Everything felt different a few months ago. When the Philadelphia Flyers stormed out of the gate this season, sitting third in the Metro by early January, the vibe around the Wells Fargo Center shifted from "patient rebuild" to "maybe we’re actually good." Fans started dreaming of a playoff run. Then, reality hit. A five-game skid and a string of injuries to guys like Travis Konecny and Dan Vladar have cooled things off, but the Philadelphia Flyers trade rumors haven't slowed down one bit.
Honestly, if you’re waiting for Danny Briere to sell the farm for a rental, you haven’t been paying attention.
The rumor mill is spinning fast because the March 6 trade deadline is creeping up, and Philadelphia is in that awkward middle ground. They aren't quite bottom-feeders anymore, but they aren't Cup contenders either. It’s a weird spot. Most of the talk right now is centered on one specific, glaring problem: the crease.
The Goalie Panic: Why Sam Ersson is the Center of Philadelphia Flyers Trade Rumors
It’s been a rough go for Sam Ersson. There’s no other way to put it. Last year, he looked like the future, but a .853 save percentage in 18 games this season has people checking the trade market daily. With Dan Vladar dealing with a recent injury and Aleksei Kolosov still needing AHL seasoning, the Flyers are suddenly thin at the most important position on the ice.
You've probably heard the names linked to Philly lately. Alex Lyon is the big one. Bringing "The Lion King" back from Buffalo makes almost too much sense. The Sabres have a logjam with Luukkonen and Devon Levi, and Lyon is basically a cult hero in Philly already. A third-round pick might get it done.
Other names floating around?
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- Stuart Skinner: Currently with the Penguins, which makes a trade tough because, well, it’s the Penguins.
- Filip Gustavsson: The Wild have Jesper Wallstedt taking over, but Gustavsson’s contract is a massive hurdle.
- Anthony Stolarz: Another former Flyer who could be a cheap tandem option if Toronto decides to move him.
Briere is in a tough spot here. He wants to support the locker room, but he’s been very vocal about not "sacrificing the future." If he moves a mid-round pick for a backup, fine. But don't expect him to move a first-rounder for a goalie who might just be a stopgap.
What's Really Happening with the Ristolainen and Tippett Talk?
For a while, everyone thought Rasmus Ristolainen was a goner. He’s a big, right-shot defenseman, which is essentially gold at the trade deadline. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been sniffing around him for years. With Chris Tanev out for the season in Toronto, the Leafs are desperate.
The problem? Ristolainen has actually been... good?
Playing on the third pair under Rick Tocchet has simplified his game. He’s physical, he’s healthy (for once), and he’s eating minutes. If Briere trades him, he needs a massive return—think a prospect like Easton Cowan or a high pick. Otherwise, it just creates a massive hole on the blue line that Jamie Drysdale and Travis Sanheim can’t fill alone.
Then there’s Owen Tippett.
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People are starting to get frustrated. The speed is there. The shot is there. But the goals? Not so much. He’s sitting on a big $6.2 million AAV contract, and with Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone being the "true" future of the wings, some wonder if Tippett is the odd man out. Personally, I think it’s premature. Moving a 26-year-old with that kind of raw talent usually ends in regret, but his name is definitely being mentioned in circles looking for "hockey trades" rather than just rentals.
The Zegras Factor
Trevor Zegras has been a home run so far. He’s rejuvenated, he’s playing with more grit under Tocchet, and he’s actually producing. The rumor that the Flyers might still be looking for another young, top-six center hasn't died down, though. If a player like Robert Thomas or even a disgruntled star becomes available, Briere has the assets to strike.
The "No Rental" Rule is Real
I was listening to Briere the other day, and he couldn't have been clearer. "Don't bank on any rentals," he said. That effectively kills the talk of the Flyers chasing someone like Artemi Panarin this month. The Rangers might be retooling, but the Flyers aren't at the stage where they give up assets for a 34-year-old winger on an expiring deal.
The strategy is "aggressive patience." It sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s basically what they did with the Zegras trade—finding a young player who was undervalued and fits the Matvei Michkov timeline.
Why the 2026 Offseason Matters More
The Flyers have a lot of dead money coming off the books soon. Nearly $7 million, to be exact. They are hoarding cap space like dragons. This is why you see them taking on contracts like Christian Dvorak's (who, surprisingly, has been great and just got an extension). They want to be the team that has $50 million in space when a disgruntled superstar actually hits the market.
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So, when you see Philadelphia Flyers trade rumors about them being "buyers," take it with a grain of salt. They are buyers only if the player is under 25 and under team control.
Moving Forward: What to Watch for Before March 6
The next few weeks are going to be telling. If the losing streak continues, the Flyers might lean into being "soft sellers," moving guys like Erik Johnson or other depth pieces for late-round picks. If they stay in the hunt, look for a minor move for a goalie.
Actionable Insights for Following the Deadline:
- Watch the Sabres' Goalie Rotation: If Alex Lyon starts seeing fewer starts, a trade to Philly becomes much more likely.
- Monitor Jamie Drysdale’s Health: If his injury lingers, the Flyers almost certainly cannot afford to trade Ristolainen, no matter what Toronto offers.
- Keep an eye on the AHL: If Aleksei Kolosov starts putting up "unignorable" numbers in Lehigh Valley, Briere might decide the "trade" is already inside the house.
- The Porter Martone Effect: Now that Martone is dominating the NCAA, the Flyers know they have another high-end scoring threat coming. This makes trading a veteran winger like Konecny (however unlikely) a theoretical possibility if the return is a top-pairing defenseman.
The Flyers aren't the Broad Street Bullies of old, smashing their way into trades just to make a splash. They are calculated now. Whether that leads to a playoff berth in 2026 or another high draft pick remains to be seen, but the days of trading first-rounders for aging veterans appear to be over.