General manager Daniel Brière and the Philadelphia Flyers will have some trading to do this summer. The young players in the organization are starting to blossom, which may bump the veterans too far down in the lineup.
In the 2026 offseason, which three Flyers may be traded? What kind of return can fans expect? Let’s dive in.
Bobby Brink, RW
The Flyers are kind of forcing themselves into this one. Although Bobby Brink has had a solid season for the Orange and Black, racking up 13 goals and 11 assists in 50 games on 15:17 of average ice time, he’ll be a restricted free agent in the summer. With top prospect and right-winger Porter Martone likely to join the team in 2026–27, it makes keeping Brink more complicated.
The Flyers’ top-nine winger core projects to be the following next season: Denver Barkey, Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, Martone, Matvei Michkov, and Owen Tippett. If Trevor Zegras isn’t moved to center, you can throw him in that mix, too.
Related: Flyers’ Denver Barkey Is Developing Like a First-Round Pick
So, basically, there’s no spot except for on the fourth line for Brink. The 24-year-old has done an excellent job of rounding his game out to become a respectable middle-six threat, but he’s unfortunately a victim of the team’s strong depth on the wing. A trade feels like the only logical option.
As for a return, it may be underwhelming for the Flyers compared to his talent level. High-end third-liners like Brink don’t just grow on trees, but there’s not much leverage for Philadelphia. At best, expect a second-round pick or some equivalent value.
Noah Cates, C/LW
If Zegras moves to the center position, there will be a little bit of a problem for Noah Cates. As we’ve already established, the winger core is too strong for another member to be in the top nine. So, the best bet for the 27-year-old is to remain down the middle. But with Sean Couturier and Christian Dvorak already in the mix, someone will have to be demoted to the fourth line.
Cates becomes the odd one out simply due to contract status. Couturier’s contract is buyout or bust, and it’ll only be halfway over by the summer. Dvorak just signed a deal, and he has a full no-trade clause, so he’s out. The last one left is Cates, who has three years left with a $4 million cap hit and no trade protections. He’s the easiest to move by far.
Fortunately, a third-line center of Cates’ caliber could go for a lot on the trade market. Like, a first-round-pick type of a lot. He’s in his prime, is on a reasonable deal, and has improved his offensive game to complement his elite defense. The Flyers should be asking around—it’s better than him playing on the fourth line.
Nick Seeler, D
We end with Nick Seeler. The 32-year-old defenseman signed a four-year, $10.8 million extension in March 2024, which came with trade protection for the first two seasons of the deal. Those protections will expire for the 2026–27 and 2027–28 campaigns, meaning the Flyers can do as they please.
Seeler has provided a physical, shutdown presence for the Flyers over five seasons. But it may be time for a change.
For one, Seeler has had a rough go of it. At 5-on-5, he has been outscored 43–27 this season, according to Hockey Stats. While his 50.6% expected goal share suggests he’s getting unlucky, it’s hard to say he’s been particularly good, even in a third-pairing role.
With 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk potentially competing for an NHL roster spot next training camp, Seeler’s role is in even more jeopardy. It would make more sense to sell now instead of later.
In a trade, the Flyers can’t expect much. His $2.7 million cap hit is about the going rate for a bottom-pairing defenseman, but it’s enough to exclude him from budget option status. Regardless, a mid- to late-round pick should be the expectation.
Which other Flyers do you think could be on the move this summer? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below!
