PhHN Daily
PhHN Daily: Flyers Trade Talk; World Juniors; Leafs Coaching Rumors
It’s World Juniors season, and the Philadelphia Flyers have six prospects in the Twin Cities. After two days of the tournament, how are they playing? We also have the latest Flyers trade chatter, and an update on what’s next at World Juniors.
Around the league, we have one team that could make a big-time coaching change, wish lists, pivotal questions, and more.
Get it all on the 12/28 edition of the PhHN Daily.
Philadelphia Flyers
Philly Hockey Now: The Philadelphia Flyers have six prospects playing in the Twin Cities at the 2026 World Juniors. All six were in action on Friday for Day 1, where four registered a point. Check out all of the Flyers prospect action from Friday at World Juniors.
Just two Flyers’ prospects played on Saturday. Porter Martone, who scored an empty-netter on Friday, did not register a point in Saturday’s 2-1 overtime win vs. Latvia. However, he once again led all Canadian forwards with 19+ minutes, the only one to do so. He was the skater with the third most ice time.
Jett Luchanko played on Canada’s fourth line today and, once again, was relatively quiet. He did have a holding penalty relatively early into the game.
The USA took on Switzerland on Saturday and won 2-1 in regulation. Shane Vansaghi is the Flyers’ only prospect on Team USA, but was a scratch on Saturday.
On Sunday, there are just two games all day. The Flyers will have three prospects playing. First, it’s Jack Berlund and Sweden taking on Switzerland at 2:00 p.m. EST at Grand Casino Arena. That game is followed by Heikki Ruohonen, Max Westergard & Finland taking on Latvia at 4:30 p.m. EST at 3M Arena at Mariucci.
Daily Faceoff: The Minnesota Wild made a splash on Quinn Hughes, but Bill Guerin may not be done. Per a report, the Wild are still interested in Flyers’ forward Bobby Brink. The Flyers are loaded on the wing, so it could make sense, especially as Brink is a pending RFA.
I would take this with a grain of salt at the current moment, given the Flyers’ current position in the standings.
NHL rumors and news
SportsNet: Pete DeBoer’s name has been linked to the struggling Leafs’ season. Craig Berube’s seat may be hot, but DeBoer reached out to tell Toronto’s coach that he is not gunning for his job.
Vegas Hockey Now: Christmas may be over, but it’s never too late to ask your friends what they wished for. Hannah Kirkell over at Vegas Hockey Now wrote what some Golden Knights may have wished for, and what they need to get over the hump.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils could very well be the biggest what-if in the NHL right now. They are an absolute wild card, as they aren’t too loud right now, but can make some serious noise. As we head into the new year, James Nichols writes three pivotal questions about the Devils.
Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins have a pair of prospects lining up for the USA at World Juniors. Jack Studley breaks down their play from Game 1, including Will Zellers, who is having himself quite the tournament so far.
Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Surge; Devils Pulse; Penguins Trade Rumors
I am not sure that I want the Flyers making a deal with the Wild. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Guerin fleeced Briere at the draft in 2024, but he was able to obtain a player who was more NHL ready and he then went on to flip him in the Quinn Hughes deal. I think that there was more to that trade then just not wanting to draft Buium, but at this moment in time, that deal has favored the Wild a lot more than it did the Flyers.