Each year, July 1 is free agent frenzy in the National Hockey League. Teams look to upgrade their rosters by signing unrestricted free agents, often to long-term deals that might be considered overpays. Meanwhile, teams that still own the player’s rights and are pending restricted free agents, negotiate on new contracts or, at worst, extend qualifying offers to retain their rights. But somewhere between the UFA and RFA divide there’s a slight crack where a third category of player can sometimes fall into: Group 6 Free Agency.
Group 6 UFAs are players that often have a few cup of coffees with one or more NHL clubs but don’t quite stick to be regulars on the roster. The players must be 25 years of age when their current restricted free agent deal expires (the age is calculated based on the player’s age as of June 30 when the contract ends). Players must also have played less than 80 NHL games. For goalies, it’s 28 games, but the goalies had to have 30 or more minutes of playing time in those 28 games. The third criteria is that the player has three or more professional seasons either in Europe, the AHL, or ECHL. If an 18-year-old or 19-year-old is signed to an NHL club, a non-NHL season at that age is deemed to be 11 games. Once you turn 20, that is reduced to simply one game per season (regardless of regular season or playoff). If you meet those three criteria, you can become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent.
As of May 25, there are currently over 50 players who are Group 6, including two Flyers: Defensemen Adam Ginning and Maxence Guenette, the latter acquired in the trade with Ottawa last season for Dennis Gilbert are the pair. Meanwhile, former Flyer Olle Lycksell (currently with Ottawa), is another pending Group 6.
However, there might also be a few of those roughly 50 that Philadelphia’s general manager Danny Briere takes a look at and possibly signs. We take a look at a few of those free agents (in no particular order) who might fit a need the Flyers have heading into 2026-27.
Need some very cheap depth that could be had for nothing but some promise that they don’t have to make the trip over to Europe for next season? There’s some talent here.
Ville Heinola, D
The Winnipeg Jets took defenseman Ville Heinola at 20th overall at the 2019 NHL Draft and it still feels like he’s barely scratched the surface on an NHL job. That feels like an opportunity for the Flyers.
Heinola seems to have all the right skills to succeed in the NHL, but he’s been bit by the injury bug a few times. In 2023, in Winnipeg’s final exhibition game, Heinola broke his ankle and required surgery which caused him to miss a chunk of the season. Nearly a year later, Heinola had to go under the knife on the same ankle as an infection developed in the area. Over those two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) he played just 61 games between the Jets and their AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose.
The defenseman is known for eating up a number of minutes when healthy, and he can move the puck quite well. Heinola has all the trademarks of a reclamation project that Briere isn’t averse to working with. It would possibly be a low-risk, high-reward opportunity if Philadelphia was to take a look at him.
And he’s lighting up the World Championships for Finland right now, so there might be other suitors for his talent.
Raphael Lavoie, C/LW
Raphael Lavoie is a center with some size and was known for some scoring prowess. Originally drafted in the second round (38th overall) by the Oilers in 2019, Lavoie had some fine seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads, scoring 30-plus goals in consecutive seasons and scoring 20 goals in 23 playoff games in the 2019 playoffs for Halifax. Lavoie (6’4″, 217 pounds) had three decent seasons with Edmonton’s farm club in Bakersfield, have consecutive 25-plus goal seasons (2022-23 and 2023-24). However, things never materialized for Lavoie with Edmonton, going pointless in just seven games.
Vegas took a chance on Lavoie, claiming him off the waiver wire in October 2024. He played nine games with Vegas in 2024-25 but blossomed this past season with the Henderson Silver Knights, scoring 56 points in 45 games. In March he went on a tear, scoring 13 goals in 14 games and being named the AHL’s Player of the Month. He has 83 points in 87 games with Henderson over two seasons. And he played one game with Vegas this year, March 3 against Buffalo. Although he’s still looking for his first NHL goal and point, Lavoie (who turns 26 in September) could be a late bloomer that Philadelphia could certainly get rather cheaply. Considering his size, scoring knack, and being a center, the Flyers would be doing a disservice to at least not kick the tires on him.
Ryan Suzuki, C
Another first-round selection in the 2019 draft (29th overall by Carolina), center Ryan Suzuki’s trajectory has been slow but on a slight upswing of late. The young brother of Nick of the Habs, Suzuki suffered a near career-ending eye injury from a high stick. He recovered, then had some issues with his shoulder which caused him to average just over half a season of playing time in his first four seasons with Carolina’s affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The Wolves won a Calder Cup in 2022.,
The last two seasons has seen Suzuki play more games, and have his game improve. He had 59 points (12 goals, 47 helpers) in 69 games during 2024-25. Meanwhile he had 48 points in 66 games with a similar amount of goals and assists as in 2024-25. Suzuki, who turns 26 on May 28, may need a change of scenery and team to take his game to the next level. Although he’s not great in the corners, his play-making ability could make him an interesting addition to Philadelphia’s organization.
Jett Woo, RD
Drafted by the Canucks (37th overall in 2018), this stay-at-home defenseman hasn’t played a NHL game yet. He had three strong seasons with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks from 2022-23 through to 2024-25, winning a Calder Cup and having six points in 22 games during their playoff run. However, Woo’s chapter with Vancouver came to an end last March when he was traded to San Jose for Jack Thompson. His 2025-26 season saw him only play 43 games split between Abbotsford and the San Jose Barracuda. He clearly hasn’t yet taken that step towards an NHL career. However, should Nick Seeler be part of a possible trade package for help up front, Woo, who isn’t afraid to drop the gloves or just rub the opposition the wrong way, could possibly slide into that role as a third-pairing defenseman nicely. Or at least be part of the conversation should the slot be empty around training camp.
Stats courtesy of Hockeydb.com
