The Philadelphia Flyers are entering a crucial offseason in 2025. After a disappointing 2024-25 season that saw them finish near the bottom of the NHL standings and miss the playoffs for the fifth straight year, General Manager Daniel Briere is under pressure to make significant improvements. While the team has promising prospects and a rising salary cap, questions linger about the long-term viability of certain players, including forward Owen Tippett.
Tippett, 26, is coming off a season where he recorded 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points in 77 games. While these numbers aren't terrible, they represent a step back from his previous two seasons where he scored 27 and 28 goals respectively. This dip in production has raised concerns about whether Tippett can consistently be a top-line scorer.
The Flyers signed Tippett to an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension in January 2024, carrying a $6.2 million annual cap hit. While the team was confident in his potential at the time, a repeat of his 2024-25 performance could make that contract look like an overpayment. The risk is that if Tippett's offensive output continues to decline, his $6.2 million cap hit could become a burden, especially as the Flyers aim to become a competitive team.
One of the Flyers' biggest needs is at center. The team lacks a true top-line center. With limited options available via free agency, Briere may need to explore the trade market to acquire a high-end center. The Flyers possess valuable assets, including multiple first and second-round picks in the upcoming draft, which could be used in a potential trade.
Trading Tippett could free up cap space to acquire a center. Several potential trade targets have been identified, including Mason McTavish, and Elias Pettersson. Acquiring any of these players would require a significant package of assets.
However, trading Tippett would create a void at wing. While the Flyers have other promising wingers like Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and Tyson Foerster, Tippett's size and scoring ability would be missed. Furthermore, the Flyers may prefer to keep Foerster over Tippett because Foerster is younger, potentially cheaper, and has a higher ceiling.
Ultimately, the Flyers' decision regarding Tippett will depend on several factors, including his performance in the upcoming season, the availability of other players via trade or free agency, and the team's overall cap situation. If Tippett bounces back and has a strong season, the Flyers will likely keep him as part of their core. However, if he struggles again, Briere may have to consider the possibility of trading him to address other needs and maximize the team's cap flexibility. The Flyers have around $19 million in cap space. They may use it to target players in free agency.
The Flyers are aiming to transition from a rebuilding phase to a competitive team in the near future. Briere has acknowledged the need to add talent to the roster and improve the team's overall performance. The Flyers have a surplus of draft picks and a rising salary cap, giving them the flexibility to make significant moves.
