Key departures
Ryan Poehling, F: Was sent to Anaheim as part of the trade for Zegras. Poehling had an NHL career-high 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 68 games last season. … Jakob Pelletier, F: Signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2. The 24-year-old had 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 49 games with the Flyers and Calgary Flames last season, including eight points (three goals, five assists) in 25 games after Philadelphia acquired him in a trade Jan. 31.
On the cusp
Alex Bump, F: After helping Western Michigan win the NCAA championship with 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 42 games, the 21-year-old had three points (one goal, two assists) with Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League and two goals in seven AHL playoff games. He could be the biggest beneficiary if Foerster is out to start the season. … Porter Martone, F: The 18-year-old, selected with the No. 6 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft, will play at Michigan State this season. Martone had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games for Brampton of the Ontario Hockey League last season. … Oliver Bonk, D: The 20-year-old had 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists) in 52 games for London of the OHL last season, and helped London win the OHL and Memorial Cup championships. Selected in the first round (No. 22) in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bonk could make his NHL debut as he turns pro this season. … Jett Luchanko, F: The 18-year-old didn’t have a point in four games to start last season with the Flyers and had three assists in nine games for Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League to end it. He had 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 46 games for Guelph of the OHL after being selected in the first round (No. 13) by the Flyers in 2024. … Nikita Grebenkin, F: The 22-year-old was acquired as part of a trade that sent forward Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 7. Selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round (No. 135) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Grebenkin did not have a point in seven NHL with Toronto last season. He had 28 points (12 goals, 16 assists) in 50 AHL games.