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Earlier this offseason, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere said that he’s still in the market for roster upgrades. Mostly likely, it would be via trade rather than free agency.
Since then, there has been a steady supply of trade rumors. First it was Darnell Nurse (later sent to Edmonton). Since then, there has been speculation about Alexander Nikishin, Arber Xhekaj and others. The latest rumor: Alexander Romanov of the New York Islanders. That’s quite an array of playing styles and player attributes.
The Flyers still could either trade — or extend — the contract of impending unrestricted free agent Rasmus Ristolainen. In reality, neither possibility is off the table per team sources. It also need not happen before the season. Briere is comfortable with going into camp with the roster as is. If Ristolainen were to get dealt, the internal feeling that the team would want a minutes-eating defenseman with good size and a physical element to his game.
Of course, it also takes two sides to make a trade work. The Carolina Hurricanes want to get Nikishin signed. A trade would be a last resort. Meanwhile Canadiens tough guy Xhekaj is strictly a role-playing third pair defenseman. He could not replace Ristolainen’s minutes.
Romanov, however, could make sense if his medical reports are sound after back-to-back seasons shortened by injury.
He’s coming off a torn labrum than cost him most of last season (just 15 games played). Prior to that, he was a dependable 20-plus minute blueliner.
- 2024–25: 22:46 TOI
- 2023–24: 20:50 TOI (career-high 81 games played)
- 2022–23: 22:18 TOI (81 games played)
Romanov 26, is currently under a long-term eight-year, $50 million contract extension ($6.25 million cap hit) signed on June 30, 2025. He does not currently have no-trade protection, which maximizes New York’s ability to move the player if they see fit. However, come July 1, 2027, a modified (16-team) no-trade clause applies. Romanov can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2033.
Stylistically, the left-shot defenseman would seem to be a good fit for the Flyers as a partner for either Travis Sanheim or Jamie Drysdale. If it’s Sanheim, the reigning Barry Ashbee Trophy winner would shift to the right side of the pairing.
Team Toyota Prospect Spotlight Countdown: Brek Liske (#15)
Selected: 2026 2nd Round, 53rd overall
Listed Height: 6-foot-2
Listed Weight: 190 pounds
Shoots: Right
2025-26 team: Everett Silvertips (WHL)
2025-26 RS stats: 52 GP, 7 G, 17 A, 24 PTS, 20 PIM, +36
2026 PO Stats: 18 GP, 4 G, 13 A, 17 PTS, 13 PIM, +25
The skinny: The suburban Winnipeg native has improved steadily over his two full WHL seasons. Liske has emerged as a well-rounded defenseman at the Western Hockey League level. He makes quick decisions and prides himself on attention to detail. Liske suited up for Team Canada at the recent World Junior Summer Showcase.
In Canada’s tournament opener last Wednesday—a 5-3 loss to Sweden—Liske was paired with Calgary Flames first-round selection Carson Carels. He did not dress in the finale against USA. Liske is a long shot for the 2026-27 World Junior Championship but can continue to build his case in upcoming months for this or next year. He has a fighting chance for 2027-28.
2025-26 review: Liske moved up the draft rankings steadily in the second half of the season. He took even another step forward in the playoffs, finding a heretofore new offensive level to his game for the WHL championship winning Silvertips.
Usage Pattern: Liske was already a lineup regular heading into the 2025-26 season but became an all-situations mainstay by the time he was done. In the process, he boosted his stock from a projected middle-round prospect to a second round near-lock.
Game strengths: Liske is not a spectacular talent in one particular area but has become above-average in many different facets. He plays a disciplined and efficient style of hockey, with and without the puck. Not a crusher but he competes.
Opportunities for improvement: There are opportunities to add size and continue to add to his repertoire.
Notable: Liske is a life-long Flyers fan, stemming from his father, Lonnie. As a youngster he visited Philly to take in a Flyers game and a practice. He met then head coach Dave Hakstol and got an autographed stick from defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. His favorite player was Claude Giroux.
Brek Liske on being drafted by the Flyers: “My dad has maybe 30 Flyers jerseys. At least five out here on the deck. The Flyers staff know my dad was a crazy Flyers fan. He has an Orange Jeep with a Flyers.”
Tonight: Cold War in Philly
The Cold War in Philly documentary about the 1976 game between the Flyers and the Red Army is now available nationwide on Amazon Prime. Meanwhile, there is an in-person showing tonight (August 13) at the Sellesville Theatre in Sellersville, PA ((24 West Temple Ave).
Doors open at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
After the showing, there will be a special Q&A session featuring Lary Goodenough, Sam Carchidi and filmmaker Joe Amodei.
Tickets: Click here.
Collectors’ Corner: Dan Vladar Signing Event
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar is scheduled for an in-store public autograph signing at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles in Havertown, PA, (22 W. Eagle Road) on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Event Details:
- Time: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
- Autographs: $49 each
- Photo Ops: $39 each
- Inscriptions: $20 each
Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp
The 12th annual edition of the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp takes place at the Class of 1923 Arena on the University of Pennsylvania campus on Friday through Monday. Flyers fans are welcome to attend the practices and games. Admission is free. This year’s alumni coaches are:
Team Toyota: Patrick Sharp and Keith Jones
Team River Rock: Tim Kerr, Mark Howe, and Joe Watson
Team PSS: Mark Recchi and Robert Esche
Flyers Alumni Association president Brad Marsh will also be on hand throughout camp. Lou Nolan serves as the public address announcer throughout camp, just as he does for Flyers home games at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Steve Coates (emcee) and Jim Jackson will take part in a Q&A session (private event) on Saturday night.
After Sunday’s games, there’s another private event: a personal screening of the Cold War in Philly documentary.
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.
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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