Did the Flyers improve? Here’s how the national media feels about the offseason moves they made (and didn’t)

The Flyers made the biggest splash of the NHL offseason by offer-sheeting Leo Carlsson with a then-record average annual value.

The league is already feeling the ripple effects of that tactic, as young stars like the Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini and Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard have new contract structures that reflect how the Flyers reset the market for top centers.

But ultimately, Carlsson is still an Anaheim Duck. The Flyers are insulated from the impact of their own move, because they still don’t have a young center on the roster.

So, how to assess the Flyers’ actual offseason moves? Here’s a roundup of what national media thought about the changes to the Flyers’ roster this summer:

“Brière did some tidy business to keep franchise pillars like Jamie Drysdale, Trevor Zegras, Tyson Foerster, and Dan Vladař on fair extensions, and was smart to shore up the crease with the acquisition of Joseph Woll to back up Vladař. And while we should not overlook the acquisition of Noel Acciari to solidify the middle-six, the lack of new faces to fortify this burgeoning roster makes this summer feel a little lacklustre relative to expectations.”

Elliotte Friedman recorded his offseason recap episode of 32 Thoughts before Anaheim decided to match the offer sheet. He questioned which moves the Flyers might make if it ultimately didn’t work out, but ultimately, the biggest piece the Flyers are missing is a true star.

“They’ve been building, they’ve been adding some good players, but they were like, we need a star. We need a difference maker. ... They aren’t drafting high enough to get that player.”

“They definitely get an A for effort as it relates to the Leo Carlsson offer sheet... In the end, however, it just did not work out as Anaheim matched it. Beyond that, it’s just been a lot of new contracts and re-signings for players already on the roster.”

Despite the Flyers making mostly minor additions in free agency, The Athletic’s data model rated it as the eighth-best NHL offseason, adding value in the bottom-six and in net.

“On the one hand, the Flyers’ goaltending situation received a major boost going from Samuel Ersson, one of the league’s worst goalies, to Joseph Woll, who has shown flashes of excellence when available. On the other hand, anything gained by that move was immediately lost going from [Emil] Andrae to Simon Benoit, one of the league’s worst defensemen.

“The Flyers’ biggest net gain comes from the improvement in their fourth line going from Garnet Hathaway to Noel Acciari. The latter showed some serious defensive chops, even while accounting for his lesser role. He helps give Philadelphia one of the league’s deepest bottom sixes.”

The Athletic’s NHL insider, Chris Johnston, said on his podcast that he sees the Flyers in a similar space to where the Montreal Canadiens have found themselves in the past. The Flyers have plenty of cap space, but the type of players they need to make a big leap aren’t easily acquired, and it might take another season or more to land the player they’re looking for.

“The Flyers are going to have to stay in the same marketplace and keep biding their time,” Johnston said. “Maybe there’s another offer-sheet situation, maybe there’ll be a trade possibility, but it’s going to be a challenge.”