The Philadelphia Flyers were reportedly one of the final teams vying for the services of Maxim Shabanov, with some mentioning Philly as the team for the KHL free agent. However, what was once thought of as the worst-kept secret didn’t come to fruition.
Not only did the Flyers miss out on Shabanov, but he signed with a Metropolitan Division rival.
The New York Islanders continued their active offseason by signing Shabanov to a one-year deal on Wednesday evening.
Shabanov, who turns 25 in October, put up 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 games with Trakto Chelyabinsk in the KHL last season. He was coming off a year in which he put up 50 points (25 goals, 25 assists) in 64 games, so he has a track record of being able to put the puck in the net.
However, standing at 5-foot-8 and 157 pounds, some were skeptical if he could play at the NHL level.
Adding Shabanov would’ve been a low-risk signing for the Flyers, but it’s also understandable that he didn’t land in Philadelphia. There are still a bevy of top-nine wingers on the Flyers roster with a few prospects, including first-round pick Porter Martone, looking to make the jump as well.
This is what we had to say about him last month, when reports started to really pick up
Although nothing has been confirmed thus far by the team, there is growing speculation that the Flyers are close to signing KHL star winger Maxim Shabanov. According to Russian outlet Sport-Express and columnist Igor Eronko, Shabonov is on his way to sign with the Flyers.
But, after that news broke containment, several Flyers media members reached out to sources and have found only that Shabanov has not signed with Philadelphia, yet.
Shabanov was rumored as early as January to have some links to Philadelphia. At the time the Flyers were one of four teams alongside the Penguins, Islanders and Lightning interested in Shabanov. However, with the Islanders now focused on landing the best of the best after winning the NHL Draft Lottery, their desire for Shabanov might not be as strong as it was a few months ago. That could make it a three-team race. Earlier this week similar reports made social media circles, including being reported by Russian media outlets that the Flyers and Shabanov agreeing to a contract.
–June 6, 2025
Even with Tyson Foerster potentially missing time, the Flyers can fill out their wingers with Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Bobby Brink, and potentially Trevor Zegras if he doesn’t stick at center with Christian Dvorak in the fold.
The Flyers still have $5.3 million in cap space to work with this offseason. While most of that should go to restricted free agent Cam York, Danny Briere may have a move or two up his sleeve the rest of the summer. What could possibly be in the Flyers’ plans is utilizing an offer sheet for a young restricted free agent, but one of the second-tier players that would not involve them handing over their own unprotected 2026 first-round pick — maybe just that second-round pick.
Either way, we could still possibly see some more action from the Flyers after missing on Shabanov.
