New Metro Team Linked To Free Agent Vladimir Tarasenko
Per NHL Network's Mike Rupp, Vladimir Tarasenko would be a strong fit in Philadelphia. "I think the Flyers are a team that needs more finishers," Rupp said. "Just like I talked about Patrik Laine not needing many opportunities to shoot the puck and score, Vlad Tarasenko is the same way. I'd like to see him in Philly. I think that would help them out."
A Power Play That Desperately Needs Help
Philadelphia's power play converted at just 15.7 percent last season, dead last in the entire NHL. Rupp specifically pointed to that stat as the reason a proven shooter like Tarasenko makes sense, believing he could give the Flyers the kind of finishing touch they've lacked on the man advantage.
How is Vladimir Tarasenko still unsigned?? pic.twitter.com/68dMqiKHz2
— Sharky (@NHLTegridy) August 18, 2026
Tarasenko, 34, is coming off a bounce-back season with the Minnesota Wild, posting 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games. Rupp believes that in the right situation, with the right opportunities, he could push closer to 30 goals again. "He's going to score. He's in the right spot, he could go north of 30," Rupp said.
Why He's Still Unsigned
More than a month into free agency, Tarasenko remains one of the best scorers still available, alongside Patrik Laine. He fired his longtime agents in late June in favor of Dan Milstein, a move that showed he intended to test the full market rather than simply re-sign with Minnesota, but that bet hasn't produced an offer yet.
Multiple other teams have been floated as fits throughout the summer. The Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators have both been repeatedly linked to him, tracing back to an early-July report from Elliotte Friedman, and the Montreal Canadiens have also been mentioned as a landing spot given his connection to fellow Russian winger Ivan Demidov, who shares the same agent.
The Flyers already took a swing this offseason with an aggressive offer sheet for Leo Carlsson, which Anaheim ultimately matched, but it showed the front office is willing to be bold in adding talent.
Rookie winger Porter Martone and a potential step forward from third-year winger Matvei Michkov could also help Philadelphia's power play on their own, but adding a proven, low-risk veteran scorer like Tarasenko would be a much faster fix.
