Flyers Focus: Grebenkin, Wilson and More

The Flyers blogs on Hockey Hot Stove are powered by Phans of PhillyLiberty Valuation Group,  New Balance of Mount Laurel, The Mens and Boys Store, Carl’s Cards and CollectiblesTeam Toyota, Brian Propp’s Guffaw CigarsSummit Public Adjusters, Marat Ioshpa’s State Farm Insurance agency and our newest sponsor, Joe Rivera of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Flyers Phantoms Bump

According to Cap Wages, the Philadelphia Flyers have $15.87 million of available cap space for the 2026-27 season. Puckpedia projects their available space at $13.9 million with a 23-man roster. Cap Wages has a 21-man roster at present.

General manager Daniel Briere has everyone on the projected NHL roster signed, with the exception of Nikita Grebenkin.

Does Briere intend to go into next season with essentially the current roster? Alternatively, is he looking at a potential blockbuster after the Anaheim Ducks matched Philadelphia’s offer sheet to Leo Carlsson?

“”We’re trying to do some things, and there’s things that we’re constantly looking at and trying to improve,” Briere said.

“At the same time, we worked hard to get this cap space. You remember three years ago how we were in really bad shape there. We worked hard, and what we want to make sure is that we can use it in a proper manner where it’s going to help the team moving forward…. We’re looking to do different things. I’m not saying it’s going to work, but yeah, there’s different things we’re looking at that might eat up our salary cap.”

In an upcoming blog we’ll look at some possibilities.

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Phantoms captain Wilson returns to Lehigh Valley

Rugged veteran forward Garrett Wilson, the longtime captain of the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, finished the 2025-26 season in the NHL with the Flyers. Wilson dressed in three games for the Flyers. Most notably, Wilson dropped the gloves with fellow veteran enforcer Ryan Reaves in San Jose. He was the Philadelphia nominee for the Masterton Trophy.

On Wednesday, the 35-year-old Wilson signed a one-year AHL contract with the Phantoms. For NHL contract purposes, Wilson remains a free agent.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound forward has appeared in parts of 15 seasons and 751 AHL games with the San Antonio Rampage (2011-15), Portland Pirates (2015-16), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2016-19), Toronto Marlies (2019-20), and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He has recorded 156 goals and 197 assists for 353 points in the league.

A native of Barrie, Ontario, Wilson was originally selected by the Florida Panthers in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft. He has appeared in 84 NHL games with the Florida Panthers (2013-16) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2018-19), recording eight points (two goals, six assists).

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Team Toyota Spotlight: Nikita Grebenkin

Twenty-three-year-old winger Nikita Grebenkin won an NHL roster spot out of training camp last year. He outplayed Alex Bump, who entered camp as the favorite to open the season with the Flyers. Grebenkin spent the entire 2025-26 season in the NHL squad with the Flyers.

Grebenkin had his expected share of ups and downs in his rookie season. At his best, Grebenkin was effective on the boards — Rick Tocchet often used the word “sticky” to describe the player’s ability to win 50-50 puck battles. He also shows a bit of offensive upside from time to time.

Overall, the Russian forward dressed in 55 of the 82 games during the regular season. Offensively, he posted 14 points (4g, 10a). Grebenkin primarily skated in the bottom six of the forward lineup. However, he periodically moved up during a few games.

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Unfortunately, Grebenkin’s season ended prematurely. While initially given a 7-to-10 day recovery timeline from a March 21 injury, the issue lingered and caused him to miss the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. After the season, general manager Danny Briere stated that the injury didn’t improve as expected. Grebenkin and team doctors sought alternative treatment options,

Consequently, the forward’s availability to start the upcoming season on time is uncertain. However, by late June, Grebenkin took part in light skills drills with Flyers prospects.

Grebenkin remains an unsigned restricted free agent. However, his eventual signing should not be complicated. He earned $875,000 last year. His next deal will see a modest — but not dramatic — increase.

As a rookie, Grebenkin showed some improvement in his defensive game. He still needs more consistency overall. However, the player has a reasonably promising foundation from which to work.

Flyers Daily: Special guest Al Morganti

Jason Myrtetus has anther installment of the “State of the Flyers” series. This time, his special guest is Hockey Hall of Fame writer and media personality Al Morganti. The 30-minute program features in-depth discussion on how the Flyers have gotten to where they are, how to get to the next level, and a little Flyers history added to the mix.

Flyers

Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp countdown

The 12th annual edition of the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp is sold out.

Camp is right around the corner from August 14 to 17, 2026, at the Class of 1923 Arena on the University of Pennsylvania campus. This year’s Flyers Alumni coaches: Mark Recchi, Mark Howe, Patrick Sharp, Joe Watson, Tim Kerr, Keith Jones, and Robert Esche. Flyers Alumni president Brad Marsh is also scheduled to participate as a coach. Marsh, however, is currently hobbled with a knee issue.

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Collectors Corner: Powered by Carl’s Cards and Collectibles

In upcoming days, look for our next autographed Flyers collectible giveaway from Carl’s Cards and Collectibles of Havertown, PA. Our last contest — a photo autographed by Bobby Clarke. Bernie Parent, Rick MacLeish, Keith Primeau and Mike Knuble — was our most popular to date. Winner of the random drawing: Annie Urban.

In recent months, we’ve also given away prizes sponsored by Guffaw Cigars (limited edition sampler box, autographed by Flyers Hall of Fame member Brian Propp) and by the Men’s and Boys Store ($100 register gift card). We have other giveaways planned before the start of the season.

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Cold War in Philly

Flyers Community Caravan schedule

Flyers Summer Caravan schedule

Every summer, the Flyers Caravan tour comes around to various areas to promote the upcoming season. There are always special autograph-signing appearances by Flyers Alumni. Likewise, Gritty, the Ice Team, and in-arena host Everett Jackson are regulars at these events. There are also swag giveaways, inflatables and other family-friendly attractions. Preliminary dates:

Wednesday, July 29 – Voorhees, NJ  

5:30-7:30 PM | Flyers Training Center | 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

Tuesday, August 4 – Cape May, NJ  

2:00-4:00 PM | Congress Hall Great Lawn | 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204 

Wednesday, August 5 – Mays Landing, NJ  

6:00-8:00 PM | Mays Landing Ball Hockey | 3155 Leipzig Ave, Mays Landing, NJ 08330  

Thursday, August 6 – Ocean City, NJ 

12:00-2:00 PM | Sport and Civic Center | 6th St and the Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Wednesday, August 19 – Exton, PA 

5:30-7:30 PM | Miller Park | 220 Miller Way, Exton, PA 19341

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