It can be sad to see a likable player leave, or exciting when an unliked player does the same. In many cases, it is a mixed bag. The Flyers organization will make decisions on these types of players as the season goes on.
Rasmus Ristolainen
Ristolainen was once a burden in the Flyers organization. He had a large contract and couldn't live up to it. Somehow, he turned his career around and became a valuable asset to the team, both on and off the ice. He played well for the team, and his name began popping up in realistic trade offers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs allegedly offered a lot for the defender, but the Flyers supposedly turned it down. We can only speculate on the verity of it, as neither side is likely to admit what happened. Ristolainen got injured at the deadline. So, even if the Flyers tried to move him, the trade would have fallen through.
The tall and punishing right-handed defender is signed through the 2026-27 season, and the optics of his $5.1 million cap hit look better now that the cap ceiling has gone up. The probability is quite high that the 30-year-old will be moved before the end of the season, as he is not part of the team’s long-term plans.
Nick Seeler
Seeler has been a great part of the Flyers organization and is a fan favorite. He is a Flyer through and through. However, he is 31 and not part of the team’s long-term plans. He is signed through 2027-28, but brings more value than his modest $2.7 million cap hit.
He would be a great addition to any playoff team, and whatever the Flyers get in return would be more valuable to the team in the long run.
It is possible he could remain with the team for another season or so, but the draft capital the Flyers could add in 2025 would be of greater benefit than in 2028.
Ryan Poehling
This is a tough one. Poehling is 26 and has been a great value to the Flyers, both with and without the puck. As a center, he fills a need and has been decent in the faceoff circle. However, his position may be taking a spot for a prospect knocking on the door, or a free agent acquisition.
When he went down with a head injury because of an arguably cheap hit from the New York Islanders’ Maxim Tsyplakov, his loss was immediately felt. Losing him would hurt in the short term, but he is a free agent after this season and would likely fetch a good return as a rental at the trade deadline.
Nic Deslauriers
It is hard not to respect someone who sacrifices their body for the betterment of the team. So, Deslauriers can be appreciated while also admitting there is no reason to have him on the team anymore.
The pugilist played 31 games this past season and had a career-low 15 penalty minutes. At best, he capped out at three fights. There is no benefit to sitting another player just so he can get ice time.
At 34, his career may be reaching its natural conclusion after his contract ends this season.
Ivan Fedotov
The Flyers goaltending was an issue during the 2024-25 season, and Fedotov played a part in that.
He went through a lot to make it to Philadelphia before becoming a 26-year-old rookie. His start was rough, too. He debuted in the 2023-24 season with three games played, one started, and a 0-1-1 record. He finished the season with an .811 save percentage and 4.95 goals against average.
Somehow, the Flyers rewarded him with a two-year, $6.5 million deal, perhaps the most questionable deal of the Danny Briere era. That contract ends after this coming season, and it seems unlikely he will remain with the team or find a job elsewhere in the NHL.