The Philadelphia Flyers are coming off an impressive 2025-26 campaign. Under head coach Rick Tocchet, the Flyers returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. A long and arduous rebuild was finally over. Now, they had to build on this performance in the offseason.
The Flyers made it to the second round, where they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes. Philadelphia went for broke this offseason trying to improve the team. And that is sort of literal. No team made a bigger impact this summer than the Flyers, even if their move ultimately failed to come to pass.
Philadelphia signed Leo Carlsson to a $90 million offer sheet shortly before July 4. This single move shook up the entire offseason. At the time, Carlsson was set to become the highest-paid player in the NHL for the foreseeable future. Since then, two other players have taken up that mantle. Many others have been paid handsomely as a result.
The Anaheim Ducks matched this offer, but the impact was certainly felt. Philadelphia did not attempt another major splash this summer. But they did make some intriguing moves. The door is always open for that bigger move down the line. This summer has raised some important questions, as well.
Can Trevor Zegras keep it up?
The Flyers signed Trevor Zegras after striking out for Carlsson. Philadelphia signed its young center to a four-year contract that pays him a little more than $9 million a season. It's a huge investment to make following one successful season.
Still, it was an incredible season from Zegras. He was one of the team's best players. Most importantly, he was healthy. The 2025-26 campaign was the second time he played 80+ games in a single season. Everything went right for Zegras last season.
The obvious question here is whether he can do it again. Can he string together healthy and productive seasons for the Flyers? Can he pay off the faith Philadelphia has placed in him? His successes will be crucial in determining how this team performs coming up in 2026-27.
Will Matvei Michkov rebound?
Article Continues BelowMatvei Michkov is one of the most hyped prospects in recent memory. If he weren't Russian, there is a chance he would have been first overall in the 2023 NHL Draft instead of Connor Bedard. However, the Russian aspect complicated matters in this geopolitical climate.
Michkov had a ton of hype when he came over to the United States. But things tapered off a bit in 2025-26. He seemed at odds with the Flyers, more specifically, Rick Tocchet. Everyone tried to downplay things to the media. But rumors and speculation continued to grow.
It wasn't as if Michkov was bad last year, but everyone expected more. Can he find that next gear this coming season? Or is his time in Philadelphia shorter than anyone envisioned?
How will Joseph Woll play after Flyers-Maple Leafs trade?
One addition the Flyers did make was in goal. The Flyers traded for Joseph Woll in an intriguing trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Woll has shown flashes in Toronto. But with a new front office coming in, the team elected to move on.
The Flyers did struggle with consistent goaltending in 2025-26. Dan Vladar was a successful signing from last summer and did well when he played. However, Samuel Ersson was so inconsistent that the team couldn't fully trust him when it was time for Vladar to rest.
Ersson was included in this trade, so he is no longer in Philadelphia. It will be Vladar and Woll manning the crease for the Flyers. Can Woll give that needed insurance behind Vladar? Can he become more of a 1B than a secondary option? His performance will be important for the Flyers in 2026-27.