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Philadelphia Flyers News

Philadelphia has signed Ilya Pautov to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Pautov was a sixth-round pick, 173rd overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Russian forward has spent the past several seasons playing in Russia in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL). He had five points (1G / 4A) in 25 games with Moscow Zvedza (VHL) in 2025-26.

Ilya Pautov
Vladar will start Game 3 against the Hurricanes.

Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.

Dan Vladar
Tippett (undisclosed) will not play in Game 3 vs. Carolina.

The Flyers, trailing their series to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0, are desperate for a win in Game Three, but will unfortunately be without Tippett for a third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Tippett remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return being in Game Four on Saturday.

Owen Tippett
Vladar is expected to start Game 3 vs. the Hurricanes.

Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.

Dan Vladar
Cates (lower-body) will miss the remainder of Philadelphia’s second round series.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the second round. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates
Cates is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Cates played 20:53 time-on-ice, sixth amongst all Flyers' forwards, in their crushing Game Two 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, but is battling a lower-body injury and could be at risk of missing Game Three. The 27-year-old Cates, in his first NHL playoff experience, has four points (1G/3A) through eight games.

Noah Cates