An Overview Of Philadelphia Flyers' Unrestricted Free Agents
As of late January 2026, the Flyers' pending UFAs for July 1, 2026, primarily consist of depth forwards and defensemen acquired in recent offseasons or trades. The team has already secured key pieces like center Christian Dvorak (extended to a five-year deal in early 2026) and focused on retaining or managing restricted free agents (RFAs) such as Trevor Zegras, Bobby Brink, Jamie Drysdale, Samuel Ersson, and Emil Andrae.
Key Pending Unrestricted Free Agents for 2026
The Flyers' notable pending UFAs after the 2025-26 season include:
Nicolas Deslauriers (LW) — A veteran enforcer and physical presence, Deslauriers has provided grit and energy on the fourth line. At around 35-36 years old by summer 2026, his future likely depends on performance and team needs for toughness.
Noah Juulsen (D) — Signed as a depth defenseman (one-year deal in 2025 offseason), Juulsen offers right-shot stability and bottom-pairing reliability. He's a low-cost option the Flyers could re-sign affordably or allow to test the market.
Carl Grundström (LW) — Acquired via trade (in a deal involving Ryan Ellis), Grundström brings bottom-six forward depth with some scoring touch. His status as a pending UFA makes him a potential trade chip at the 2026 deadline or a short-term re-sign candidate.
Rodrigo Abols (C) — A lesser-known depth forward, Abols has seen limited NHL action but provides organizational forward options. He's unlikely to command significant attention in free agency.
These players are largely supplementary pieces rather than core contributors. The Flyers' top earners and foundational players—like Travis Konecny (UFA in 2033), Sean Couturier (UFA in 2030), and Owen Tippett (UFA in 2032)—remain locked in long-term, while many younger impact players (e.g., Zegras, Brink) are RFAs in 2026 and thus under team control.
- Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network
Context and Expectations for the 2026 Offseason
The Flyers initially hoped for a splashy 2026 UFA class, with early speculation centering on stars like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, and Kyle Connor. However, many of those elite names signed extensions well in advance, thinning the top-end market dramatically. By late 2025, reports indicated the class lacked "difference-makers" in their prime, leaving the Flyers—and many teams—without obvious blockbuster targets. One remaining high-profile UFA mentioned in connection with Philadelphia was Artemi Panarin, but even that appears speculative.
Instead, GM Danny Briere's approach emphasizes building through trades (e.g., the successful Zegras acquisition), internal development, and the draft. The 2026 summer may involve modest re-signings for depth UFAs like Juulsen or Deslauriers, potential trades of expiring contracts for assets, and heavy focus on RFA negotiations (particularly Zegras, who has thrived in Philadelphia and expressed desire to stay).
With projected cap flexibility in future years (though tempered by retained hits and rising costs for RFAs), the Flyers are positioned for incremental improvements rather than a massive free-agent overhaul. The 2026 UFA group for Philadelphia is best described as functional depth—players who contribute reliably but aren't expected to redefine the roster.
As the season progresses toward the trade deadline and beyond, expect Briere to prioritize playoff contention if feasible, or asset accumulation if not, setting the stage for a measured but strategic 2026 offseason.
- Jesse Bell/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network
