Ryan Poehling and Mason McTavish (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/780cafd6-95a2-419e-99d2-0386f57da63f.jpeg] Ryan Poehling and Mason McTavish (Kyle Ross-Imagn Images) Most of the speculation regarding the Philadelphia Flyers has focused on their potential replacements [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-what-should-the-flyers-do-after-firing-tortorella] for fired coach John Tortorella. Candidates range [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/who-should-be-the-flyers-next-coach-four-potential-first-timers] from interim coach Brad Shaw and the University of Denver's David Carle to Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet. As the off-season approaches, there is growing conjecture over their roster plans. GM Daniel Briere is reportedly open [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-future-of-rangers-kreider-and-flyers-summer-plans] to using one of his three first-round picks in this year's draft as trade bait to acquire an established young player. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic wondered [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6279166/2025/04/15/flyers-offer-sheet-candidates/] if Briere might consider going the offer-sheet route this summer. He pointed out the Flyers GM isn't afraid to make bold moves during the off-season. Kurz suggested Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks], Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] as potential offer-sheet targets [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-the-latest-on-maple-leafs-mitch-marner]. However, there's no certainty that those pending RFAs will be open to entertaining offers from other clubs. McTavish could be an intriguing possibility. Anaheim has a projected cap space [https://puckpedia.com/team/anaheim-ducks] of $38.6 million with 16 active roster players under contract for next season. Kurz points out that the rebuilding Ducks usually don't spend to the cap ceiling, noting they must ensure they have sufficient long-term space for rising stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. Kurz believes fixing their goaltending should be the Flyers' priority [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6267758/2025/04/10/flyers-goaltending-samuel-ersson-ivan-fedotov/]. Their team save percentage (.879) and goals-against per game (3.43) are among the league's worst. The Flyers could stick with Samuel Ersson as their starter and have Ivan Fedotov as their No. 3. Aleksei Kolosov is reportedly returning [https://phillyhockeynow.com/2025/04/14/rumor-aleksei-kolosov-to-return-to-khl-after-flyers-season/] to Belarus following this season. Kurz suggested Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils] and oft-injured Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] could be the best option in a thin free-agent market for goaltenders. Trade options could include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks]. Thatcher Demko might be available if the Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks] decide to part with him after signing Kevin Lankinen to a contract extension. Briere could also be in the market for a young prospect with another club who could soon be NHL-ready. The Hockey News' Jonathan Bailey suggested [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/why-a-flyers-trade-for-isaac-howard-makes-perfect-sense] the Flyers' seven picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft could help them make a competitive bid for Isaac Howard if the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] decide to trade the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/unsigned-lightning-prospect-isaac-howard-wins-hobey-baker-will-he-hit-2026-nhl-free-agency]. Correction: Marco Rossi is the Wild's pending RFA. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
