The Flyers’ rough start has already turned up the heat, and now a new possibility has landed right in the middle of it: a chance to chase Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
Through three games, Philadelphia has dropped all three and looked out of sync against divisional opponents, getting outplayed and out-shot in each one. The group has not resembled a team ready to push into perennial playoff territory.
There have been a couple of bright spots, though. Joseph Woll has stood out, and Matvei Michkov looked more like himself Saturday night against Carolina after being put back alongside Travis Konecny.
That same night, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet’s “Saturday Headlines” that Edvinsson now prefers a move away from the Red Wings as his contract situation drags on into the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
"The team and the agents are not talking, but there is word today around the league that unsigned Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson prefers a trade from the Red Wings. He went to camp with no contract. On the eve of the season, he went back to Sweden, where's skating now," Friedman said on Sportsnet's "Saturday Headlines" segment.
"Now, I understand the Red Wings have made it clear to other teams that their priority is still to sign him. That is their No. 1 goal, but apparently his frustration at the entire situation has led him to indicate he would prefer a trade."
For the Flyers, that kind of development has to catch their attention. Philadelphia spent the offseason trying to land a defense upgrade, but nothing came together. The Leo Carlsson offer sheet chase passed without a payoff, leaving the team with little to show for its efforts.
Edvinsson would fit the bill as a major swing. At 23, the 6-foot-6 former No. 6 overall pick has put up 16 goals and 56 points over the last two seasons and has become a top-pair partner for Moritz Seider in Detroit. He brings the kind of size and versatility that could fit next to a player like Travis Sanheim.
That need feels sharper now with the Flyers giving up scoring chances at a steady clip in their first three games and with Rasmus Ristolainen injured. If Philadelphia wants to steady the back end before the problems snowball, this is the kind of move that could do it.
The Flyers also have pieces to work with. Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster, Cam York and Jamie Drysdale all do not have trade protection, and Philadelphia has a stockpile of draft picks and prospects it can use in a deal. Detroit has reportedly been looking for assets that can help right away, so there is at least a workable path if the Flyers decide to make a real push.
After a dreary opening to the season, the opportunity is there for Philadelphia to act, upgrade the blue line and send a clear message that it is not planning to sit still.
In Other News...
Flyers Make A Tough Lineup Call As Barkey Returns
Denver Barkey is on track to give the Flyers another look against Tampa Bay, with the young forward expected to make his season debut after working back from a lower-body injury. Rick Tocchet confirmed Barkey is likely to play and pointed to the qualities that make him intriguing for this roster, especially his hockey sense and ability to create offense. It is the kind of return that can quietly shift the feel of a lineup, particularly for a team still sorting out which young pieces are ready for bigger minutes.
The move also comes with a tough decision elsewhere, as Alex Bump is expected to come out of the lineup to make room. For a club trying to balance development with immediate performance, those calls can say plenty about where the staff sees its depth chart right now. Dan Vladar will also be back in goal for his second start of the season, adding another layer to a game that will offer a clearer picture of how the Flyers want to line up as Barkey re-enters the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Linked To A Young Defenseman Worth A Bold Push
Contract talks in Detroit have turned into one of the more closely watched subplot lines of the offseason, and a young defenseman with size and upside is now at the center of it. Philadelphia is among the teams reportedly monitoring the situation, with the kind of blue-line profile that tends to draw attention if it becomes available.
Simon Edvinssons frustration with his contract negotiations has opened the door to the possibility of a move, even as the Red Wings still want to work something out. Seattle and Pittsburgh are also said to be in the mix, which means any team serious about making a push may have to come in aggressively before Detroit is forced to decide whether to keep negotiating or listen more seriously to outside interest. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Get Timely Boost Before Tampa Bay But Two Statuses Loom
The Flyers got a little healthier at the right time as they prepared for Tampa Bay, with the latest injury report bringing some encouragement to a lineup that has had to absorb its share of bumps. Denver Barkey appears close to returning from a lower-body injury, and his progress gives Philadelphia another option as it looks to sharpen its depth for a tough matchup.
There is still some uncertainty, though, because Rasmus Ristolainen remains in the mix after leaving a recent game with a hand issue. Barkeys possible return also comes with a procedural wrinkle, since he would have to come off injured reserve first, which could mean a corresponding roster move before he is available. [Read more 🡒]