The Flyers’ offseason has a little bit of everything right now: a possible Calder Trophy chase, a development move that shuts the door on one prospect’s NHL push, and even another look at whether Philadelphia should take a swing on a major offer sheet.
Start with Porter Martone, because he’s the name that jumps off the page. The Flyers have never had a Calder Trophy winner in their long history, but this season could give them their best shot yet.
Martone turned heads in his first NHL action, and he’s now the early favorite to win the award. The question is what he has to do from here to actually finish the job.
Another Flyers prospect, Jack Berglund, won’t be in the mix for a roster spot after all. He had been viewed as someone who could make a push after a brief AHL stint to close last season, but that path is now gone. Philadelphia has loaned him back to Farjestad BK for the full next season.
There’s also the bigger-picture roster question that keeps popping up: should the Flyers get aggressive and make an offer sheet for Adam Fantilli? Columbus and Fantilli remain apart on a new contract, and the idea of Philadelphia jumping in to pursue another young potential 1C is back on the table. The discussion is really about whether the reward is worth the risk.
And then there’s Travis Sanheim, who keeps stacking up respect without getting the full recognition. He’s been a true top-pair defenseman for the Flyers for some time now, and over the last two seasons he’s also made an impression for Canada at 4 Nations and the Olympics.
Still, he’s left off the Top-20 defenseman lists. That’s the kind of omission that makes you wonder whether Sanheim was snubbed.
Around the league, trade talk and roster maneuvering are still humming. The Ottawa Senators released draft-day war room video from the 2026 NHL Draft, and GM Steve Staios mentioned multiple trade paths the club could have explored.
One option that stood out was a “roster player” from Pittsburgh, though the player was never identified. Dan Kingerski dug through the clues to narrow down who it might have been.
In Boston, the focus is on expectations versus odds. The Bruins are trying to make another push for the postseason in the 2026-27 season, but the oddsmakers don’t like their chances. Jack Studley laid out where the books have Boston headed this year.
Calgary may be sitting on a defense logjam. The Flames have a pile of left-shot defensemen, and while Daniel Austin doesn’t expect a flood of trades, he does think a few moves could happen before the season starts. That leaves open the possibility that a defender gets dealt.
Out in Anaheim, the Flyers’ earlier move with Leo Carlsson is still having ripple effects. NHLTradeRumors.Me noted that the offer sheet put the Ducks in a bind and helped drive up the price tag for Cutter Gauthier. With that new bill coming due, Anaheim may need to clear space, and salary dumps are expected.
And in Columbus, Zach Werenski’s trade saga has now come full circle. He first wanted out, then a trade was agreed to, but he used his no-trade clause to stay put.
Since then, he’s pulled back his trade request and said he wants to remain with the Blue Jackets. He has now spoken to the media about the whole situation.
In Other News...
Devils Future Goalie Picture Just Got More Intriguing Overseas
The Flyers are keeping much of their defensive picture intact heading into the new season, and that leaves the spotlight on the young players trying to break through. David Jiek and Oliver Bonk are expected to be in the mix for roster spots, which gives Philadelphia at least a little more clarity on the blue line even as the organization continues to sort out its long-term depth.
Across the league, New Jerseys goaltending future got a new layer of intrigue with Russian prospect Alexander Smolin acknowledging NHL interest, including from the Devils. For now, though, he prefers to stay in the KHL, which only adds to the uncertainty around when, or if, one of the more closely watched overseas goalie situations will move closer to a resolution. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Still Have A Prospect Worth Watching After His College Stall
The college free-agent market delivered a little movement for NHL teams this week, but the Flyers did manage to keep one of their recent draft picks in the mix. Six NCAA players became unrestricted free agents after going unsigned by the Aug. 15 deadline following their fourth year of undergraduate eligibility, and while that class included some notable names changing course, Philadelphia still has a prospect on the radar as his college path stalls.
Owen McLaughlins decision to sign an AHL contract with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms keeps him in the organization, giving the Flyers a closer look at where he stands against pro competition. Around the league, other unsigned college players remain on reserve lists or moved on to minor-league deals, which is a reminder that this deadline rarely ends the story for every draft pick. For Philadelphia, the bigger question now is how much upside still remains in a prospect who has yet to take the next step. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Still Have One Roster Weakness Fans Can't Ignore
The Flyers enter the 2026-27 season with plenty to like on the wings and in goal, but the middle of the ice still looks like the place where the lineup can be stressed the most. Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Noah Cates and Sean Couturier give Philadelphia some options down the middle, yet the group does not offer an obvious top-line center to anchor the attack the way contending teams usually do.
That shortcoming stood out because the Flyers spent the offseason looking for help at center and came up short, leaving the depth chart a little thinner than they would prefer. It also puts extra pressure on the roster to stay healthy, since there is not an immediate prospect ready to step into that role if the position gets hit by injuries or the current mix falls short. [Read more 🡒]