The Flyers may be done spending for the summer, but they’re not done thinking big.
That’s the read on Philadelphia’s front office as Danny Briere keeps a healthy pile of cap space in reserve - just under $15 million - in case the right opportunity suddenly opens up. The idea isn’t that a major move is imminent. It’s that the Flyers want to be ready if the impossible somehow becomes possible, the kind of scenario involving a Connor McDavid or an Auston Matthews.
There’s also a contract question looming over Matvei Michkov, and it could get expensive if his game takes the next step. Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff noted in a mailbag that Briere has leaned on bridge deals with players coming off their entry-level contracts, pointing to Tyson Foerster and Owen Tippett.
Michkov has a higher ceiling than either player, but he’s coming off a sophomore slump. If he rebounds and settles into the 70 to a point-a-game range, Di Marco said he could get close to $10 million on either a bridge or long-term deal.
In Detroit, the GM search has been moving at a slower, quieter pace.
Max Bultman of The Athletic reported that things around the Red Wings’ search are still pretty calm, even though it’s the middle of the offseason. The sense is that the team is taking a thorough approach and won’t rush into a decision.
That matters because the next GM will walk into a few important issues right away. Simon Edvinsson still needs a contract, and there’s also the Dylan Larkin situation to sort through. Steve Yzerman remains in charge of the day-to-day hockey operations for now, but the plan is for the next GM to be the one making the bigger calls.
Bultman also said it’s possible Detroit looks at a candidate with a data background. Among the names mentioned were Sam Ventura of the Sabres, Tyler Dellow of the Hurricanes, and Brett Petterson of the Panthers. Shawn Horcoff is also in the mix as an internal candidate.
There’s more work ahead beyond that, too. Alex DeBrincat has one year left on his contract and is extension eligible, but Bultman noted that decision would fall to the next GM, since there’s still time to sort it out. The same goes for whether that person tries to keep Larkin in place or eventually moves on.
In Other News...
Flyers Suddenly Have A Goaltending Strength Fans Can Believe In
Dan Vladars rise gave the Flyers something they have not always had in recent seasons: a goalie they could lean on with some confidence. After taking over as Philadelphias top netminder last year, Vladar handled a heavy workload and gave the club steady results, posting a .908 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average across 52 games. For a team that has spent too much time searching for stability in the crease, that kind of season matters.
Joseph Woll is now in the mix, arriving from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2026 NHL Draft to back up Vladar and give Philadelphia a more complete tandem. Wolls most recent season was a step back, but the Flyers are banking on the stretches earlier in his career when he showed he can be a reliable NHL goalie. If he finds that form again, Philadelphias biggest question in goal could suddenly look like one of its more believable strengths. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Quiet Offseason Could Open The Door For A Familiar Camp Move
The Flyers have kept their summer relatively quiet, adding mostly depth pieces in free agency and bringing in veteran fourth-liner Noel Acciari along with a group of AHL signings. For a team still sorting through the edges of its roster, that kind of restrained approach does not necessarily mean the job is done. It often means the real maneuvering comes later, when training camp gets closer and teams start looking for low-risk ways to patch holes and create competition.
Philadelphia is expected to lean on professional tryouts to do some of that work, and a familiar list of veterans is already in the conversation. Kevin Hayes could make sense for a return to a place where he knows the room, while Luke Glendening and John Klingberg fit the broader need for experienced depth on a roster that still has some uncertainty behind the top names. Injuries and camp performances can change the picture quickly, but the Flyers look like a club that may still have one more practical roster move left before the season really starts. [Read more 🡒]