Flyers Trade Ryan Ellis and 2026 6th Round Pick for Carl Grundstrom and Artem Guryev: What This Means for Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Flyers have made a notable move by acquiring forward Carl Grundstrom and defenseman Artem Guryev from the San Jose Sharks. In return, they sent defenseman Ryan Ellis and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to San Jose, as confirmed by General Manager Daniel Briere.

The condition on the sixth-round pick means the Sharks will receive the earlier of two picks the Flyers currently hold in that round, either their own or Columbus’s. With this trade, the Flyers now boast five picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, including one in each of the first three rounds.

About Carl Grundstrom

Carl Grundstrom, aged 27, had three goals and nine points in 56 games during the 2024-25 season with the Sharks. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 200 pounds, he has played 292 NHL games over parts of seven seasons, scoring 43 goals and 33 assists. Additionally, he has accumulated 30 goals and 72 points in 99 games in the American Hockey League.

Originally from Umea, Sweden, Grundstrom played four seasons in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), clinching the league title in 2016-17. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round back in 2016.

About Artem Guryev

Artem Guryev, just 22, is a promising young defenseman. Drafted by the Sharks in the fifth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, he signed his entry-level contract in April 2023. Guryev stands impressively at 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 225 pounds. He spent the last season with the Wichita Thunder in the ECHL, recording five points over 47 games. His brief stint in the American Hockey League in the 2023-24 season saw him achieve four points and accumulate the second most penalty minutes on his team.

Guryev will be joining the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he will likely continue to develop his skills.

Recent Trends and Reactions

Fans on social media have been reacting to the trade, with many expressing excitement about the Flyers’ future. Some analysts believe acquiring young talent like Guryev is a step toward rebuilding the team’s depth. Recent surveys indicate that fans are increasingly optimistic about the Flyers’ direction, emphasizing the importance of nurturing young prospects.

As teams gear up for the upcoming NHL season, trades like this show that building for the future is key. Moving veterans for younger talent often leads to more balanced, competitive teams.

For more insights on NHL trades and drafts, you can visit NHL.com.

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