The Philadelphia Flyers have signed defensemen Noah Juulsen and Dennis Gilbert to one-year contracts, adding depth and size to their defensive lineup. Both players are 28 years old, with Juulsen’s deal valued at $900,000 and Gilbert’s at $875,000.
Noah Juulsen is a right-handed defenseman who has played 157 regular season NHL games and two playoff matches. He spent the last two-plus seasons with the Vancouver Canucks under head coach Rick Tocchet, who will now coach him again in Philadelphia. Juulsen was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round (26th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Despite his first-round status, he has mostly served as a sixth or seventh defenseman due to several injuries throughout his career.
Last season, Juulsen appeared in 35 games for Vancouver before undergoing season-ending sports hernia surgery. He averaged over 16 minutes of ice time per game but did not record any points. Known for his physical play, he recorded 60 blocked shots and 101 hits during the 2024-25 campaign.
Dennis Gilbert is a left-handed shooter who has played 111 NHL regular season games. Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round (91st overall) of the 2015 draft, Gilbert played for both the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators during the previous season after being traded from Buffalo along with Dylan Cozens at the trade deadline. He registered 63 hits across his appearances last year.
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere commented on the signings: “We wanted to add some size and depth to our blueline.”
Briere added: “Noah and Dennis will have a chance to compete for the roster and earn playing time. Both players bring good size and a physical style of play.”
With Rasmus Ristolainen recovering from triceps surgery, there may be an opportunity for Juulsen to secure a spot in the opening night lineup if he performs well during training camp. Both Juulsen and Gilbert are expected to compete for roles as third-pairing or seventh-defensemen alongside other candidates such as Egor Zamula, Emil Andrae, Helge Grans, Hunter McDonald, and first-year professional Oliver Bonk.
Juulsen’s approach is described as focused on defensive responsibilities rather than offensive production. His experience blocking shots and delivering checks aligns with what Philadelphia is seeking on its blue line heading into next season.
Gilbert also brings a stay-at-home style of play with an emphasis on positioning and physicality. The competition among new additions and current prospects is expected to shape Philadelphia’s defensive group as they prepare for training camp this September.
