The Winnipeg Jets have put Brad Lambert on waivers, and that opens the door for the Philadelphia Flyers to take a swing at a former first-round pick who once looked like a real offensive bet.
Lambert, 22, was selected 30th overall by Winnipeg in the 2022 NHL Draft after coming out of the Finnish Liiga. He spent his D+1 season with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL and entered the Jets organization with the kind of profile that gets teams dreaming: speed, skating, skill and the upside to become a dangerous scorer.
For a while, it looked like that promise might start to show. Lambert put together a strong AHL season in 2023-24, posting 21 goals and 55 points in 64 games.
But since then, the momentum has faded. He got NHL looks, but never really managed to stick.
Winnipeg eventually made him available in trade discussions as a player looking for a clearer path to an NHL role, but nothing came together and he stayed put.
Now the situation has changed. Any of the 31 NHL teams can claim him by 2 PM on Wednesday, or work out a trade before then.
For the Flyers, the appeal is obvious. It would cost them nothing to put in a claim, and Lambert’s value is as low as it’s likely to get. Philadelphia has been searching for help down the middle, and this is the kind of low-risk move that fits that need.
The roster timing also works. The Flyers opened a spot on Monday when they loaned Alex Bump back to the AHL. If they wanted Lambert to spend more time in the minors learning their system, that would be a tougher route, since he’d have to clear waivers.
This season, Lambert has played 11 games for Winnipeg and has one assist. In 42 career NHL games, he has 3 goals and 9 points.
That’s not much production, and it’s a big reason he’s on waivers in the first place. But for Philadelphia, this would be less about buying a finished product and more about trying to revive a player who still has some talent left in the tank.
The Flyers could also look at him on the wing if needed. He’s listed at 6-foot-0, and the team could sort out where he fits after the fact.
In the end, it comes down to a simple calculation: the Flyers could add a young former top prospect for essentially nothing. If it clicks, they’ve found a center with upside. If it doesn’t, they can move on without much damage.
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For a franchise that has long leaned on one of the leagues most recognizable color schemes, any departure is bound to get attention, and this one is no exception. The jersey will be available through official team and Fanatics channels, giving fans a chance to decide quickly whether the new style feels like a fresh nod to the city or a sharp break from tradition. [Read more 🡒]