The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NHL trade deadline.

Flyers’ trade deadline moves

In: D David Jiricek, F Luke Glendening, conditional 2027 seventh-round draft pick
Out: RW Bobby Brink, F Nic Deslauriers
Grade: C-

Flyers general manager Daniel Briere addressed the logjam at wing by shipping Brink to the Wild for a defenseman with high pedigree in Jiricek, who remains an intriguing prospect but whose development seems to have stalled. Jiricek will be on his third NHL team after he was drafted sixth in 2022 by Columbus (one spot after the Flyers picked Cutter Gauthier). He will report to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms at least to start, according to a team spokesperson.

But the bigger news may have been that they held on to defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who was thought to be generating interest from at least half a dozen teams. As it turned out, clubs such as the Red Wings, Stars and Sabres all went a different direction for right-shot defensemen, opting not to meet the price tag the Flyers had on Ristolainen of a first-round pick and a prospect. Perhaps the Flyers will opt to deal Ristolainen in the future, as he has one season left on his contract at a $5.1 million cap hit, but keeping him now feels like a missed opportunity for the Flyers to add more assets.

The Deslauriers deal was mostly about Briere doing a veteran, well-liked teammate a favor by moving him to a contending club. The 35-year-old tough guy is a pending unrestricted free agent.  — Kevin Kurz

What they’re saying

Travis Konecny, on losing Bobby Brink: “It’s tough. He’s one of the guys that I got really close with. It kind of feels like the (Scott) Laughton trade. I love Bob, I was super close with him. Great kid. It’s awful when the time comes here that we’re gong to be having success, he’s a guy that you wish we had with us and go through it with him, because he’s been working his butt off just as much as anyone has. It’s tough. But it’s part of the business, and wish him nothing but the best, other than when he plays us.”

Noah Cates, who has been Brink’s linemate for the past season and a half, said: “We kind of came in together. Last year with Tyson (Foerster), this year with (Matvei Michkov), we’ve been together the past two years and obviously he’s helped me a ton with my game. Hopefully he can say the same about me. … So it’s sad, but happy he’s going back home to a really good team. Definitely a shock, and still processing it. It still doesn’t feel too real. Just a great kid and means a lot to me. Nothing but the best for him in his career.”

What it means for the team’s lineup

According to a team source, the Flyers are expected to recall prospect Alex Bump from the Phantoms to fill the vacancy left by Brink. In 36 games with the Phantoms, Bump has 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists).

Glendening gives the Flyers a fourth-line center, which was the role that Rodrigo Abols was filling before an ankle injury in January likely ended his season.

One possibility to replace Deslauriers will be Garrett Wilson, the Phantoms’ captain, who was on an AHL deal until the club signed him to a two-way NHL contract on Thursday. The 34-year-old has 84 career games of NHL experience, with two goals and six assists for eight points.