Full Breakdown
Flyers Acquire Joseph Woll and Simon Benoît in Trade with Maple Leafs Ahead of 2026 NHL Draft
6/18/2026, 12:10:39 AM
Core Transaction Details
The Philadelphia Flyers received goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoît from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In return, Toronto acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and Philadelphia’s third-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Background & Context
The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade and dismissed coach Craig Berube on May 13. Simultaneously, the Flyers, holding four selections in the upcoming draft, sought roster depth and flexibility ahead of the June 26-27 draft in Buffalo.
Key Figures & Groups
- Joseph Woll – 27-year-old goaltender, three-year, $10.98 M contract (two seasons remaining).
- Simon Benoît – 27-year-old defenseman, three-year, $4.05 M contract (one season remaining).
- Samuel Ersson – 26-year-old goaltender, two-year, $3.35 M contract (one season remaining).
- Emil Andrae – 24-year-old defenseman, 2020 second-round pick.
- Daniel Brière – Flyers General Manager.
- John Chayka – Maple Leafs General Manager.
- Brent Flahr – Flyers Assistant General Manager.
Timeline
- May 13 – Maple Leafs fire coach Craig Berube.
- Early June (date unspecified) – Trade announced with the draft ten days away.
- June 26-27 – 2026 NHL Draft held at KeyBank Center, Buffalo.
Data & Statistics
- Woll: 63-43-9 record, 2.94 GAA, .906 SV% in 117 regular-season games; 6-6 record, 2.73 GAA, .906 SV% in 14 playoff games.
- Benoît: 36 career points (6 G-30 A) in 352 NHL games; 6 A in 73 games this season.
- Ersson: 65-50-17 record, 3.01 GAA, .884 SV% in 143 games.
- Andrae: 13 points (2 G-11 A) in 61 games last season.
- Flyers now hold four 2026 draft picks: first (21st), second (53rd), sixth (181st), seventh (213th).
Why It Matters / Impact
The trade gives the Flyers a proven NHL goaltender and a depth defenseman while adding a valuable third-round selection, enhancing flexibility for future roster moves. For Toronto, acquiring Ersson and Andrae provides immediate depth at goaltending and defense, addressing needs after a disappointing season.
Official Statements & Responses
Flyers GM Daniel Brière framed the deal as a chance to improve the team and give Woll a new opportunity. Maple Leafs GM John Chayka emphasized the goal of creating flexibility and acquiring young assets. Assistant GM Brent Flahr noted the organization’s focus on drafting players with high hockey sense and cautioned against trading future first-round picks.
Criticism & Opposition
Brière expressed reluctance to trade future first-round picks, highlighting uncertainty about long-term value. Flahr warned that not every small defenseman can contribute on the power play, suggesting the trade may not fully resolve the Flyers’ defensive needs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Contract details for Woll and Benoît are provided, but any retained salary or conditional components are not disclosed. The exact position of the acquired third-round pick within the 2026 draft order remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We thought it was a chance to improve the team, help them take another step,” — Daniel Brière, Flyers GM
- “It's great to have organizational depth at a position and any time you can leverage that depth to create flexibility and accrue some young assets too, that was the goal,” — John Chayka, Maple Leafs GM
- “He said he's interested, obviously the team is interested. We're working toward something that we hope can get done eventually, but it's not over the finish line yet.” — Daniel Brière, Flyers GM
- “We’re not drafting mature football players that they’re ready to go next year,” — Brent Flahr, Flyers Assistant GM
- “I’m not too keen on trading future first-round picks, because you never know where it can go, and we’re not at [where] Colorado or Carolina [are] at this point, where you know we’re going to be finishing [high] and picking late first [round]. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.” — Daniel Brière, Flyers GM
What’s Next
The Flyers will integrate Woll into their goaltending rotation and evaluate Benoît’s role on defense, while both clubs finalize contract negotiations before the draft. Their strategies will shape selections on June 26-27 in Buffalo.
