Flyers 2026-27 Roster Projection 1.0: Welcoming 3 Newcomers

I have newly signed Trevor Zegras centering a top line alongside Tyson Foerster, who received an eight-year extension this summer, and Travis Konecny.

With Foerster healthy, this could be a decent top line. Zegras was excellent last season, recording 67 points in 81 games with a high-end all-around impact. He played much of the campaign on the wing, but shifting to center full-time seems likely.

Konecny remains a strong offensive contributor. He put up 68 points in 77 games on 19:05 of average ice time—a step down from his usage under head coach John Tortorella, but the numbers are about the same. Foerster, meanwhile, is a great two-way winger with a terrific shot, but he will need to improve his playmaking. The 24-year-old had 13 goals and four assists in 29 regular-season games.

The second line will be one to watch, primarily for rookie winger Porter Martone. The 19-year-old put on a show after signing his entry-level contract late last season, putting up 15 points in 19 regular-season and playoff contests. Keep in mind that the Flyers’ offense was limited in that postseason run. Suffice it to say, Martone will be a top Calder Trophy candidate.

Owen Tippett had his most mature season to date, putting up 28 goals and 51 points in 81 games while grading out positively at both ends of the ice. Christian Dvorak, who averaged a career-high 18:28 of ice time last season, could join them down the middle. He had 51 points in 80 games.

The left-wing spot on the third line may change (Denver Barkey?), but the assumption should be that Noah Cates and Matvei Michkov reunite. The former probably deserved more Selke Trophy consideration than he got, finishing 11^th in voting. The latter will be a major story after endless negative discourse surrounding him. But for all the talk, he put up a solid 51 points in 81 games with significantly improved defensive metrics. Finishing things off is Alex Bump, a 22-year-old who can bring an offensive spark.

The fourth line was a strength at the end of last season, and it got an upgrade with Noel Acciari, who signed a two-year deal worth $2.8 million annually. His defensive results were similar to Garnet Hathaway’s, whom the Flyers dumped, but his offense should be better.

Sean Couturier was a good defensive fourth-line center last season, and that should remain the case in 2026-27. To close things out, Barkey is a hardworking youngster who would ideally play higher in the lineup, but being alongside Couturier and Acciari wouldn’t be the worst thing.

I opted for two extra forwards, and they are Nikita Grebenkin and Carl Grundström. It’s unfortunate that the former has potentially lost his everyday lineup spot, but he’ll have the chance to earn it back once he signs a new contract. As for Grundström, he was a decent plug-in depth option last season, but he should only reenter the lineup if there are multiple injuries. Grebenkin, who is 23 years old, should get priority.

Forward Grade: B-

Flyers’ Defensive Pairings

Now, for the defense. It’s the same unit as last spring, but with Emil Andrae and Noah Juulsen subbed out (they moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche) and Simon Benoit and David Jiříček subbed in. Here are the pairings:

I have the Flyers running back their top pairing from the postseason: Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen. It’s pretty admirable that these two have gotten to this point after struggling in the recent past. Both have graded out very well over the past few seasons.

Cam York, 25 years old, is still looking for that next gear. At this point, it may never happen, but he’s serviceable in a second-pairing role. Jamie Drysdale, who is 24 years old, took a step, on the contrary. He’s looking for a full-fledged breakout in 2026-27 as a top-pairing guy. He needs a new contract, but the rumor is that it’ll be coming promptly.

The depth chart is a little iffy beyond Nick Seeler, who was again solid for the Orange and Black in 2025-26. Benoit, 27, and Jiříček, 22, were below NHL-caliber last season, but they’re fine in depth roles. The latter, in particular, should have more to give.

Oliver Bonk could certainly be an option here, but the Flyers may want him to get some more seasoning in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Defense Grade: C+

Flyers’ Goaltenders

The Flyers didn’t really upgrade their skaters this summer, but the goaltending received a bump. Here’s what the tandem is set to be:

This team will only go as far as its goaltending does. The front office is betting on 28-year-old Dan Vladař to be a starting option at least for the next few seasons, as he was extended to a five-year, $27.5 million deal on July 1. According to Evolving-Hockey, he ranked eighth in the league in wins above replacement (WAR), with 4.1.

Joseph Woll, the newcomer, was the goaltending upgrade this team needed. Despite taking a personal leave of absence to start the 2025-26 campaign, the 27-year-old was great, recording 1.3 WAR in 39 contests. For reference, Samuel Ersson, the Flyers’ backup last season, was at minus-1.6 WAR.

If you factor in Aleksei Kolosov’s four games with the team, the Flyers had 2.3 WAR between the pipes last season. Vladař and Woll had 5.4 WAR. So, this should be a great tandem.

Goaltending Grade: A-

Season Prediction: 92 Points, Miss Playoffs

With divisional rivals such as the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals taking big swings this summer and the Florida Panthers back to full health, the Flyers may regress in 2026-27. I have the team finishing with 92 points in the new 84-game format and missing the playoffs.

Fortunately, it doesn’t matter what I think. We’ll see how things shake out for real starting Sept. 30, 2026, at Xfinity Mobile Arena when the Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Advanced stats courtesy of Evolving-Hockey