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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale is scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing on Monday, July 20. Subsequently, forward Trevor Zegras is set for the 22nd. However, according to two organization sources, the Flyers believe that both contracts will be hammered out ahead of going to hearings.
In other Flyer news:
- Look for the Flyers to announce their home opener on Wednesday. It’s been rumored for weeks that the Flyers will host the arch-rival Pittsburgh Penguins in the home opener. Details to follow.
- The NHL will release the full regular season schedule on Thursday, June 16.
O&B Puckcast: Mondays with Meltzer
Thank yo to Isaiah and Dan Marcus for having me on the O&B Puckcast panel.Chef is on vacation. On this episode, we break down the Flyers’ biggest offseason questions after the Anaheim Ducks matched Philadelphia’s offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.
What does the failed pursuit of Carlsson reveal about the organization’s mindset? Can the Flyers realistically accelerate their rebuild, or is patience still the best path forward? The panel also examines whether the club’s draft strategy has limited its future trade flexibility and discusses whether GM Daniel Briere has any significant moves left to make this summer—or if meaningful roster changes will have to wait until the regular season.
The conversation wraps up with a look ahead to training camp, including the new contracts for Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, the expected development of last season’s young players over a full campaign, the likelihood of Rasmus Ristolainen remaining with the Flyers , and plenty more.
Team Toyota Spotlight: David Jiricek
Twenty-two year old defensman David Jiricek has a golden opportunity in front of him come training camp. The big right-shooting defenseman will receive every opportunity to earn an opening-night roster spot. He’s no longer waiver exempt, so now is the time for the Czech blueliner to step forward.
The Columbus Blue Jackets originally drafted Jiricek sixth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, one spot after the Flyers selected winger Cutter Gauthier. Jiricek made his NHL debut the very next season, although he primarily played in the American Hockey League (Cleveland Monsters).
Unfortunately, Jiricek has had his share of growing pains since his Draft year. He’s shown flashed of high-level potential but has struggled with reads and decision-making in both the NHL (85 games) and AHL. Accordingly, he’s now in his third NHL organization. The Flyers obtained Jiricek in a one-for-one swap with the Minnesota Wild for Bobby Brink.
This past season before the trade to Philadelphia, Jiricek struggled mightily for much of his time with the Iowa Wild. On the bright side, he posted 12 points (2g, 10a) in 24 games. However, he was very miscue-prone. Things got better after he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, especially on the offensive side of puck (13 points in 15 games). He was not immune from some of the same errors that plagued him with Iowa but he started to trend back in a more positive direction.
Jiricek made his Flyers debut in the final game of the regular season. With the Phantoms missing the playoffs, Jiricek was available to the NHL parent team during the playoffs. He did not dress in any games.
One of the big knocks on Jiricek has always been his skating. In reality, his straight-line skating is no worse than adequate. His areas of needed improvement are more in lateral footwork and decision-making than in lacking north-south speed. Jiricek has a booming shot and sees the ice well. He also has some physicality to his game on his 6-foot-4 frame.
It’s hardly uncommon in the NHL for defensemen — especially ones Jiricek’s size — to need more development time. The drafting team gets the growing pains. The player’s second or third organization unlocks the finished product. Jiricek isn’t quite there yet, but there’s at least a potential road map to get there.
Come training camp, Jiricek will compete with 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk. Both players are right-handed shooters. Jiricek has shown solid coachability and work ethic. Other potential camp competition includes Ty Murchison and Hunter McDonald.
Michkov update
Flyers right winger Matvei Michkov seems to have learned a lesson for his experience last summer. This time around, the Russian forward seems to be focused on his conditioning. He’s chosen to spend the first half of the summer home in Russia.However, h’s engaged in an intensive conditioning program with other Russian NHL players under the auspices of Dmitry Yashankin. Moreover, he is regular contact with the Flyers’ orginization.
There are still on-ice adjustments the Flyers want Michkov to make once he’s back in Voorhees. However, the first part of the equation seems to be falling in place. He figures to report to camp in significantly better shape than last year.
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
What can the Flyers expect from Noel Acciari
In the opening hours of free agency on July 1, the Flyers signed 34-year-old veteran center/winger Noel Acciari to a two-year ($2.8 million AAV) contract. Most likely, the player will replace the role formerly played by Garnet Hathaway. He also brings some versatility like unsigned free agent Luke Glendening.
Eariier this past week, Acciari did an introductory Zoom call with the Philadelphia media. For more, click here or watch below.
Flyers Alumni calendar
The 12th annual edition of the Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp is right around the corner from August 14 to 17, 2026, at the Class of 1923 Arena on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Due to a recent cancellation, two spots opened up for the usually sold-out event.
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.
Additionally, current active military members, veterans, and first responders are eligible to take advantage of a $1,000 discount offer on registration. The discount is offered through Flyers Alumni sponsor Camden Apothecary.
Welcome aboard new Hockey Hot Stove sponsor Joe Rivera of Coldwell Banker Realty of New Jersey. If Joe’s name sounds famiilar, it’s because he was a Phantoms equipment manager during their years in Philadelphia. Joe also served as the backup goaltender when Brian Boucher or Neil Little were unavailable to dress for a game. Meanwhile, Joe remains a Flyers Alumni Fantasy Camp regular on the equipment management crew.
Moving forward, Joe’s realty office will be the content co-sponsor for all Flyers prospect and Flyers Alumni features at Hockey Hockey Hot Stove along with Flyers Hall of Famer Brian Propp’s premium Guffaw Cigar line.
Cold War in Philly: Amazon Prime debut tonight
Joe Amodei’s Cold War in Philly documentary about the 1976 game between the Flyers and the Red Army debuts on Amazon Prime on July 12 at 9:30 p.m. PDT (12:30 a.m. EDT). Pre-orders are available now.
HHS Giveaway: Congratulations to Annie Urban
Courtesy of Carl’s Cards and Collectibles of Havertown, PA, Hockey Hot Stove gave away a limited edition autographed photo signed by Flyers legends Bernie Parent (RIP), Bobby Clarke, Rick MacLeish (RIP), Keith Primeau and Mike Knuble. There were only 50 of these photos signed by that combination of five Flyers Alumni.
As we’ve done with previous giveaways — and will continue to do — we selected a winner by random drawing. The winner: Annie Urban. She plans to surprise her daughter, Lucy, with the signed photo.
The contest drew more than 38,000 views on X and nearly 40K including Facebook. There were hundreds of valid entries submitted.
We’ll be doing two new ramdom drawing contests imminently: 1) Another autographed item supplied by Carl’s Cards, 2) our second Guffaw Cigar sampler pack giveaway personally signed by Flyers Hall of Famer Brian Propp. Best of luck to all!
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