At 23 years old, defenseman Emil Andrae’s journey with the Philadelphia Flyers has been marked by inconsistency and fluctuation since his NHL debut. Having appeared in 86 games through three seasons since 2023-24, Andrae has struggled to establish himself as a regular on a Flyers blue line that continues to search for stability. Entering his restricted free agency this offseason, Andrae remains under Philadelphia’s control until the 2029-30 season, when he could become an unrestricted free agent.
Throughout his tenure, Andrae has been repeatedly moved between the NHL roster and the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This season started with him in the AHL, reflecting a continuation of his pattern of shifting between levels. His standing with the previous coaching group declined last season; after a strong start, he was demoted to the AHL in December 2024, briefly recalled in February 2025, then sent down again before finally staying with the Flyers following the trade deadline until season’s end.
The current 2025-26 season shows modest improvement in Andrae’s contributions, as he has tallied 11 points in 40 games with a plus-11 rating, compared to 7 points and minus-5 in a similar number of games last year. Advanced metrics highlight his effectiveness, with MoneyPuck listing him third on the team in On-Ice Goals percentage at 58.9% and ninth in On-Ice Expected Goals percentage at 51.9%. Despite this, Andrae’s role has been mostly sheltered on the second and third defensive pairings, averaging a modest 16:54 time on ice per game, ranking sixth among Flyers defensemen.
Evaluating Andrae’s Position on the Flyers’ Defensive Roster
The key question for Philadelphia now isn’t whether Andrae can compete at the NHL level, but where he fits within the team’s defensive strategy going forward. At 5-foot-9, Andrae does not meet the Flyers’ preference for larger, more physical defensemen. He ranks behind other smaller defenders such as Jamie Drysdale (5-foot-11) and Cam York (6-foot) in the team’s depth chart.
Most recently, Andrae has been functioning as a seventh defenseman under head coach Rick Tocchet. Prior to the Olympic break, rookie Noah Juulsen appeared in the last five games instead of Andrae, who was a healthy scratch during that stretch. Tocchet explained Juulsen’s insertion was aimed at bolstering the Flyers’ struggling penalty kill. However, Juulsen recorded just 1 minute and 51 seconds of penalty kill time during those games, raising questions about the decision and whether Andrae’s role has diminished under the coaching staff’s current system.
Competition for roster spots remains intense, with Oliver Bonk, Ty Murchison, Helge Grans, and Christian Kyrou all vying for NHL opportunities. This influx of young defensemen and prospects creates a logjam that could influence the team’s decisions regarding players like Andrae, who already has over three seasons and 80 NHL games experience.
Trade Deadline and Future Outlook for Andrae
Although a trade involving Emil Andrae at the upcoming NHL deadline is possible, many insiders consider a move during the offseason more likely. With Ty Murchison sidelined for the season due to an upper-body injury and other defenders like Bonk, Grans, and Kyrou still developing in the AHL, the Flyers may look to clear roster space by trading Andrae. Such a move would aim to acquire assets at positions of greater need, particularly a top-four defenseman or a top-six center—areas where Philadelphia currently lacks depth.
Whether this decision occurs during the trade deadline or in the summer months, Andrae’s status with the Flyers is uncertain. His future could be a significant factor as the Flyers attempt to reshape their roster and improve their defensive corps.
