We’re just days away from the 2025 NHL draft and a week away from the start of free agency. On the heels of the shocking Trevor Zegras trade, the intensity around the Flyers making more changes is growing. But who will they be hunting? Let’s take a look at some of the names that could be next to don the orange and black!
Number 5: Morgan Geekie
There haven’t been any real rumors connecting the dots between the Flyers and Bruins regarding current restricted free agent forward Morgan Geekie, but he’s a guy that would make some level of sense for Danny Briere to circle in on. Not only did they just trade Ryan Poehling, so they’re probably looking for a flexible center who can play up and down the lineup with ease, but Geekie is also a right shot, which is kind of a big need in Philly, considering all of Trevor Zegras, Noah Cates and Sean Couturier are lefties.
The 26-year-old is someone who they can probably get for both a reasonable trade value and dollar amount on a new contract and should be a fine plug in a depth role with potential upside.
Number 4: Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen
The Flyers and Sabres have felt like natural trade partners for years now, but the exception of the Erik Johnson trade, nothing has ever become of it. But that could change in the 2025 offseason as both teams need big moves to shakeup stale products. One of the more intriguing names is 26-year-old goalie Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen. Trading UPL dominated the rumor mill earlier in the summer, but other names have since risen to the top like JJ Peterka and Bowen Byram.
The Flyers desperately need a new goalie, and Luukkonen is one of the youngest (26) and cheapest ($4.7 mil aav until 2029) of the available names in the rumor mill. A trade may not be painless, but it’s a cost that could be worth it if he can turn in statistics better than the league worst save percentage the Flyers have been rocking for the last two years.
Number 3: Aaron Ekblad
It’s still unclear whether or not the 29-year-old right-handed defenseman and reigning Stanley Cup champion makes it to free agency, but if he does, the Flyers need to heavily consider emptying the bank on this one.
Yeah, he is a bit older, but he’s still a minute-munching top right handed defenseman, which should still be high on the Flyers’ priority list this year, especially with the fate of Rasmus Ristolainen’s return from injury still unknown. He’s certainly bring some huge name value, and could serve as a great mentor for Oliver Bonk as well. You can argue (validly) that it may not be the time or the place for Ekblad, but it’s a pursuit that shows the Flyers’ front office is serious about change.
Number 2: Mikael Granlund
The Dallas Stars have worked themselves into quite a pickle financially, and that means that veteran forward Mikael Granlund could be making it to free agency. The 33-year-old isn’t a long-term fix at center, but he’s got plenty of experience and success on the San Jose Sharks roster over the last few seasons, which is a positive sign that he could show up and make an impact in Philly too. There’s probably going to be a bunch of Cup-caliber teams vying for his services, so he probably won’t come super cheap, but he’s easily the best option at center when it comes to the free agent market, thus he’s someone the Flyers should have interest in.
Number 1: Bowen Byram
Much like the UPL entry, the considerable amount of smoke between the Flyers and Sabres, and Byram is the player that has dominated the headlines. With Cam York’s status still unknown as of this writing, the natural connection between fellow young lefty Bowen Byram makese sense.
24 years old, left shot, 246 games of NHL experience plays about the same amount of ice time York does, particularly if it just ends up being a swap with York to give both players a change of scenery, it could be a simple but effective trade to make. Byram is probably a bit riskier of an addition that just keeping York, but interchanging them probably won’t be all that noticeable, and they get to say they made an extra move.
Honorable mention
Charlie Coyle
33-year-old Colorado Avalanche center Charlie Coyle certainly isn’t the sexiest name of all time, but he’s a pretty consistent, sturdy option at center, and only has one year left on his contract at a $5.2 million cap hit. A trade for him would largely depend on whether or not the Avs look to move him relatively cheap, because it doesn’t make sense for the Flyers to dump any considerable assets into this guy, but if they’re looking for a stopgap center, Coyle is high on the list of options.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
photo credit: Getty Images
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