brière told The Inquirer he’d like to bring in, akin to Marc Staal and Erik Johnson the last two seasons.

Top free-agent targets for the Flyers: How would Jake Allen, Bowen Byram, or Maxim Shabanov fit in?

// Timestamp 07/01/25 7:40am

Flyers send Cam York a qualifying offer

The Flyers made a qualifying offer to defenseman Cam York to prevent him from turning into an unrestricted free agent this afternoon. The Flyers will now retain his negotiating rights.

According to Puckpedia, York, 24, was required to receive a qualifying offer of $1.6 million, the same as the two-year contract he signed in July 2023. After a breakout year in 2023-24, he struggled to find his game this past season after sustaining a shoulder injury in late October.

The defenseman who was a Flyers first-round draft pick in 2019 finished with 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and a plus-minus of minus-8 while playing an average of 20 minutes, 47 seconds across 66 regular-season games.

But he also had problems with former head coach John Tortorella, and it nearly came to blows in a heated argument two days before the bench boss’s firing. York took some of the blame for a down season, but had two assists in the final eight games under interim head coach Brad Shaw.

York may have also been one of the “untapped talents” new coach Rick Tocchet alluded to at his introductory press conference in May. After all, York put up career highs in goals (10), assists (20), points (30), power-play points (six), and time on ice (22:37) two seasons ago. The hope is that with a new bench boss, he can get back on track.

Flyers send Cam York a qualifying offer; Jakob Pelletier will become a free agent

// Timestamp 07/01/25 7:35am

Jakob Pelletier to become a free agent

While the Flyers made a qualifying offer to Cam York, they declined to make an offer to forward Jakob Pelletier, who now becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Pelletier, 24, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in late January as part of the deal that sent Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee west, did not receive a qualifying offer. The left winger was due for a slight raise from $800,000 to $840,000, according to Puckpedia.

The Quebec native played in 25 regular-season games for the Flyers, notching eight points (three goals, five assists). However, the numbers are a bit misleading. Under Tortorella, he wasn’t given the best opportunity and had three assists while averaging 9:34 of ice time on the fourth line across 16 games.

When Shaw took over, Pelletier skated higher in the lineup — thus getting more ice time (12:12).

// Timestamp 07/01/25 7:30am

Despite turnaround season, Zayde Wisdom didn't receive qualifying offer

Forwards Zayde Wisdom and Elliot Desnoyers played in Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League last season and did not receive qualifying offers. Wisdom and Desnoyers were each due a minimum qualifying offer of $813,750, according to Puckpedia.

Not qualifying Wisdom is a little surprising. The Ontario native, who turns 23 next week, had a turnaround season for the Phantoms. In 2023-24, he had just three points in 49 games for Lehigh Valley.

This season, Wisdom had his best year as a pro, potting 13 goals — including two shorthanded goals and three game-winners — and 32 points in 68 regular-season games. He added another three goals (two shorthanded again) and four points in seven playoff games.

Desnoyers, skating in his third pro season, had a drop in production. Last season, the 23-year-old was highly touted and often mentioned by Flyers brass as someone on the right track.

But after starting his career with 44 points (23 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games in 2022-23 — the same year he made his NHL debut and played in four games — his slide continued and bottomed out to 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 59 regular-season games this past season. He had one assist in four playoff games.

2025 NHL free agency, explained

With the NHL draft in the rear-view mirror, all attention now moves to free agency and who the Flyers might be targeting.

The NHL's free agency period begins Tuesday at noon Philly time, with unrestricted free agents free to sign with teams across the league.

Here's how the NHL breaks down its unrestricted free agents:

Group 3: Player is 27 years or older or has accrued 7+ NHL seasons. The most common type of unrestricted free agent.
Group 6: Player is 25 years or older, has played three or more professional seasons, and has played less than 80 NHL games (28 for goalies).

A restricted free agent is a player who received a qualifying offer from their team and who doesn't meet the unrestricted free agent requirements or are no longer considered entry-level. Other teams can offer these players offer sheets, which their current team can choose to match.

The salary cap for the 2025-26 season is $95.5 million. The Flyers are projected to have about $15.1 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia, which tracks NHL contracts and salaries.

// Timestamp 07/01/25 7:25am

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