Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Brière has already entered the trade market twice this offseason and fulfilled his drafting responsibilities last weekend. Attention now turns to free agency, as the first major deadline arrives on Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern, when qualifying offers must be submitted.
During the last decade, the NHL salary cap was tight, and several capable players slipped into unrestricted free agency. Dylan Strome exemplifies this trend; after the Chicago Blackhawks declined his qualifying offer in 2022, he posted his best seasons in Washington, reaching a point‑per‑game pace in 2024‑25.
Although such a scenario may repeat—Matias Maccelli was left off the Toronto Maple Leafs’ list after a 39‑point season and a 57‑point campaign in Arizona—such moves seem less likely today. Thankfully, the Flyers face relatively uncomplicated decisions, though they have addressed key positions for the upcoming season.
Who Was Qualified
Philadelphia currently holds two of the NHL’s leading restricted free agents. Trevor Zegras, who tallied 67 points in his first season, ranks tied for fourth‑highest scoring RFA league‑wide. His continued presence remains a focal point for the organization, as the emphasis is on retaining him rather than pursuing alternate options.
Among defensemen, Alexander Nikishin slightly outpaced Jamie Drysdale’s 32 points, and only by one. Nikishin’s estimated salary—around $8 million according to The Athletic—could prompt a trade, especially if Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky can secure John Carlson after acquiring his UFA rights.
Nikishin’s play‑off ring brings additional leverage, but Drysdale has also proven formidable by increasing his average ice time and posting a career‑best eight goals, with five after February and another two in the playoffs.
The Flyers have also assessed the prospects of keeping Nikita Grebenkin and Hunter McDonald. Grebenkin, who notched 14 points in 55 games, showed moments of promise but remains uncertain following his absence from the final 21 games, including the playoffs. The 23‑year‑old’s health for training camp is a concern, though his 62‑game NHL career positions him as a seasoned forward relative to his younger teammates.
McDonald’s points‑per‑game ranking places him 78th in NHL history, yet offense remains outside his core skill set. With Maxim Sokolovskii expected in the first round, the organization may prioritize other assets.
Both Grebenkin and McDonald could accept qualifying offers—one‑year contracts just below $900,000—providing the Flyers with time to negotiate more substantial terms for Zegras and Drysdale. While they are eligible for arbitration, the organization would likely prefer to resolve matters without entering that process.
Who Wasn’t Qualified
The Flyers will not lose any high‑profile talent. None of their six unqualified RFAs appeared in 2025‑26 for Philadelphia, though two have prior NHL experience and four were acquired through mid‑season trades.
Philip Tomasino stands out as the sole player who fits both criteria. Drafted first round by the Nashville Predators in 2019, he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins two seasons ago and then sent to the Flyers for Egor Zamula. Tomasino recorded three 20‑point seasons and was productive in the Philadelphia farm system, yet the team elected not to extend a qualifying offer.
Similarly, Karsen Dorwart, signed as an undrafted free agent from Michigan State, played only five games in Philadelphia last season and posted fewer points in 70 games than Tomasino did in 38. Though he is only a year younger, his performance did not warrant a long‑term role.
Christian Kyrou, acquired from the Dallas Stars for Samu Tuomaala, posted 34 points in 55 games for the Phantoms but did not secure a permanent spot in Philadelphia’s depth chart. Tuomaala, likewise, was excluded from Dallas’s qualifying list.
Tucker Robertson, obtained from the Seattle Kraken for J.R. Avon, shares a similar profile to Dorwart and stands on the verge of free agency. Brett Harrison, a product of a minor‑league exchange with the Boston Bruins, accumulated 21 points across both teams’ AHL affiliates but remains a fringe NHL asset.
Artem Guryev, part of the trade that dissolved Ryan Ellis’s contract with the San Jose Sharks, provided the Flyers with a useful NHL player, though Carl Grundström—currently likely to become an unrestricted free agent—remains an option in organizational decisions.
What Happens Now?
Tomasino, Dorwart, Kyrou, Robertson, Harrison, and Guryev will become unrestricted free agents on July 1. While it is common for players in such situations to re‑sign with their original club, there is no obligation for either side to do so.
There are few additional unqualified RFAs the Flyers should pursue. With only four players who left unqualified after exceeding 20 points—Maccelli, Philipp Kurashev, Jonathan Berggren, and Bobby Brink—none present an obvious fit for a roster already dense with forward talent.
