Egor Zamula is among several Philadelphia Flyers players vying for spots on the team’s roster during the upcoming preseason. Due to injuries among defenders, Emil Andrey stepped in and took some of Zamula’s playing time earlier in the season. Zamula, 25, appeared in 66 games last season and 63 games this past season, fluctuating between the main lineup and John Tortorella’s Gameday Squad because of inconsistencies and sometimes slow pace.
With Rick Tocchet now the Flyers’ head coach, the 2025-26 season represents a fresh opportunity for Zamula. He is competing for a roster spot alongside players like Andrey, Heljuglan, Adam Zinning, Hunter McDonald, rookie Noah Julson, and Dennis Gilbert. Igor Kravchuk, a former NHL defender, KHL assistant coach, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, believes Zamula’s career still has potential despite challenges. Kravchuk noted that Zamula and Alexander Romanov were standout defensemen for Russia’s U18 and U20 national teams, but their careers have since diverged, with Romanov recently signing a lucrative eight-year, $50 million deal with the New York Islanders. Kravchuk pointed out roster balance issues within the Flyers but feels Zamula has time to redirect his career, especially with the coaching change.
Approaching his third full NHL season, Zamula has played under several coaches during his five-year career, with Rick Tocchet now added to the list. Assistant coach Todd Leiden, who focuses on penalty kills and defense, has experience developing notable defensemen as well. While it remains uncertain whether undrafted Russian players can achieve similar success, Zamula’s size (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) is an asset albeit underutilized. A left-shot defender, Zamula often shoots into traffic and has a better shot accuracy than credited, despite struggling with agility and skating speed. Although he is one of the slower skating defensemen in the NHL, his underlying stats are impressive, including a significant reduction in penalties from the 2023-24 to 2024-25 season.
Zamula scored 3 goals, 12 assists, and 15 points in 63 games this season, with a shooting rate ranked in the 85th percentile for NHL defensemen. However, his skating speed remains below average, which might hinder his overall impact. To succeed, Zamula needs to focus on earning trust from the new coaching staff, excelling in defensive zone play, and managing puck possession effectively. With his contract approaching its final year, the future of Zamula with the Flyers ultimately depends on his performance.
Fan Take: This update is significant for hockey fans as it highlights how player development and coaching changes can dramatically affect a young player’s career trajectory. Zamula’s progress and ability to secure a spot on the Flyers roster could influence the team’s defensive strength and overall future success in the NHL.
