The Flyers blogs on Hockey Hot Stove are powered by Phans of Philly, Liberty Valuation Group, New Balance of Mount Laurel, The Mens and Boys Store, Carl’s Cards and Collectibles, Team Toyota, Brian Propp’s Guffaw Cigars, Summit Public Adjusters, and State Farm Insurance.
In this weeks edition of Monday with Meltzer, Jason Myrtetus and I had tons to discuss about the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to Leo Carlsson. We discuss the structure of the contract, the ins and outs of the offer sheet rules, and the impact on league-wide perception of the Flyers, especially among players. How do the Flyers become a “destination” team again? They needed to make a very bold move to declare they are driven to compete for the long haul.
It’s been 12 years since the Flyers, in 2014, declared their intention to rebuild. In that time, there have been fits and starts. There have been a lot more downs than ups in the results. Meanwhile, in addition to mistakes at various levels, there has also been some downright rotten luck.
One thing there hasn’t been: a bold statement the organization is tired of sitting on the sidelines. That is, until now. General manager Daniel Briere said that he’d take a bold step if the right situation and player came along. The Flyers just put their money — $90 million worth — on the line to back that up.
Jason and I are of different mindsets about the outcome. He thinks Anaheim will ultimately decline to match. He believes they’ll take the four first-round Draft picks and use the massive trade capital to find a different route. They already have Cutter Gauthier (a restricted free agent) and Beckett Sennecke (an extension candidate next summer) as nucleus pieces.
I suspect that Anaheim matches the offer sheet. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has never been one to back down from anything. Even when the wisest course was to (literally or metaphorically) skate away and live to fight another day, that’s never been his MO. If this decision comes down to owner Henry Samueli weighs the pro and cons on a financial ledger sheet, the Ducks will let Carlsson walk. If it comes down to pride and ego, they’ll match it and figure out Gauthier and other roster moves later.
Anaheim threw down a gauntlet to the entire NHL in saying Carlsson was untouchable in trade proposals and they’d match any offer sheet. Briere and the Flyers put that resolve to the test. Do I think Verbeek can convince Samueli the status of the organization itself is on the line? Yes.
Do I think Samueli will be OK with how much money Verbeek’s stubbornness will ultimately cost between Carlsson, Gauthier, Pavel Mintukov (re-signed yesterday) and a Sennecke extension next year?Absolutely not. The Mintykov signing to head off an offer sheet already cost the team money over what a proactive extension would have cost.
Cold War in Philly: Upcoming Showings
There are eight new showings added to the schedule for Joe Amodei’s Cold War in Philadelphia documentary about the 1976 game between the Flyers and CSKA Moscow (Red Army). The schedule is below:
Wilmington: Friday, July 17, 2026
Theatre N (21 W. Tenth Street)
Ticket Information
Oaks, PA: Fri. July 17, Sat. July 18, Sun. July 19, Mon. July 20
Oaks Center Cinema (180 Mill Rd.)
Ticket Information
Sellersville, PA: Thursday , August 13
Sellersville Theatre (24 West Temple Ave.)
Ticket Information
Bryn Mawr, PA: Wednesday, September 2
Bryn Mawr Film Institute (824 W. Lancaster Ave.)
Ticket Information
Lexington, MA: Monday, September 21
Lexington Venue (1794 Massachusetts Ave)
Ticket Information
