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Flyers re-sign depth center Gaucher
The Flyers signed 25-year-old center Jacob Gaucher to a one-year, two-way contract on Thursday. The Longueuil, Quebec native has appeared in a combined eight NHL games the past two seasons. Meanwhile, he’s become an AHL mainstay with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Gaucher contributed back-to-back 20-goal seasons in 2024-25 and 2025-26 with 38 and 34 points respectively. Ian Laperriere and John Snowden each deployed Gaucher in a variety of different game situations.
Gaucher is also very popular among his Phantoms teammates and fans. Undrafted out of the QMJHL, Gaucher started his pro career in the ECHL with the Reading Royals. He diligently worked his way up to the AHL and, eventually, an NHL contract.
At the NHL level, Gaucher is strictly a fourth-line fill-in to stem the tide in case of injuries.He’ll continue to be a depth option in 2026-27. Gaucher’s new contract pays the NHL minimum ($850,000) at the top level.
Prospect Watch: What to expect from Pautov
Last week, the Flyers signed 20-year-old right winger Ilya Pautov to an entry-level contract. The organization’s sixth-round pick (173rd overall) from the 2024 Draft will join the Phantoms for the 2026-27 campaign.
Pautov is the fifth player from the Flyers’ 2024 Draft class to sign a pro contract. He joins Jett Luchanko, Jack Berglund, Spencer Gill, Jett Luchanko, and Noah Powell.
Pautov’s early signing comes as a surprise. The Novosibirsk native had not yet made his KHL debut before signing his ELC. This season, The 5-foot-11, 167-pound forward recorded 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) at the MHL (junior) level in 30 games with CSKA Jr. Moscow. Pautov ranked third on the team in points per game among players who played in 20 or more games contests. He added 10 points (4g, 6a) in nine playoff games.
The young forward also made his professional debut this season, appearing in 25 games at the VHL (minor league) level with Moscow Zvezda. He received sparing ice time, as is normal for most players his age, but chipped in five points (1g. 4a).
Pautov is a finesse-oriented forward with good hands and creativity with the puck on his stick. By all accounts, he has a long way to go developmentally, both from a physical standpoint and in terms of translating his all-around game to become an NHL candidate.
Potential Flyers trade target: Dylan Larkin
Detroit Red Wings star Dylan Larkin dominated the non-Cup Final news in recent days. Numerous outlets report that he’s requested a trade this summer.
If Larkin is willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Philadelphia, I’d think general manager Daniel Briere will try his best to make something happen. However, Larkin will have many teams interested. Simultaneously, the skilled and speedy center — who turns 30 at the end of July — is not an easy player on whom to set a fair trade value. He’s a proven NHL star but by no means a superstar or a franchise player.
The speedy Larkin is a perennial 30 to 34 goal scorer. He’s never reached 80 points or 35 goals in a season, but has flirted with both marks. The Red Wings captain has not played in the Stanley Cup playoffs since his rookie NHL season (2015-16). He has major international tournament experience with Team USA including the 2026 Olympics.
Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman drives a hard bargain. He’s very likely to set a high-price tag — perhaps even excessively high — with teams that call to inquire about a Larkin trade. However, the fact that Larkin’s trade request went public does not held the Red Wings’ leverage.
Flyers Alumni Charity Classic: Walk/Run/Ride
The annual Flyers Alumni Charity Classic weekend will be held from June 13 to 15, 2026: Three events, three locations over three days. On Friday, June 13, there is a pickleball tournament at Bounce Pickle bleball in Malvern, PA. The next day is the Walk/Run Ride in Conshohocken, PA. The three-day whirlwind concludes with the now sold-out Alumni Golf tournament at Dupont Country Club in Malvern, PA.
Charity Classic Weekend provides an exclusive opportunity to have a great time alongside Flyers Alumni from every generation of team history. Alumni taking part in some — or all — of the events include Hockey of Famers such as as Mark Howe and Mark Recchi, Flyers Hall of Fame members like Rick Tocchet, John LeClair, Brian Propp the Watson brothers and other fan favorites like the Sutter twins, Brian Boucher, Scott Hartnell, Bill Clement and many more.
Flyers Daily: Mondays with Meltzer
Dylan Larkin’s reported trade request — the potential price tag, alternative options, etc. — dominates much of my discussion with Jason Myrtetus in this week’s Monday with Meltzer. We also discuss the wild Stanley Cup Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights through the first three games. Shifting gears, we discuss the rumored five-year extension for Dan Vladar and other topics. The episode runs nearly 45 minutes.
Team Toyota Draft Spotlight: Maddox Dagenais
In Thursday’s Team Toyota Draft Spotlight, we have looked at USHL center Jack Hextall, BU center Tynan Lawrence and Swedish blueliner Malte Gustafsson. Today’s entry: QMJHL center/winger Maddox Dagenais of the Quebec Remparts.
The Flyers historically take a best-available player approach with their first pick of the Draft. They do not draft by positional need in the system until subsequent picks. If the big-framed (6-foot-4, 196 pound) Montreal native remains on the board when the 21st overall pick comes up, Dagenais is a prime candidate for selection by the Flyers. If he ultimately plays wing as a pro, Dagenais would not match the primary positional needs in the system. Nevertheless, his upside may be hard to ignore.
Dagenais, a former first overall pick in the QMJHL Draft, possesses three intriguing traits: speed, size and scoring potential. He’s not reluctant to shoot the puck or take the body. When he throws his weight around, especially with signature reverse hits, Dagenais is a sight to behold. in addition to their own scouting staff, the Flyers have solid Intel on the player from Remparts general manager Simon Gagne.
It’s easy to be intrigued by what Dagenais shows when he’s at his best. There’s a catch, however: inconsistency. He’s been streaky so far. Dagenais has left observers wanting more than he shows when he’s not locked in.
Statistically, Dagenais underwhelmed at the 2026 Under-18 World Championships (1g, 1a). His most notable moments was a highlight reel hit Dagenais threw against Slovakia. Correspondingly, he’s a divisive prospect int the scouting community. Is he better off at wing than center? Is he reliable enough to project him in an NHL top nine if his top-six offensive upside doesn’t pan out?
The young player’s father, Pierre, is a former NHL player. Dagenais turned 18 on March 27.
Cold War in Philly: Upcoming Showings
Each of the first four showings of the Cold War in Philly documentary have sold out, including tonight’s showing in Doylestown. Tickets remain for the following four screenings.
- June 9th: The Ambler Theater (Ambler, PA) — Post-screening Q&A moderated by Sam Carchidi with Flyers Hall of Fame brothers Joe and Jimmy Watson. Tickets are $13.50. Click here.
- June 16th: Newtown Theater (Newtown, PA) — Post screening Q&A with Joe Amodei and Bill Meltzer. Tickets are $14. Click here.
- June 18th: Bryn Mawr Film Institute (Bryn Mawr, PA) — Post-screening Q&A moderated by Sam Carchidi with Joe Amodei, Joe and Jimmy Watson. Tickets are $16.25. Click here.
- June 25th: White Rabbit Theater (Phoenixville, PA) — Post-screening Q&A moderated by Sam Carchidi with Joe Amodei, Joe and Jimmy Watson. Tickets are $18 or $20. Click here.
Collectors Corner: Clarke, Hextall and Vladar
Hall of Fame legend Bob Clarke is doing a private signing event at Carl’s Cards and Collectibles in Havertown, PA. Items for Clarke to sign are due by June 24. Clarke will be in the store that day to sign the items. For more info, click here.
Meanwhile, Flyers Hall of Fame goaltender and former general manager Ron Hextall is doing his own private signing for Carl’s on June 29. For info, click here.
Additionally, current Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will do an open-to-the-public (tickets requires) in-store signing at Carl’s on Saturday, August 29. Autographs are $49 each. Photo ops are $39 each. Inscriptions are $20 each. For info, click here.
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.
