With Rick Tocchet now behind the bench in Philadelphia, the Flyers hope his presence will help draw in top talent and free agents in the near future. But how will this translate into actual roster moves? And could any current Vancouver Canucks be on their radar?
After already parting ways with J.T. Miller and now Tocchet, the Canucks could be heading toward a lengthy rebuild—especially if they fail to secure captain Quinn Hughes before his contract expires on July 1, 2027.
This potential reset in Vancouver opens the door for opportunistic teams like the Flyers—who are one of the youngest and most promising rosters in the NHL—to capitalize on any roster shakeups out west.
As of now, Philadelphia has around $2.5 million in cap space. While they’ll need to make decisions on promising young players like Cam York, Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and potentially Jakob Pelletier, they’re also set to gain financial relief from expiring contracts and buyouts—namely Cal Petersen, Tony DeAngelo, and retained salary on Andrei Kuzmenko.
In short, the Flyers are well-positioned—with both cap flexibility and draft capital—to be active players in trades and free agency this offseason.
So, who could they target? And which familiar faces from Tocchet’s former team might fit in?
1. Pius Suter – Center – UFA in 2025
Center depth remains one of Philadelphia’s key concerns. Beyond Sean Couturier, options are thin: pending RFA Noah Cates, Ryan Poehling (recently involved in trade discussions with New Jersey), and depth options like Rodrigo Abols, 18-year-old Jett Luchanko, and rookie Karsen Dorwart.
Enter Pius Suter.
The 28-year-old Swiss forward stepped up as Vancouver’s top-line center following the trade of Miller and an injury to Elias Pettersson. His ability to play both center and wing would offer much-needed versatility for the Flyers—especially after dealing Scott Laughton to Toronto in exchange for Nikita Grebenkin and a 2027 first-rounder.
Suter, who carried a modest $1.6 million cap hit this past season, could command significantly more after a breakout year. His value could climb quickly, particularly once players like Sam Bennett set the market.
2. Thatcher Demko – Goaltender – UFA in 2026 (or via trade)
Goaltending has long been Philadelphia’s Achilles heel—marked by frequent misfires and constant turnover.
Sam Ersson has yet to post a save percentage above .900 in a full NHL season, while Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov are still adjusting to the North American game, showing flashes of talent but lacking consistency.
This uncertainty makes Thatcher Demko an intriguing target. Eligible for a contract extension on July 1 and set to hit free agency in 2026, Demko could be pursued via trade or signed later down the line.
Yes, he’s battled injuries—including a significant knee issue—and his .889 save percentage last season was well below expectations. But over his final 10 games, Demko bounced back with a .907 save percentage and recorded a 25-save shutout against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 4, suggesting he’s regaining form.
With a mix of cap space, youth, and a coach players trust, the Flyers could soon become a destination of choice—and a familiar landing spot—for several key Canucks.
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