According to reports, the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] have bolstered their organizational center depth with one of the NCAA’s top free agent forwards. On Sunday afternoon, PuckPedia reported that the Flyers have agreed to terms on a one-year, entry-level contract with free agent Ohio State forward Riley Thompson, which will begin in the 2026-27 season. Thompson, 23, scored 13 goals, 14 assists, and 27 points in 37 games with Ohio State this season, and produced a career-high 17 goals, 16 assists, and 33 points in 40 games with the school last season. The 6-foot-4 Orleans, Ontario, native will be a restricted free agent when his contract expires next offseason. It is currently unclear if or when Thompson will join the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/top-flyers-prospect-already-cooking-in-new-environment], the Flyers' minor-league affiliates, for the rest of this season on an AHL contract or professional tryout basis. According to PuckPedia, Thompson's salary will be $922.5k, and he'll receive a $102.5k signing bonus from the Flyers. As he's on a two-way contract, Thompson will earn $85k playing in the AHL on this deal. With players like Phil Tomasino, Karsen Dorwart, Jacob Gaucher, Tucker Robertson, Lane Pederson, Anthony Richard, and Boris Katchouk [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-flip-recent-trade-acquisition-for-new-forward] all playing on expiring deals, the Flyers needed to add forward depth for the AHL and NHL clubs next season, and did so by inking a high-upside player in Thompson.
