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Flyers Report Cards: Seeler, Andrae, & Juulsen, The 3rd Pair Rotation
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- Flyers Report Cards: Seeler, Andrae, & Juulsen, The 3rd Pair Rotation
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Philadelphia Flyers saw a lot of rotation with their third-pair defensively during the 2025-26 season. Nick Seeler was a constant for the team, missing just two games, including the regular-season finale. As for his partner, well, that would change on a game-to-game basis.
Emil Andrae did not start the year in Philadelphia , but after an early-season callup, the defenseman earned his spot on the roster. However, he was not given every game from that point on.
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Noah Juulsen saw some of the earlier action after making the Flyers out of training camp over fellow journeyman Dennis Gilbert and Andrae himself.
While Rasmus Ristolainen remained out with injury, Egor Zamula , who was later traded to the Penguins, then the Blue Jackets , also competed in the third-pair rotation. But when Ristolainen became healthy, and Zamula was traded, it became the two-man rotation for Seelers partner that we saw when the season came to a close.
Seeler has two years remaining under contract with the Flyers. Juulsen, a UFA, and Andrae, an RFA, are both up for new deals this summer.
Let's look at how the three third-pair defenseman played this season.
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Nick Seeler: B+
Nick Seeler, 32, has been Mr. Reliable for the Flyers, really, since he joined the club. He's as fluid as a defensive defenseman gets, a smooth skater, and blocks pucks for a living. Seeler is one of those players who, when you don't notice him, means he's having a good game.
There weren't a lot of defensive lapses from the veteran defenseman this season. He was sound on the puck, very physical, and even picked up the intensity when he reached the postseason. There is also the added leadership element that Seeler brings.
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One thing that can't go unmentioned is the fact that his partner was typically a revolving door. It's not easy to go out and play with a different partner each night, but Seeler did. Whether that be on the third pair with the rotation, or even playing up in the lineup, it seemed like Seeler never played more than 10 consecutive games with the same partner.
Overall, Seeler had a really solid year for the Flyers.
Emil Andrae: B-
Emil Andrae, 24, was sort of surprisingly loaned to the Phantoms to start the season. He quickly returned to the Flyers and began competing for an everyday spot.
Early on, Andrae was impressive and looked like he could not be sent back down. Then, it seemed that it quickly faded, and he lost his grip on the spot in the lineup. Inconsistency was a major theme in Andrae's season. At some points, he looked like the young blueliner was one of the Flyers' best. On others, he looked like someone in need of a reset.
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It seemed as if a couple of times this season, Andrae had fallen out of the rotation before getting a game, and proving he's still competitive. And, down the stretch, Andrae played a big role as one of the Flyers' better puck movers.
For an offensive defenseman, his 2-goal, 11-assist season feels like a bit of a disappointment. However, he was rarely used on the power play, an area where he has historically thrived. Given the Flyers' inability to produce from the blueline on the power play, I am still a little surprised that Andrae did not get as good a look.
With the expiring deal and plenty of players waiting to emerge from the pipeline, I am curious to see what happens with Andrae this summer.
Noah Juulsen: C
I think it's a fair statement to say that Noah Juulsen, 29, had just about the season as expected.
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Juulsen seemed like a depth defenseman for the Flyers from the day that he signed. Knowing that Andrae was hurt during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's fair to say that Juulsen ended the season as the 7th defenseman.
It was an up-and-down year for Juulsen, who, like Andrae, was definitely streaky. At times, he looked like a solid defenseman, one of the best depth defenders in the league, even. There were other moments where he just looked out of place.
One thing I will say about Juulsen is that the speed of his shot shocked me. I did not think that his shot was going to be as hard as it was. He helped the Flyers create a couple of good looks with bombs from the blueline throughout the year.
Overall, Juulsen's year with the Flyers was not a bad one. He came in to be a depth defender, and served his job well. Overall, he just did not do anything to really stand out from the bunch.
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I do not own a crystal ball, but again, with guys like Oliver Bonk, David Jiricek , Ty Murchison, and Hunter McDonald all on the doorstep of the NHL, I would not expect Juulsen to come back in 2026-27.
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The post Flyers Report Cards: Seeler, Andrae, & Juulsen, The 3rd Pair Rotation appeared first on Philly Hockey Now .
