The first move orchestrated by interim general manager, Daniel Brière, has been extending pending RFA defenseman, Egor Zamula, to a one-year contract extension earlier today. Zamula signed on the dotted line for $775,000.
The 23-year-old defenseman suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery and kept him out of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ lineup and subsequent playoff push. On the season, he scored 1 goal and chipped in with 18 helpers in 44 games in the AHL, while collecting 4 assists in 14 games for the Philadelphia Flyers – including his first career point on the 18th of October against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He had played 12 NHL games in parts of 2 seasons prior to 2022-23 season without recording a point.
Zamula has been in and around the Flyers ever since he was signed to a PTO after he went undrafted in his 2018. He spent the majority of his junior years in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, going from 11 points in 31 games in 2017-18, to 10 goals and 56 points in 61 games in 2018-19, and to 28 points in 28 games in 2019-20. He originally started out with the Regina Pats before being waived, scoring 7 points in 38 games.
With the Phantoms, Zamula has played in 127 games across 3 seasons, with 1 goal and 54 points, including 25 assists and 29 points in just 58 games last season.
With changes afoot and the Flyers seemingly trying to embrace the youth movement all throughout their lineup, Zamula is expected to make a full recovery ahead of training camp and should be vying for a roster spot with the Flyers ahead of the 2023-24 season.
There should be at least one spot open, and maybe 2-3 depending on what corresponding moves the Flyers make in the summer as they want to subtract before they make additions.
Zamula has been touted ever since he signed his PTO. He has made great strides but has been pushed back by injuries, however he should stand a good chance at claiming a roster spot against the likes of Ronnie Attard and Emil Andrae, should the Flyers focus on in-house options.
