Broad Street Buzz

Danny Briere shocked the NHL when he dropped a bomb of an offer sheet on the Ducks on Friday. Leo Carlsson agreed to sign a five-year, $18 million contract. The Ducks will have seven days to match, or they can take four first-round picks, one in each of the next four seasons, from Philadelphia. It's not just the $18 million that could give Anaheim pause in matching. The deal is heavily frontloaded and structured mostly on bonuses.

Apr 1, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) celebrates after a goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Pat Verbeek made himself rather clear. Tender an offer sheet to Leo Carlsson, and he was going to make it no matter what. The Ducks allotted room to sign him, but three days into free agency, nothing. So, the question became: would anyone try to call his bluff on it?

Flyers fans were sent into a blaze during the opening of free agency when speculation arose that the team was interested in a reunion with Claude Giroux. Sentimentally, his tenure with Philadelphia should've never ended the way it did. He was supposed to spend his entire career with the franchise, finally leading them to the promised land. But for many reasons, including some that fell on him, that didn't happen.

While the Flyers were in the mix for some of free agencies biggest names, adding some depth to their lineup was important as well. After inking Dan Vladar and Tyson Foerster to long-term extensions, they dipped their toes into the free agent pool. After facing him in the first-round of the playoffs, Philadelphia is bringing in former rival Noel Acciari.

Dan Vladar wasn't an unknown goaltender when he came to Philadelphia, but he was largely unproven beyond a backup role. He had never been a starting goaltender in the league, playing behind the likes of Jakob Markstrom and Dustin Wolf during his time in Calgary. The Flyers, needing a better option in the net, took a chance on Vladar. He came to Philadelphia largely because he wanted to compete for a starting role.

While there may have been more focus on the Flyers needing to add more center depth or left side defensemen, there was another position that had seemingly gone by the wayside. The Flyers hadn't drafted a goaltender since 2023, when they took Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin. Bjarnason debuted in the AHL this season, and while he started well, he seemed to hit the wall in January. He will need plenty of developmental time in the AHL.

As the NHL Draft moves on, there have been plenty of fun and heartwarming stories to share. Caleb Malhotra was drafted to the Canucks, where his father just became head coach. The Penguins drafted Liam and Markus Ruck, keeping them together whenever they hit the NHL. And Jaxon Clover, who only started playing ice hockey five years ago, was the final pick of the first round. Oftentimes, players get drafted to the team they were a fan of growing up.

The Flyers went with the big, bruising defenseman, and will have to have an extremely patient approach with his development. BRAMPTON, CANADA - FEBRUARY 28: Maksim Sokolovskii #17 of the London Knights skates against the Brampton Steelheads at the CAA Centre on February 28, 2026 in Brampton, Canada. (Photo by John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images) | Photo by John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images There was some speculation ahead of and during the draft that the Flyers could trade down in the first round.

We've made it to the NHL Draft, and there have already been plenty of picks trading hands. And with a few hours still to go, it may not be the end of it. With a draft class that many believe is not the strongest, it hasn't been a surprise to see so many teams giving up their picks. Danny Briere previously shared he didn't feel the Flyers were at the point where they could begin thinking about trading away first-round draft picks.

Free agency is still a week away, but the frenzy around the NHL has been chaotic. We finally got the trade deadline we've all been asking for, just a few months later. Big names have moved, and many draft picks have changed hands. And some of the biggest names have not only landed in the Eastern Conference but specifically in the Metropolitan. The Flyers haven't gotten involved yet, though rumors have continued to fly about Rasmus Ristolainen and a potential fit with the Senators.