Less than two days after the NHL wrapped up the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers have made a trade.
The Flyers announced they acquired goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit from the Toronto Maple Leafs for goaltender Sam Ersson, defenseman Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick (85th overall).
For the Flyers, this is mainly a deal to shore up their backup goaltending and have Woll shape one half of a formidable duo with Dan Vladař, who is expected to sign a long-term extension soon.
Benoit also provides some size in a depth role on defense for Philadelphia, and moving Andrae could open up a regular role for David Jiříček or Oliver Bonk.
Woll has appeared in 117 NHL games, all with the Maple Leafs. Drafted in the third round in 2016 by Toronto, Woll has a lifetime record of 63-43-9 with a .906 SV%, 2.94 GAA, and 4 shutouts. Woll’s 2025-26 season was marred by injuries and Toronto struggled throughout the season as well. The 27-year-old posted a 15-16-7 record with a .898 SV%, 3.34 GAA, and 2 shutouts. He still led Toronto in wins and games played as regular starter Anthony Stolarz also battled injuries during the season.
“We thought it was a chance to improve the team, to help them take another step,” said Flyers general manager Daniel Brière on trading for Woll.
It’s no question that Woll is an upgrade over Ersson. Despite the occasional flashes of potential, including his 6-1-0/.912 SV%/1.99 GAA run post-Olympics to help the Flyers in their playoff push, his overall tenure in Philadelphia was marred by poor play. In 143 NHL games, Ersson is 65-15-17 with a .884 SV%, 3.01 GAA, and 7 shutouts. His .870 SV% in 2025-26 was the second-worst among goalies with 20 or more games played.
“Sam has been a fantastic teammate,” said Brière. “Really loved in the room, both him and Emil. We just felt that in Sam’s case… it might be time for a change of scenery for him, and hopefully it gives him that chance to take another step. Did well in the second half last year down the stretch. He’s a gamer, but I think it was time for him to get the chance elsewhere, and we felt that Woll is a step forward for us and will be able to help Vladdy in a tandem role.”
Benoit is an undrafted defenseman who began his career with the Anaheim Ducks in 2020-21. A former teammate of Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, Benoit left Anaheim in 2023 to sign in Toronto. He has skated in 352 NHL games, recording 6 goals, 30 assists, and 240 penalty minutes, but he is also -40.
While Andrae is a more offensively-gifted player than Benoit, the Flyers clearly wanted some more size on the back end. Benoit stands at 6’4” and 210 pounds and better serves the Flyers in a 6D/7D role, while Andrae will have a greater opportunity to earn ice time in Toronto. Despite a team defense-leading +15 and 13 points in 61 games, Andrae’s 15:20 ATOI was the second-lowest among the Flyers regular defensemen in 2025-26, only above Noah Juulsen’s 13:49. Benoit will likely fill Juulsen’s role on the team.
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