Philadelphia Flyers: 2026 Free Agency Preview

July 1 is upon us, and NHL free agency gets underway at noon. Of course, this offseason, the free-agent frenzy that usually is has become more of a buzzkill.

Many of the top names expected in this free agent class already re-signed months ago. Still, the opportunity exists for the Philadelphia Flyers to find ways to get better, and it goes beyond the traditional signings. Sure, there are a few free agents to watch for, but there are also a lot of teams waiting for the dominoes to fall with the trade market.

We’ll explore it all in our 2026 Free Agency Preview.

Forwards

An Intriguing Name That Could Help the Flyers’ Future

On the surface, you may be wondering why the Flyers would consider adding another winger to an already crowded position group. First, there’s no guarantee the wing position looks the same at the end of the offseason. Two, what if the winger the Flyers could target had a direct impact on a key part of the future?

Vladimir Tarasenko is going to reach the free-agent market, and for a team with a young, budding Russian on the roster, bringing in a potential mentor could be a huge addition.

Tarasenko is 34, so this would likely have to be a short-term deal, but he still up solid numbers at this stage of his career, 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games with Minnesota. He may not be the 30-goal scorer or near point-per-game player he was in his prime, but for a young player like Matvei Michkov, it could be a difference-maker to have a player like this in the locker room.

A Possible Reunion?

It would be one of the more polarizing moves the Flyers could make. Half of the fanbase would embrace it. The other half would be exasperated and want to just move on for good. But Claude Giroux is going to reach the free-agent market as well, and don’t rule out the possibility of a reunion.

Giroux’s ability to play center, even though he was more of a winger in Ottawa, comes into play here. The Flyers are thin at the position, and on a one or two-year deal, they could bring back one of the more reliable face-off performers – 63.1 percent last season – who does still have the ability to put up points.

Giroux, now 38, scored 14 goals and had 49 points in 82 games last season for Ottawa. It shouldn’t be the most expected move, but as Giroux ponders where his career goes next, could the final chapter come back in Philadelphia with a team looking to build on a playoff appearance? It certainly can’t be ruled out.

Fourth-Line Depth

There have long been rumors that the Flyers are interested in bringing back Luke Glendening after claiming him off waivers from New Jersey on deadline day in March. If that were to happen, in addition to the reported re-signing of Carl Grundstrom, the Flyers probably have all the depth they need.

But if Glendening is more of a backup option, Noel Acciari could be a fourth-line option that appeals to the Flyers.

Acciari, 34, had a solid 2025-26 season in Pittsburgh with 13 goals and 25 points in 67 games, his highest goal and point totals since the 2019-20 season. Like Glendening, Acciari is right-handed, something the Flyers have a lack of down the middle.

Trade Targets

The Flyers have long had interest in the centers in Ottawa, notably Shane Pinto and Dylan Cozens. Both could still be trade targets if Ottawa is willing to move either, but for now, that seems unlikely.

Another name that has emerged as a possible trade option is Mavrik Bourque. As the Dallas Stars go through a contract battle with RFA winger Jason Robertson, they may have to sacrifice other players on the roster to make the contract work and keep their star scoring winger. That could be where Bourque becomes available.

Bourque, 24, just completed his second NHL season with 20 goals and 41 points. At just 24, it could be a good pickup for the Flyers and come at an affordable cost to help Dallas with their cap situation.

Defensemen

The Sweepstakes

Among free agents in the defenseman class, John Carlson is going to be the most popular target. The Flyers are going to be interested and have a lot playing in their favor. They can pretty much pay whatever it takes to get Carlson to sign. They can put him into a favorable role in the Top 4 and top power-play unit. They are an East coast team not far from where Carlson spent his entire career prior to last season's deadline deal to Anaheim.

There’s just one problem. At the draft, Carolina traded for Carlson’s rights. As of Tuesday night, no new contract was in place, but they still have until noon to reach an agreement and ensure Carlson never reaches the open market.

There’s a strong belief that Tampa Bay would be the favorite for Carlson in free agency, especially after losing Darren Raddysh. That said, there’s another defenseman who Tampa could be eyeing, and if Carlson chooses to test the market despite the Carolina trade, and Tampa drops out of the running, the Flyers are going to be close to the top of the list of potential destinations.

The Waiting Game

The player that everyone is really waiting on is Zach Werenski. As the reigning Norris Trophy winner’s name entered the trade market, it immediately became the top priority for teams looking for a top defenseman.

As the waiting game plays out, it could keep teams from doing anything at the defense position until there’s a resolution with Werenski. Tampa came up in recent reports as a team to watch, and if they were to acquire Werenski, they would likely not have the role or cap space to sign Carlson. So this potential move could have a domino effect on the market.

Of course, the Flyers would also rather add Werenski to their roster. But do they have the pieces to make a trade happen, and would Werenski accept a deal to Philadelphia? If the Flyers have any idea that the answer to those questions is no, they can easily pivot to Carlson while other teams battle it out in the sweepstakes for Werenski.

The Nurse Is In?

For pretty much the entire offseason, the Flyers have been linked to Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse in trade rumors. Nurse would also have to waive a no-move clause, but appears to be willing to do so for Philadelphia.

From the Flyers perspective, they are not interested in a deal for Nurse’s $9.25 million cap hit. Retention would be necessary to make this trade happen. If Edmonton is willing to go there and potentially take a player back in return, there could be a way the Flyers get Nurse without putting a huge dent into their available cap space.

For now, it seems like this has been more of a backup plan for the Flyers. Nurse, 31, still has four years left on his contract, and doesn't have the same makeup as Carlson to be the solution for the Flyers’ power play.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.