The Philadelphia Flyers announced today that they have acquired forward Philip Tomasino from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Egor Zamula, Flyers General Manager Daniel Brière said. Tomasino will report to the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, while Zamula heads to Pittsburgh — closing the chapter on a six-season run in orange and black.
Zamula’s journey to the NHL was never the easiest — undrafted and overlooked, he fought his way into the lineup and earned real minutes for Philadelphia. But it was always clear from talking with him that pride, resilience, and the collective identity of the group were what mattered most.
Last season, when I sat down with him before breakup day, he didn’t shy away from where the team stood or what it meant to be part of that locker room. Talking about the season, he said, “I’m proud of my teammates because we never gave up no matter what. Sometimes, we have a streak, but we try to help one another stay together and win the games.”
He also talked about the camaraderie in the room — something Flyers fans rarely hear from blueliners — calling it “a big positive that we have such a good locker room and friendly friends here. It’s a big family.”
On the ice, Zamula’s game had its moments — his puck movement and size gave flashes of upside — but consistency was a challenge, and this season he struggled to hold down a regular spot in Philadelphia’s defense corps. With the Flyers continuing to retool and find what fits for their identity moving forward, the decision came to move on.
In return, the Flyers add Tomasino — a former first-round pick with NHL experience and offensive production who gives the organization another piece up front. While he’ll start in Lehigh Valley, Tomasino’s scoring ability and past success at the NHL level give the Flyers depth and a potential high-reward option to lean on.
For Zamula, this trade is a new opportunity — one that comes after he spoke so openly about the bond with his teammates and pride in never giving up on the season.
