Resurgent Philadelphia Flyers prospect Zayde Wisdom has officially re-upped with the organization that drafted him after testing NHL free agency.
Wisdom, 23, was not issued a qualifying offer by the Flyers on June 30, making him an unrestricted free agent ahead of the start of free agency on July 1.
The original decision by the Flyers was a bit perplexing, given that Wisdom was coming off the best year of his pro career by far and was joint-second, tied with Jacob Gaucher, in goals for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the Calder Cup playoffs with his first three AHL playoff tallies.
But, after having a look around in free agency by the Flyers' hand, Wisdom has officially returned to the organization, inking a one-year AHL pact with the Phantoms on Monday.
In the same announcement, the Phantoms announced that captain Garrett Wilson also signed on for another season in Allentown.
So, while Wisdom didn't do enough to earn an NHL contract in the eyes of the Flyers, he'll stick around as a fairly young prospect and a veteran to lean on for incoming rookies like Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk, Karsen Dorwart, Devin Kaplan, and Ty Murchison.
Plus, if necessary, or if he earns it, Wisdom can always sign an NHL contract with the Flyers later on.
The 23-year-old netted career-highs in goals (13), assists (19), and points (32) for the Phantoms last season, showing some of the promise he first had on display during that 2020-21 campaign, when he threw down 18 points in 28 games as a first-timer in the pros as a teenager.
Wisdom should continue to fill in as a bottom-six energy forward, and while it's unclear if he still has any NHL upside, the Flyers organization is giving him another shot.
All opportunities are good opportunities.
