A regular in the Flyers' lineup for two seasons now, Egor Zamula had a somewhat atypical path to the NHL when compared to his other teammates.
Zamula spent three seasons playing in the WHL for the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen. With 38 points in 69 games played in 2017-18 and 56 points in 61 games played during his sophomore season, Zamula impressed Flyers' scout Mark Greig. Primarily responsible for scouting talent in Western Canada, Greig was enthralled with Zamula's playmaking ability and invited him to the Flyers' 2018 NHL Training Camp.
After signing an entry-level deal with the big club in 2018, the 6'3", 200 lb. defenseman split time between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and the Flyers before earning a full-time role on the Flyers in the 2023-24 season. In 2023-24, Zamula notched 21 points in 66 games and ended the season at a +3. In 2024-25, he earned 15 points in 63 games and ended the season at -14. The entire team struggled defensively that year, but Zamula didn't exactly stop the bleeding, per se.
Primarily playing with Rasmus Ristolainen to start the 2024-25 season, Zamula passed the eye test when assessing him as a bona fide NHL defenseman. By no means did he excel, but he looked like a perfectly capable third-pairing player who complemented the physical play of Ristolainen. Playing anywhere from 15 to 21 minutes per night, the young Russian even notched a two-point game against the Sharks on New Year's Eve.
Unsurprisingly, Ristolainen suffered a season-ending re-injury to his triceps tendon in March of 2025. Without him in the lineup, Emil Andrae was called up from Lehigh Valley. Together, Andrae and Zamula showed clever offensive upside, but most notably showed their combined inexperience in the defensive zone, especially net-front.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Ristolainen will be sidelined for training camp and possibly for the beginning of the regular season. Therefore, Zamula and/or Andrae will likely be seeing substantial time at the NHL level until Ristolainen's return.
In all fairness, neither Zamula nor Andrae boasts a hulking frame, nor have they been known to play overly physical. Andrae is three inches shorter and 11 pounds lighter than Zamula. But, the Swede has shown he isn't afraid to throw his weight around in board battles or jump into the neutral zone to spring offensive rushes.
Although Andrae only mustered 7 points in 42 games for the Flyers last season, his offensive impact surely passed the eye test. With quick feet and a competitive edge, he impressed many fans and analysts alike, even if he ended the season -6.
Statistically, Zamula only trailed Travis Sanheim and Cam York in on-ice goal differential with 7.55 compared to 8.28 (Sanheim) and 7.96 (York). However, Zamula's on-ice goals against AND goals for were the worst among Sanheim, York, Drysdale, Seeler, and Ristolainen. Ironically enough, Andrae was just behind Zamula in all of the above categories. Needless to say, statistics mean nothing when most of the Flyers' fandom relies on the "eye test" when comparing two players.
Let's not forget, the number one determinant of ice time and player utilization will likely be Rick Tocchet and the other members of his coaching staff. Perhaps the most influential component of the "Zamula vs Andrae" debate will be how each of the players performs at training camp this summer.
Only time will tell if Tocchet prefers to utilize a less physical, playmaking defenseman in Zamula or a spunky, play-driving competitor in Andrae. Either way, the Flyers' upcoming season will surely have its fair share of lineup changes and exciting storylines to follow for fans and media alike.