The Flyers’ two newest acquisitions, goaltender Joseph Woll, and defenseman Simon Benoit, are both in the business of keeping pucks out of their team’s net.
And since Philadelphia finished the 2025-26 season having allowed 44 fewer goals than the season before, things would appear to be getting only better for defense in these parts.
Woll and Benoit, acquired in a trade with Toronto, took part in Zoom media interview calls on Wednesday and one of the biggest takeaways from the sessions were their spoken commitments to making life even tougher on opposing goal hunters.
For the 27-year-old Woll, who shared a tandem role with former Flyer netminder Anthony Stolarz on the Maple Leafs, it’s a chance to be working with another top-notch performer, Dan Vladar, for the 2026-27 season.
“He (Stolarz) is a great goalie and I know when two guys are going, I think it definitely benefits the team,” said Woll. “You want everyone on your team to be playing to the best of their ability.”
Woll, who has two years remaining on a contract which pays $3.67 million per season, said it’s important to have two goaltenders working at the top of their games.
Injuries, he added, are inevitable.
“You need both guys to step up at any time,” the Missouri native said. “I think I’ve done a great job in those situations. I think I’ve played very good hockey when called upon, done a great job of staying healthy and being available when needed in those situations.
“I have a lot of belief in myself. It’s never anyone’s goal in the NHL to be a backup. That’s not my goal. I want to come in and show and prove my beliefs in myself.”
If Woll does play well, it should take some of the workload off Vladar, who showed signs of fatigue down the stretch last season.
“I think that’s only going to be a benefit for the team,” Woll said. “I think ‘Vlady’ and I will be a great tandem. We’ll push each other.”
Woll, a third-round pick (62nd overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, has already played in 117 NHL games with a 2.93 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
He said initially he was a bit upset about being traded but then he went for a walk, just happened to get a phone call from Benoit and that brought a smile to his face.
“At that point I was just thinking about leaving the Leafs,” Woll recalled. “And ‘Benny’ called me and just the excitement in his voice really helped me to see what an unbelievable opportunity this was.
“The opportunity to join the Flyers, a proven team, is a great way to go here, make a run at the (Stanley) Cup. I’m really excited.”
Benoit, 27, was an undrafted free agent who caught on with the Anaheim Ducks in 2020-21.
Shortly after he walked in the door in California, a couple of guys named Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras were getting started, too. Now the three are reunited on the Flyers.
Not too long after news of Benoit’s trade to the Flyers broke, his phone went off. It was Zegras offering congratulations.
“I told him to keep his head up in practice because I’m coming,” Benoit said with a chuckle. “He was laughing about that one. I know them, I spent a lot of time with them on the ice, outside the ice. So I was pretty happy I knew two guys on the team. As well as ‘Woller’ coming in. Three friends. I talked to them, they said you’re going to love it. The fans are crazy. That I was going to fit right in. It just got me excited.”
The Flyers wanted to upgrade their size on the backline and exchanging the rather diminutive Emil Andrae for the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Benoit is a step in that direction.
“I have a really simple game,” he said. “I take pride in playing defensively. Hard to play against, that’s my job. Obviously playing some PK (penalty kill), blocking some shots. . .you have to play the body every night but I’m willing to do it. After talking with the coaching staff and the GM, the way they see the team going forward, so for me bringing that aspect to the Flyers is going to be great.”
Benoit, who has one year left on a contract which pays $1.35 million, figures to fit into the top six but knows nothing is a given.
“My whole career has been a battle,” the Quebec native said. “It’s not something new for me. I’ve been battling since I came in the league. You have to fight every year to stay in the lineup. Every game, every practice to be able to play that game. Having a chance to compete and fight for those spots, playing every night and wear that jersey is just a great opportunity.”
Like Woll, Benoit sees this as a good opportunity on a team on the rise.
“I was just really happy where (the Leafs) sent me,” Benoit said. “Being in Philly, I was happy about that. It’s pretty exciting for what’s to come.”
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