With two exhibition games and over a week of practices left before the start of the regular season, the Philadelphia Flyers are in the process of finalizing their opening night roster. Decisions remain on how many defensemen and forwards will be included, as well as which players will secure available spots.
General manager Daniel Briere must determine whether to carry seven or eight defensemen and 13 or 14 forwards into the regular season. Player performance during training camp and preseason games will play a key role in these decisions. Additionally, waiver status may affect whether certain players can be assigned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms without risk.
The absence of veteran Rasmus Ristolainen for at least the first month due to injury has opened up opportunities on defense. Head coach Rick Tocchet commented after Saturday’s morning skate: “First of all, I’m really looking forward to working with Risto when he comes back. Todd [Reirden] and me both. But there are opportunities for other players in camp and the games. But I’m not going to lie. We need to see more from everybody that’s competing.”
Several players are currently under consideration:
Egor Zamula, a 25-year-old Russian defenseman, has played 166 NHL games for Philadelphia over his career and was a full-time roster player each of the last two seasons. He is entering the final year of his contract ($1.7 million AAV) and would require waivers for an AHL assignment next season. On September 16, Briere said: “Egor has played some good games for us the last couple years. Last season maybe wasn’t as consistent and we’d like to see and he’d like to [show]. There’s opportunities for him.”
Noah Juulsen joined Philadelphia as a free agent this summer after previously playing under Tocchet with Vancouver. The 28-year-old brings size (6-foot-2, 201 pounds) and physicality but is returning from sports hernia surgery that ended his previous season early. His contract is one year at $900,000; he also requires waivers for an AHL assignment. Tocchet said on September 27: “Juuls has been just OK. He knows that. He can play better, and he knows it… There are three or four defensemen [competing for a job], and he’s in that mix for a roster spot.”
Dennis Gilbert signed with Philadelphia this offseason after playing with five NHL teams so far in his career (Blackhawks, Avalanche, Flames, Sabres, Senators). At age 28, Gilbert is known for his size (6-foot-2, 216 pounds), mobility, competitiveness, and shot-blocking ability but needs consistency in positional play at this level. His contract is one year at $875,000; he too would need waivers to be sent down to the AHL. Tocchet commented on September 20: “He’s done OK. Physical, competitive… He’s one of the guys in the mix to compete for a spot.”
Adam Ginning is entering what may be a critical year in terms of establishing himself as an NHL regular at age 25 after being drafted by Philadelphia in 2018 (50th overall). He has appeared in just eleven NHL games so far but brings size and physicality along with versatility across defensive pairings.
As camp continues toward its conclusion ahead of opening night roster decisions, competition remains open among these candidates.
