Are the Philadelphia Flyers a destination organization again?
It’s a question worth asking out loud. Porter Martone just made an immediate impact on a playoff push. The prospect pool is loaded. The culture is changing. And this summer, three of the most compelling RFA situations in the entire NHL are about to play out — with the Flyers theoretically capable of inserting themselves into any one of them.
Jason Robertson is reportedly at a contract impasse with Dallas. The Stars have a reported $12M AAV red line — and insiders have already floated that a trade is on the table if a deal can’t get done.
Adam Fantilli just finished his entry-level deal in Columbus after posting 59 points and establishing himself as the Blue Jackets’ franchise center — but Columbus has never had to pay a player of this caliber before.
Leo Carlsson had 67 points in 70 games for Anaheim at 21 years old, with offer-sheet buzz already circling and a potential $11M+ price tag that tests the Ducks’ cap flexibility.
In this episode, we ask the big question: are the Flyers back in the conversation as a place elite players want to be — and could any of these RFA situations actually land in Philadelphia?
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If this forward group next year they ain’t making playoffs
First Zegras and Jammy .Offer Dorofeyev and Perfetti .Robertson Fantilli and Carlsson not realistic.
Not yet, Jimmy.
These playoffs have shown that you win series & advance when your team dictates how each game is played. Carolina established their game and swept us.
Vegas lives on limiting (blocking in VGKs case) shots, protecting the slot & scoring off the counter. That is what Tocchet wants to do. We just have a few holes to fill before we are good enough to impose our will each spring.
Double down on our structure. Use the next 2 drafts to really build a deep team.
Sign a big RFA July 1st 2027. Our prospect cupboard should be producing yearly & be well stocked for the long haul.
And there are RFAs to sign to a OS every summer…just wait for Martone & Michkov to become more of a finished product before doing so.
This year put the league on notice. The Flyers are back baby! In case you didn’t know, the hockey players ALL know each other. The coaches know each other. “IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME.” The late Terrance Mann.
It’s all a pipe dream. 😂 They’re going to run it back with almost the same team. Flyers 2028’ 🏆🎉
Do you think Bonk, 2028 1st, and Cates/foerester would work to get Fantilli or Carlsson? Thomas is a big step up but we’ve seen the ceiling, Fantilli and Carlsson fit the timeline and they’re great already with an unidentified potential
Even if they don’t get a franchise C, I would be happy if they acquired a C that pushed everyone down a line.
If 40-45pts Cates is centering a 4th line of Coots and Barkey/Grebenkin that would be improvement. If 45-50 pt Dvorak is your 3C and 65-70 pt Zegras is your 2C and a solid 60-70 pt 200 ft center is your 1C that would be a big improvement. (McTavish or Thomas)
Martone Zegras Michkov
Tippett Dvorak Konect-LESS
Barkey Cates Bump
Wilson-Glendenning Coots (Bring Back Deslauriers)
They aren’t offer sheeting big names. The cost is insane and you’ll get black balled that way. We’ll likely have to overpay a bit for a guy like Thomas.
I would go after Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Carolina would pay you to take him . Take him on as a reclamation project .
Then I would RFA Robertson .
JVR and Kevin Hayes are both bad contracts. JVR got all his goals on power play it was a joke around the entire league. Kevin Hayes had one 20 goal season and then got hurt like he does. He holds onto the puck more then I ever seem. And was given a 8 year deal I think for 15 goals a season and JVR give in 5 years against Hextall pleaded not to. Next year Hextall got fired th
Sign Darth Vlader and Big Z to 5 years at whatever it takes
Love to Draft Oscar Hemming a true Left handed LW. With size and speed. But I’ll settle for Malte Guffstavson
I do not care if its its rarely done but I would offer sheet Leo Carlson & Fantilli this summer with the cleared cap space we been dying to clear for he past 5 yrs!!! Hey if if its matched than who cares but at least we gave it our best shot and fired a bullet in hopes of landing our future young 1C!!! I wouldn't O/S any older wingers inc JROB who I like a lot but doesn't match the timeline age-wise and position of need-wise!!!
U would send Tyson Forester away are you serious. Need that Defense. This kid all around game is amazing
We have been rebuilding for years. It only takes 1 bad move to ruin those years of work. Don’t force it & wait for the right piece to become available. I don’t mind trading, like see what Fantilli would cost in trade instead of the offer sheet route, or wait on Anaheim & Verbeek to lose his mind because Carlsson doesn’t agree to a contract Verbeek wants him to sign by camp. That’s how we ended up with Drysdale & Zegras. They were camp holdouts because Verbeek tried to low ball him. Drysdale was gone within a few months & Zegras got demoted to the 3rd line wing, and a lot of bad blood came about. Zegras gets traded that offseason. Patience is key & a move will fall in your lap without forcing it. Foerster would be one of the top wingers I would move as far as established pieces.
I definitely wouldn’t offer sheet Carlsson because there is a real good working relationship between the 2 franchises.
Jack, your entire argument for a center ignores the possibility that they just arnt able to match the asking price or that a player that the flyers want is even available. And if the flyers have to go into next season with this forward core, it's not the end of the world and it doesn't mean we are putting on anything. I expect this whole team to take a step next season with it without a move at center. Take those good vibes from end of last season, with a second year under tocchet. They know the system and the whole team bought in. How does this team do from the start knowing the expectations of the coaches. We know bump and Barkey have crazy work ethics, they got a taste of NHL playoffs. They know what they need to work on, what kinda step do they take? Same with Michkov, can he put in the work and can his game evolve and find a new level? Tippet like every year is consistency. Zegras, Tocchet was building him back and up to center. Z did well at center in the playoffs, this season was an eye opener for him and a return to loving the game and proving he can do it/return to form. He did that, now what? Take the next step Z. I believe he will.