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The Flyers have loaned 20-year-old center Jack Berglund to Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the duration of their 2026-27 season. When their season is over, he’s eligible to join the Lehigh Valley Phantoms or the Flyers for the remainder of their campaign.
On April 9, the Flyers signed Berglund to an entry-level NHL contract (three years).It was uncertain as to whether he’d report to the Flyers/Phantoms or spend one additional full season in Sweden. Last season, he joined the Phantoms for the final five games of the year.
In 2025-26, Berglund dressed in 40 regular season games plus seven playoff matches for FBK’s parent squad in the SHL. He mostly played on the third or fourth line, as young players in Europe tend to do. However, he played a key role for Team Sweden’s gold medalist World Junior Championship team (three goals, 10 points in seven games). Subsequently, Berglund played in the senior IIHF World Championship tourney. He had two points (1g, 1a) in four games, and saw power play time.
As things stand, 2024 second-round pick Berglund and 2025 first-rounder Jack Nesbitt will compete for organizational depth chart slotting over the next couple years. Nesbitt will play the 2026-27 season in the NCAA for the University of Michigan, while Berglund is in the SHL.
The Flyers are high on both players’ upsides as two-way forwards. Both have had some work to do on their skating, which they’ve each focused on since their respective Draft years. Nesbitt has a little more filling out to do. Offensively, Nesbitt has a little further to go developmentally than Berglund but is also a bit younger.
Ultimately, both players have middle-six/ top nine potential. The question is whether either hits the upper end of middle-six (AKA second-line caliber) status as a pro.
The Flyers’ decision on Berglund’s 2026-27 destination — AHL or SHL — was based upon the player’s own preference. It does hurt the Phantoms’ depth chart for this coming season. It also removes a player to watch from the upcoming Rookie Series in Allentown, especially with Nesbitt committed to collegiate hockey.
Long term, however, it won’t hurt Berglund’s development to play one extra season at home. It does burn the first year of the ELC regardless.
Flyers Daily: Monday with Meltzer (August 10, 2026)
Join Jason Mytetus and me for this 30-minute Monday with Meltzer edition of Flyers Daily. As a new Hockey season inches closer, we had a fun prognostic conversation of “Flyers Fact or Fiction”. We look at the likellihood (or feasibility) of eight scenarios for the upcoming season.
- Philly allowed 239 goals last season, 9th fewest in the NHL. Fact or Fiction: They will actually allow more total goals this coming season but to less regulation detriment and be forced to OT less often as a result?
- The Flyers scored 240 goals last season, 21st in the NHL. Fact or fiction: They will add 20+ total goals scored this season? Keep in mind that there are two extra games now on the schedule. this season.
- Rick Tocchet’s team ended last season overall with the 22nd ranked PK despite being 9th in goals allowed. Fact or fiction: They will finish top 12 on the PK despite allowing a few more 5-on-5 goals?
- The Flyers had 6 OT wins. We are not counting shootout wins here. Fact or fiction: They will avoid the shootout by adding three or more wins in actual OT?
- Philadelphia was 4th in the NHL at shot suppression, averaging 25.5 shots against per game. Fact or fiction: They will allow a higher of volume of shots against this season? If so, they incur the risk in order to drive more offense off the rush.
- if/when the Flyers power play gets off to a slow start (Lord, we hope not again), Tocchet will sometimes try a five forward approach?
- Fact or fiction: The Flyers regular season MVP will not be Travis Konecny or Dan Vladar. Konecny won two of the last three Bobby Clarke Trophies.Of course, Vladar won last season. If it’s some else, will it be a player who never won the award before? For example, Trevor Zegras is not a previous winner. Meanwhile, Sean Couturier is a three-time past winner.
- Fact or fiction: Travis Sanheim wins the Barry Ashbee Trophy again? He won the award as the team’s top defensemen each of the last three season and four of the last five. Ivan Provorov won in 2022-23. He was promptly traded that offseason.
Team Toyota Prospect Countdown: Matthew Gard (#17)
The Flyers drafted center Matthew Gard with their fourth econd round selection (57th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft. Previously a member of the Red Deer Rebels (Western Hockey League), the now 19-year-old Winnipeg native joined the Seattle Thunderbirds midway through the 2025-26 campaign.
Philly placed a clear emphasis on drafting for size and frame in the 2025 and 2026 Drafts. Gard was no exception. The 6-foot-5 forward brings a high level of competitiveness and physicality to his game. His offensive upside is modest. However, he has a decent shot to work his way up as a reliable bottom six (most likely fourth-line) forward.
Gard, however, is not devoid of some nascent ability to get to the “greasy” areas and score some goals off scrambles or loose change near the net. He’s not a natural playmaker or goal scorer but he’s unselfish and quite hard-working. He’s above-average in defensiveness awareness and has pro penalty-killng upside on the long term. He’s good along the walls and will dish out — or take — a hit to win a battle.
The young pivot will play one more season of junior hockey. Thereafter, he will attend Michigan State come 2027-28. Gard is not a fast-track prospect. He’ll need time to fill out more to add strength. Additionally, he needs to add more of a standout element — even as a checking liner — to beat out pro level competition down the line. Nevertheless, this is a player to watch in the system. There are enough raw materials to develop into a future pro.
Flyers Warriors Annual Raffle
Every year, the Flyers Warriors hold a late summer raffle to raise money for the program and its various activities. The Flyers organization itself always donates most of the prizes. Contact the Flyers Warriors or any of their members — everyone has raffle tickets available — to purchase. The official website is here.
The official drawing is on September 28.
Cold War in Philly documentary
The Cold War in Philly documentary about the 1976 game between the Flyers and the Red Army is now available nationwide on Amazon Prime. There are still two in-person August showings on the docket with special guest speakers plus director Joe Amodei. Stay tuned for September dates.
Sellersville Theatre (24 West Temple Ave., Sellersville, PA) : Thursday, Aug. 13th, 2026
Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA): Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2026
Phans of Philly: Road Trip Planning
Last season, the Flyers went a perfect 6-0-0 in road trip games organized by Phans of Philly. Large contingents of Flyers faithful traveled together to see the team sweep its California trip. The Flyers also earned wins in New Jersey, Detroit and Pittsburgh (Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal). This season, Phans of Philly planned two road trips involving flights and hotel stays. There will also be a couple bus trips in the works (TBA). The main attractions this season are:
In November, Phans of Philly will take a group of Flyers fans north of the border to see the team play the Ottawa Senators (Nov. 19) and Montreal Canadiens (November 21). This four-night trip is a Phans of Philly exclusive.
Come March, Phans has a five-night trip to see the Flyers play the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights (March 11) and the Utah Mammoth (March 13). Fans will also have the option to add the March 9 game in Denver against the Avalanche ahead of the Vegas and Utah games.
Guffaw Cigars
Five-time NHL All-Star and Flyers Hall of Fame inductee Brian Propp introduced his own line of top-quality hand-crafted Dominican cigars . The Guffaw Cigar collection is highly rated for its balanced boldness, sophistication and premium-aged tobacco. Brian himself is a longtime cigar aficionado. He wanted his signature line to reflect the qualities he values in a cigar.
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