The Bruins and Flyers were nearly dead even last season, and this summer pushed the comparison in a direction that favors Philadelphia just a little more.
Boston finished 45-27-10 for 100 points. Philadelphia wasn’t far behind at 43-27-12 for 98.
Both clubs got into the playoffs, but the way they attacked the 2026 offseason told two different stories. The Flyers leaned into youth, continuity, and a much clearer answer in goal.
The Bruins went after more scoring skill and added some help on the back end.
Philadelphia’s biggest swing came in net. The Flyers acquired Joseph Woll, along with D Simon Benoit, from Toronto in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a third-round pick. That move gives them a stronger tandem with Dan Vladar, who also received a long-term extension.
They also made a point of keeping their young core together. Trevor Zegras was re-signed as an RFA for four years at roughly $9.125 million per year, Jamie Drysdale got a four-year deal worth $6.5 million annually, and Tyson Foerster was extended long-term as well.
Beyond the headline names, the Flyers kept building out the roster in practical ways. Noel Acciari was added on a two-year deal to help the bottom six and on faceoffs, Zach Aston-Reese joined among the depth additions, and the club drafted big defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii after trading down.
That all fits a team that already has a promising group coming through. Matvei Michkov, Porter Martone, Zegras, Owen Tippett, and others continue to move forward under Rick Tocchet, while David Jiricek also fits into the defensive mix. After a surprise playoff run that included a first-round win over Pittsburgh and a second-round loss to Carolina, Philadelphia’s offseason looked like an attempt to tighten the screws without losing what makes the group interesting.
Boston took a different route, but it was still a meaningful one. The Bruins landed JJ Peterka from Utah for the 2026 first-round pick at No. 23 and a conditional 2028 first-rounder. At 24, Peterka brings speed, skill, and recent 25-goal production, and he gives the top six another weapon next to David Pastrnak.
The Bruins also added to the blue line. They traded for Will Borgen, signed Connor Clifton for two years at $2.25 million, and moved backup Joonas Korpisalo, opening the door for Michael DiPietro behind Jeremy Swayman.
There were departures, too. Viktor Arvidsson signed elsewhere, and Andrew Peeke left in free agency.
Even with those losses, Boston still has a strong core in place with Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Swayman, Morgan Geekie, and the rest. Peterka helps with exactly what the Bruins needed most: more secondary offense and more speed.
But when you stack the two offseasons side by side, Philadelphia’s looks a touch more complete. The Flyers added stability in goal, kept their young pieces on reasonable deals, and continued to build around a rising core. Boston made a real impact with Peterka and improved its depth, but it didn’t reshape the roster quite as much relative to its needs.
The gap is still close. Injuries, chemistry, and development will matter plenty once the games start.
And the Bruins still have the more proven star power. But heading into 2026-27, the Flyers look like they’ve closed the distance - and maybe nudged ahead - on paper.
In Other News...
Flyers May Be Looking In House At A Crucial Roster Need
The Flyers search for more help down the middle may not have to start outside the organization. As the club continues leaning into its youth movement with players like Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov in the mix for next season, Rick Tocchet has shown a willingness to explore whether Denver Barkey can be part of the solution at center rather than strictly as a winger.
Barkey already got some time there during the regular season and carried that role into the playoffs, giving the staff another look at how he handles the demands of the position. For a Flyers team trying to build depth without blocking its younger talent, the question now is less about whether Barkey has enough skill to be considered and more about how far the team is willing to push him into a more crucial role. [Read more 🡒]
Noah Powell Enters A Crucial Flyers Season Without A Clear Role
Noah Powells move into pro hockey has already taken him on a winding path, from college and OHL stops to his first look with the Phantoms. The early signs were encouraging enough to show why the Flyers have reason to keep an eye on him, but like plenty of young forwards making the jump to the AHL, the adjustment has not been seamless. He has had moments that hint at real upside, and he has also had the kinds of stretches that remind everyone how steep the climb can be.
What makes this season so important is that the next step is less about raw talent than about clarity. The staff wants to see him settle into the AHL game and carve out a dependable identity, whether that ends up being as a hard-working checker or a more attack-minded forward. For a player still trying to define what he is at this level, the coming months should say a lot about where he fits in the Flyers longer-term picture. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Leave One Small Training Camp Battle Quietly Unsettled
With training camp approaching, the Flyers appear to be leaning toward a quieter, more internal look at the roster rather than adding outside competition on professional tryouts. It is a practical approach for a team trying to sort out its depth without cluttering the picture, especially with the preseason shortened and several battles likely to play out among players already in the organization.
Philadelphia could still alter course if the right opportunity surfaces, but for now the camp plan is centered on what the Flyers already have in house. Around the league, there has also been no shortage of unresolved business elsewhere, from Shane Wrights trade-request situation in Seattle to the surprise that Jake DeBrusk stayed put in Vancouver, reminders that this time of year often leaves just as many questions as answers. [Read more 🡒]