The 2025 NHL free agent market was not one conducive to the Philadelphia Flyers saving money or driving bargains, but, historically, the Flyers haven't negotiated favorable contracts anyway.
Based on contract data and player performance put together by Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic, the Flyers rank below NHL average in average discounts on contracts signed over the last five years.
According to Luszczyszyn's information, the Flyers pay an extra $0.5 million on average, which ranks 19th in the NHL. Just three (Pittsburgh, Calgary, and Vancouver) of the 12 teams that saved money on average over the last five seasons missed the playoffs last year.
In fairness to the Flyers, they have negotiated quite a few decent contracts in recent months. For example, the Tyson Foerster and Cam York contracts were extremely team-friendly and allow for plenty of flexibility, both now and in the future.
On the other hand, contracts given to Joel Farabee (traded), Owen Tippett, Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny, Rasmus Ristolainen, Ivan Fedotov, and Christian Dvorak all fit the timeline criteria and have left room for debate to different degrees.
Dvorak hasn't played a game for the Flyers yet, but the online consensus seems to largely be that his one-year, $5.4 million deal was an overpay for an older, bit part player.
These are the types of contracts that push the Flyers towards the bottom of the league.
Ex-Flyers Defenseman Ivan Provorov Signs Absurd Contract Ahead of NHL Free AgencyThe Philadelphia Flyers have won the Ivan Provorov trade in more ways than one.
To nobody's surprise, Florida and Vegas, two states with no income tax, top Luszczyszyn's model, but also towards the top are the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey is one of the most punishing states in terms of taxes, and many of its players reside in expensive parts of North Jersey outside of Newark.
It makes for an interesting dynamic given that a good number of Flyers players also reside in New Jersey, in towns like Haddonfield and Cherry Hill, for example, and have to play by the same rules.
The Devils, as a young but more exciting team overall, benefit from having drafted Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt and signed them all early.
It makes them an attractive destination for free agents (Dougie Hamilton, for example) looking to win and be part of something long term.
NHL Free Agency: Flyers Won and Lost on Day 1The Philadelphia Flyers were the one team that won as much as it lost on Day 1 of NHL Free Agency.
With the recent additions of Trevor Zegras, Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, and Jamie Drysdale, the Flyers are hoping the project they're building can have the same effect.
But only time will tell if these players can bond together on the ice and/or reach their full potential in the NHL.