Alex Bump – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #10 Philadelphia Flyers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Mon, 04 May 2026 20:00:02 +0000

EDMONTON, AB - OCTOBER 15: Philadelphia Flyers Center Jett Luchanko (17) attacks the offensive zone on a power play the first period of the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Philadelphia Flyers on October 15, 2024 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 10th (Last Year - 12th)
GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023
COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: May 2025

The 2025 NHL Draft marked a pivotal chapter for the Philadelphia Flyers and their future. The organization made six selections across the first two rounds, all of whom are now held in high regard within the system. At the NHL level, the Flyers continue to navigate a transitional phase under new head coach Rick Tocchet. While there have been obvious growing pains, they did manage to punch a ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs on the strength of a tremendous final stretch run. Should they fall short this year, fans can rest easy knowing additional reinforcements are on the way.

Leading that incoming wave is Porter Martone, McKeen’s second-ranked prospect. After his encouraging freshman season at Michigan State was cut short, Martone signed his entry-level contract and officially embarked on his NHL career. As a 6th overall pick, he’s expected to make a major impact on this team’s forward group. The remainder of the Flyers’ 2025 early-round class — including Jack Nesbitt (92nd), Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, Shane Vansaghi (164th), and Matthew Gard — all feature prominently within the organization’s top 15 prospects, with most expecting to feature in NHL conversations over the next few seasons. Jett Luchanko (51st) currently ranks second within the system here at McKeen’s. While his stock has taken a slight hit this season, he's expected to compete for a roster spot as early as 2026-27 and bring a two-way presence down the middle. Close behind are Oliver Bonk (104th), Denver Barkey (128th), and Alex Bump (88th), all of whom have either seen NHL action or are on the cusp of making their introduction.

The rebuild in Philadelphia may not be fully complete, but the organization has assembled a strong collection of young talent in recent years. With several key pieces now knocking on the door, the Flyers appear well-positioned to take a meaningful step forward in the near future.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
Phi	1	Porter Martone	RW	19	6-3/205	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	25	25	50	78
Phi	1	Porter Martone	RW	19	6-3/205	Philadelphia (NHL)	9	4	6	10	6
Phi	2	Jett Luchanko	C	19	5-11/185	Gue-Bfd (OHL)	38	7	36	43	34
Phi	2	Jett Luchanko	C	19	5-11/185	Philadelphia (NHL)	4	0	0	0	2
Phi	3	Yegor Zavragin	G	20	6-2/185	SKA-VMF St. Petersburg (VHL)	18	10	6	1.44	0.949
Phi	3	Yegor Zavragin	G	20	6-2/185	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	12	5	7	2.63	0.919
Phi	4	Alex Bump	LW	22	6-0/195	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	36	11	15	26	22
Phi	4	Alex Bump	LW	22	6-0/195	Philadelphia (NHL)	17	5	4	9	2
Phi	5	Jack Nesbitt	C	19	6-5/185	Windsor (OHL)	55	25	33	58	67
Phi	6	Oliver Bonk	D	21	6-2/195	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	46	6	13	19	22
Phi	6	Oliver Bonk	D	21	6-2/195	Philadelphia (NHL)	1	1	1	2	0
Phi	7	Denver Barkey	C	21	5-8/160	Philadelphia (NHL)	43	5	12	17	16
Phi	7	Denver Barkey	C	21	5-8/160	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	26	7	9	16	20
Phi	8	Shane Vansaghi	RW	19	6-3/210	Michigan State (NCAA)	35	4	7	11	28
Phi	9	Heikki Ruohonen	C	19	6-1/205	Harvard (NCAA)	28	6	13	19	18
Phi	10	Carson Bjarnason	G	20	6-3/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	32	14	11	3.43	0.877
Phi	11	Jack Berglund	C	20	6-3/210	Farjestads (SHL)	40	7	5	12	26
Phi	11	Jack Berglund	C	20	6-3/210	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	5	1	0	1	13
Phi	11	Jack Berglund	C	20	6-3/210	Farjestads (Swe J20)	2	0	3	3	2
Phi	12	Spencer Gill	D	19	6-4/215	Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)	16	3	8	11	23
Phi	13	Matthew Gard	C	19	6-5/190	RD-Sea (WHL)	55	17	16	33	82
Phi	14	Jack Murtagh	LW	18	6-1/200	Boston University (NCAA)	35	6	5	11	25
Phi	15	Carter Amico	D	19	6-6/230	Muskegon (USHL)	27	1	10	11	41
Phi	15	Carter Amico	D	19	6-6/230	Boston University (NCAA)	18	0	0	0	12

Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA) (Currently with Philadelphia Flyers)

After going sixth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Porter Martone has put up a season that’s in strong contention for the Hobey Baker Award. The evolution of Martone’s goal scoring prowess and overall offensive IQ has skyrocketed from last season, netting 25 goals and 50 points on the year. He has been the focal point of the Spartan’s offence this season and has played so well with center, Charlie Stramel. Martone’s two-way game has been fine as well, a good back checker and generally smart when defending in his own zone but he is not overly physical with his frame and does not feature on the penalty kill. Where he does live up to the Tkachuk comparisons is his innate ability to get under the opponent's skin. Martone pisses his opponents off in every area and is great at drawing penalties. He will feature in the Flyers’ top nine next season and be an excellent winger for years to come, hopefully he will slot next into a player like Trevor Zegras to feed him pucks.
Jett Luchanko, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Luchanko was seen as a reach at pick thirteen when the Flyers called his name back in 2024, but he’s shown what made him so enticing in that range over the past two seasons. He’s very well rounded with an underrated playmaking game, amazing straight-line speed, and is a strong defender. He was used in an energy forward role with Canada at the World Juniors and didn’t quite find the results that were expected, but domestically, his numbers with Guelph and Brantford have been solid. He joined Philly for a four-game stint to start the year but was sent down after going pointless. Luchanko may be seen as more of a third liner at the next level, but in a pinch, could fill a role in an NHL top six due to his combination of grit, speed, and smarts. With a total of seventeen games of experience within the Flyers organization, it seems Philly may be setting up to offer him a roster spot next year, provided he performs well at camp.
Yegor Zavragin, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

One of the top young netminders in Russia currently, Zavragin has been a standout in the KHL this year, even though he has received less playing time with SKA than last year, a breakout season for him. Splitting time between SKA and their VHL club, he continues to make progress and is proving that he is a bonafide NHL goaltending prospect. Zavragin is extremely athletic, but the true secret to his success lies in his ability to harness that athleticism. His movement is composed and controlled; it is rare to find such refinement in a young netminder with his athletic ability and quickness. As such, Zavragin brings consistency to the ice in the KHL, and the hope is that he can make the jump to the NHL and have a similar kind of impact; Zavragin’s upside is sky high as an NHL starter. He is signed with SKA until the end of the 2026/27 season and at that point, the expectation would be that he would sign with the Flyers and cross the pond.
Alex Bump, LW, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Last year, Bump captured an NCAA championship with Western Michigan, massively elevating his status as an NHL prospect. This year, as a first-year pro, he’s been a solid contributor for Lehigh Valley, showcasing a skill set that should make him an NHL player, sooner, rather than later. A classic power winger, Bump excels in getting to the net and playing through the middle of the ice. He’s also a skilled finisher and his play away from the puck improved a lot over his two years at Western Michigan. His skating has also improved to the point where it’s clearly not an issue at the AHL level. Where Bump fits into this Flyers roster in the future remains to be seen given their now excellent depth, however, he may be given a true opportunity as early as next year to gain a full time spot in the lineup. Bump’s projection as a potential top six forward remains unchanged from last year when he was one of our largest risers in this report.
Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

After picking Luchanko in 2024, it was little surprise to see Philadelphia take another “reach” on a larger player to add some size to a fairly short lineup. Nesbitt has a solid brain, finding nice short passes and keeping possession in the cycle game. He has a mean streak and can be fairly undisciplined at times, lashing out and retaliating often. His long reach helps defensively to take away space and generate turnovers, and his footwork has improved since his draft year. A larger concern for me is his athleticism. He seems to have trouble staying on balance and doesn’t find much success jumping from lane to lane to make plays. Like Luchanko, I think he’s more of a third liner who can advance the puck in transition with his quick hands and long stride, plus bring defensive support with an edge, but I don’t see his in-zone offence being more than retrieving pucks off the boards. Perhaps a bit pessimistic given larger players' tendencies to develop later, but the clumsiness in his game will be a large hurdle to overcome.
Oliver Bonk, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

The son of former NHL pivot Radek Bonk, Oliver was a first round selection of the Flyers back in 2023 and is coming off of three straight outstanding seasons for the London Knights of the OHL. Utilized in unique ways by Dale Hunter and the Knights’ coaching staff, Oliver blossomed as a two-way standout and powerplay contributor. As a first-year pro with Lehigh Valley, the offensive side of things has been a bit of a struggle for him, however, he’s been adequate defensively, using his above average mobility, size/strength, and high-end IQ to help him adjust to the pace and power of the pro game. The million-dollar question is will Bonk’s offensive game slowly blossom at the pro level, or will he need to re–invent himself as more of a defensive stalwart to earn NHL ice time? It’s too early to say and more will be learned next year after an offseason of targeted training and another year of confidence gained. Bonk still projects as a potential second pairing defender who can play in a variety of situations.
Denver Barkey, C, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Barkey is a bit like “The Little Engine That Could.” He’s not the biggest or the quickest, which is why there have been some concerns over his NHL projection, however, few work as hard as he does on the ice. It’s that classic hockey cliche of playing larger than you are. Barley’s tenacity, solid hands, and excellent vision/anticipation made him a workhorse for Dale Hunter in London, where he was a two-time OHL champion and a Memorial Cup champion. Those same things have made him an immediate impact player at the pro level this year as a rookie. So much so that he was called up by the Flyers and has excelled in a secondary role. Is Barkey’s upside significant as an NHL player? He’s not likely to become a significant NHL scorer. However, he has already demonstrated that he can be an effective NHL player; the kind of guy who can kill penalties and play through the middle of your lineup for a decade. At this point, it seems very likely that Barkey develops into a fan favourite in Philly.
Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Vansaghi is playing the same game that he played last year for Michigan State, and it is making his coach, Adam Nightengale, very happy. There are a few players in the NCAA who use their physicality better than Vansaghi, forechecking and pressuring opponents with incredible ferocity. He goes to dirty areas to retrieve pucks, to win battles or just to throw off opposing possessions. Vansaghi’s game is all based on his defensive aspects. On offence, Shane Vansaghi displayed great puck carrying abilities, all due to how well he maintains under pressure, his back acting like a brick wall to deter opponents. His passing and stick handling work still needs some improvement, but they are never going to be the hallmarks of his game. Vansaghi still has plenty of time to develop in college and come to Philadelphia when he is ready to be a bottom six checking forward, reminiscent of the Broad Street Bullies.
Heikki Ruohonen, C, Harvard University (NCAA)

The Flyers may have found themselves a pretty solid young two-way center here in Ruohonen. After starting the year slow with Harvard, he exploded during the World Juniors for Finland, showing the whole prospect world his playmaking and composure with the puck on his stick. That confidence has followed him back to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he has put up eight points in his last ten games (as of writing this). Ruohonen’s speed, which has improved greatly from last year, and two-way game should carry over well in the NHL. With the continued development of his four-way mobility, puck carrying, and physicality, he can be a really valuable player for the Flyers down the line. Given Harvard's consistency issues, could Ruohonen be an intriguing player in the transfer portal this offseason? Or will he return to Harvard for his sophomore year? Ruohonen projects as a high-end third-line center who can play up and down the lineup when needed.
Carson Bjarnason, G, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Even though Zavragin appears to be the crown jewel of the Flyers’ goaltending prospects, Bjarnason is still an intriguing prospect with the chance to develop into an NHL netminder. Sure, his WHL career with Brandon never really hit the heights that it was expected to, especially in the WHL playoffs. However, he’s still a big netminder who can take away shooting lanes and the bottom of the net well. He’s currently in the midst of his first pro season with Lehigh Valley and his play has met expectations; he’s shown flashes of solid play but has been largely inconsistent. This is obviously not uncommon for first year pro netminders. Given that Zavragin still has another year on his KHL contract, Bjarnason will have another year to truly assert himself as a prominent pro prospect in the AHL. The Flyers have had a bit of a difficult time developing goaltending prospects in recent years, with others showing promise but falling short of high expectations. Hopefully Bjarnason can help buck that trend.
Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad (SHL) (Currently with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL)

Berglund served as the captain for Team Sweden at this year’s WJC’s and he was a key cog in their gold medal victory. He is a solid two-way power center who is inside driven and projects as a quality third line center.
Spencer Gill, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Finally, back on the ice after a lengthy injury recovery, Gill will look to get back up to steam heading into this year’s QMJHL playoffs. The big, physical defender is a solid two-way threat and hopefully he has put injuries behind him.
Matthew Gard, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

For Gard, it’s about continuing to improve his confidence and play with the puck to improve his NHL projection. The big power center has the tools to become a quality checking line NHL player.
Jack Murtagh, LW, Boston University (NCAA)

We really liked Murtagh at the draft last year (we ranked him as a first round prospect), however he’s been a disappointment as a freshman at Boston University this year. He’s more of a longer-term project than we would have thought given his competitive nature and strong scoring instincts.
Carter Amico, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Amico wasn’t getting much ice time with Boston University, so he left the program and returned to the USHL, this time with Muskegon (formerly of the NTDP). He has the frame and mindset to be a quality stay at home type, but his game needs to continue to evolve.

AHL: EASTERN CONFERENCE – Top 10 First Year Players to Date

Aidan Carlson — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:35:09 +0000

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 02: Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on in the first period during a NHL game between the Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers on December 02, 2025 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire)

Jack Devine, Florida Panthers

If you missed last season’s Calder Cup playoffs, Jack Devine’s surge to the top of AHL scoring this season may be surprising, but in reality, it isn’t. Despite only playing three regular-season games, Devine scored five points in seven during Charlotte’s run to Calder Cup runner-ups. Now, in his first season of professional hockey, Devine has kept up the pace with 12 points in his first 13 games. Although the point totals are impressive, it’s his detailed defensive game that sticks out the most to me. He’s exceptional with his stick and is a proactive defender, often dropping low in the slot to help when he’s the offside wing. It’s not a surprise that Devine was Florida’s call-up after their string of injuries. He should bounce between Florida and Charlotte as long as Florida can’t stay healthy, with more games played for the Checkers.

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 18: Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Alex Bump (21) attempts to shoot as Cleveland Monsters defenseman Corson Ceulemans (4) defends during the third period of the American Hockey League game between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Cleveland Monsters on October 18, 2025, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Alex Bump, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Leading the way for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this year has been left wing Alex Bump. Bump inked an ELC with the Flyers this offseason after two point-per-game seasons with Western Michigan. He’s scored 13 points in 16 games so far in 2025 and isn’t showing signs of slowing down as Lehigh contends in a strong Atlantic Division. Through almost the first quarter of the season, Bump has consistently flashed his playmaking abilities. He’ll dangle around a defender and then make a creative pass to a teammate. There’s not much defenders can do to defend the pass; he’ll find someone’s tape passing behind his back if he needs to. Leave him open, and he’ll quickly roof the puck. It’s going to be a crowded wing room in Philadelphia next year, and Bump is certainly making his case to be with the main squad.

Denver Barkey, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

No one has found instant chemistry with Alex Bump like fellow rookie Denver Barkey has. The two have combined for 24 points in the first 16 games with Barkey centering Bump. Despite a smaller stature, especially for a center, Barkey has stood up to the challenge and excelled. Like a Steely Dan song, Barkey isn’t afraid to do Bump’s dirty work. Barkey goes full speed into the mix of things and sets up Bump well, who currently leads the league in shots on goal. Despite high point totals with the London Knights in the OHL, because of Barkey’s size and the Knights’ system, his projection to pro hockey was uncertain. In his first handful of AHL games, Barkey has largely put to rest these concerns as one of the league’s top rookies.

Andrew Cristall, Hershey Bears

After torching the WHL in recent seasons, Cristall’s offensive abilities have continued to be evident as his level of competition has increased. As a rookie with the Hershey Bears this season, Cristall has 11 points in his first 16 games. He and right-wing Brett Leason continue to work well off each other in the early part of the season. Cristall’s strength of being a dynamic playmaker has shown through with his eight assists. While his offense has needed less of an adjustment to pro hockey, his defense is still a work in progress. It’s not a surprise for a young winger not to be the best defensively, but Cristall looks engaged in his own end. While his offense comes naturally, the Capitals organization will be looking to see how he improves in his own zone the rest of the year in the AHL.

Gabe Perreault, Hartford Wolf Pack

Through his first 12 games in the AHL, Perreault has shown that he has a nose for the net. He’s averaging 0.5 goals a game right now, which would undoubtedly put him among the top rookie goal scorers if he plays a majority of the year with Hartford and his pace sustains. Even with the obvious skating issues, it’s encouraging that Perreault is still able to amass points. Not being a great skater can kill your chances of making the NHL, which is likely a large reason Perreault hasn’t seen extended looks with the Rangers up to this point. It practically makes it impossible for him to play a depth role. Like Cristall, Perreault is still learning the defensive side of pro hockey, which will take some time, especially with the skating drawbacks.

Joey Larson, Bridgeport Islanders

I don’t think many people were expecting an undrafted free agent who signed an ELC eight months ago to be tied for second among rookie goal scorers in the AHL, but Joey Larson is doing just that. His three years of experience playing NCAA hockey, two of them at Michigan State, really show in his game. Even as a winger, Larson is constantly scanning the ice and communicating with teammates who should be switching to whom. He positions himself and his stick well. He forechecks and backchecks hard. Couple all of that with a shot that is finding the top corners with speed. If he can keep his scorer’s touch throughout the year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes the parent team as early as next season in a bottom-six role.

Chase Pietila, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

There’s no doubt that the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins would be leading the Atlantic Division without defenseman Chase Pietila. Pietila does everything for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton right now. He is a top four right-shot defenseman and plays both special teams units. He isn’t an overly creative passer, but he is accurate and plays the puck quickly. Pietila’s best skill is the way he closes out attackers. He times his engagements well, using a combination of his stick and shoulder to separate them from the puck. He plays bigger than he is listed at. I was pretty surprised he was listed at only 6’2 and 190 pounds. Pietila has been a key piece so far for the Penguins, as he has been tasked with eating a lot of minutes for the team. He’s a player the team can’t afford to have a bad night and for the most part, he has been on his game to start the season.

Ty Murchison, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Murchison is the only defenseman in the top-10 for plus-minus among rookie skaters in the AHL. Despite only mustering four points in 18 games, Murchison’s good positioning and no-nonsense defensive style have accumulated a +11. Murchison is not a fast north-south skater, but he makes up for it by being laterally agile and in the right spot. His agility allows him to run some offense from the point and get shots to the net for deflections. Murchison excels at turning guys around in front of the net or along the boards. This leads to him tying up sticks in front of the net to give his goaltenders an easier time and winning board battles with relative ease. Murchison has been yet another integral rookie for Lehigh’s success this season.

Dans Locmelis, Providence Bruins

After finishing up his second season with UMass last season, Locmelis played six games with Providence in the 24-25 season, where he scored 12 points. It was an insane scoring streak for the young Latvian, who has since, expectedly, cooled off this season. Still, Locmelis has 10 points in 17 games and has proven to be a valuable two-way winger for the Bruins. He’s one of five players to have multiple shorthanded goals and the only rookie. Locmelis has used his fluid skating and ridiculous footspeed to full effect in the AHL this season. He accelerates quickly and isn’t afraid to go at the net. He has a good idea of where he needs to be a scoring threat and uses that to set up his sniper-level shot. If Locmelis can continue to show that he is a good player at any strength, he could get called up to Boston sooner rather than later.

Simon Zajicek, Providence Bruins

No team is getting better goaltending in the AHL than the Providence Bruins. A large part of that has been rookie goaltender Simon Zajicek. Following his best year in Czechia’s top league, Extraliga, Zajicek signed a one-year ELC with the Bruins. In the opening months of the season, Zajicek has been one of, if not the best, goaltenders in the AHL. His save percentage is tied for league-leading 0.942 and his goals against average leads the league at 1.70. On any other team, Zajicek would be the clear top goalie, but his tandem partner, Michael DiPietro, has also been playing lights out with a 0.942 save percentage and 1.80 goals against average in 10 games. Zajicek could get more starts eventually if the current Boston backup, Joonas Korpisalo, continues to struggle and DiPietro gets the call-up. For now, he’ll remain the 1B in Providence.

McKeen’s 2025-26 Calder Trophy Candidates

Brock Otten — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 17:15:15 +0000

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 15: Carolina defenseman Alexander Nikishin (21) waits for a face-off during his first NHL debut game during game five of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals National Hockey League game on May 15, 2025 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)

Ivan Demidov - RW - Montreal Canadiens

At this point, Demidov is the runaway favourite to capture this year’s Calder trophy. One of the top prospects in all of hockey is situated to have a huge offensive role for the Canadiens and obviously has the skill to put up points. The last time an NHL franchise had back-to-back Calder winners? 1967 and 1968 when Derek Sanderson and Bobby Orr captured rookie of the year for the Bruins.

Alexander Nikishin - D - Carolina Hurricanes

It must be nice when you’re a competitive team and you have a veteran pro defender that you can slot directly into your lineup as a potential impact player…on an ELC. Nikishin led all defensemen in scoring in the KHL two of the last three seasons and should get immediate ice time and responsibility in Carolina. The last time a defenseman has won the Calder trophy in back-to-back years? 1963 and 1964 when Kent Douglas and Jacques Laperrière won.

Ryan Leonard - RW - Washington Capitals

After signing late last year, Leonard jumped right into the Capitals lineup and played a role into the playoffs for Washington. The offensive production wasn’t significant; a single goal in 17 games including the playoffs. However, Leonard should be able to take on a larger role this year and it’s why the rugged, power winger is an early season Calder favourite.

Jimmy Snuggerud - RW - St. Louis Blues

Like Ryan Leonard, Snuggerud jumped right into St. Louis’ lineup from the NCAA at the end of the year. However, unlike Leonard, Snuggerud was an immediate offensive contributor. You could easily make the argument that he was one of St. Louis’ best players in the playoffs. He should carry that momentum into a prominent role with the Blues this year.

Zeev Buium - D - Minnesota Wild

Another high-profile NCAA player who jumped into the postseason lineup for his team after signing. Buium is likely to not only crack the Minnesota lineup this year but see powerplay time. He’s going to try to replicate what Lane Hutson did in Montreal last year and he has the talent to do it.

Sam Rinzel - D - Chicago Blackhawks

The most underrated Calder candidate heading into the season. Rinzel was exceptional for Chicago after signing late last season. He was seeing over 23 minutes per game, including over two on the powerplay and that led to some solid production. Don’t be surprised if that continues.

Zayne Parekh - D - Calgary Flames

While Parekh isn’t a lock to make the Calgary roster, there’s definitely an opening for him if he has a strong training camp. He’ll need to prove that he can defend at the NHL level, but if Calgary keeps him up, you know that they’ll give him powerplay time. We wrote similar things about Lane Hutson last year.

Maxim Shabanov - C - New York Islanders

Just how will Shabanov’s game translate to the NHL level? That’s the million-dollar question. We’ve seen some great success stories from KHL free agents in the last decade, but also others who don’t last the season. Shabanov will be given every opportunity to showcase his skill on a scoring line this year. What he does with that opportunity remains to be seen.

Michael Misa - C - San Jose Sharks

This is the part of the list where we hit the longer shots. The second overall pick in the 2025 draft is probably looking at a 50/50 chance to crack the Sharks roster full time. But, if he does, he’s going to be put in a scoring line role and have a chance to put up some great numbers.

Yaroslav Askarov - G - San Jose Sharks

Alexander Georgiev is gone, and Alex Nedeljkovic has been brought in to split time with the much-hyped Askarov. He’s plenty talented, but the question is…will the Sharks be good enough for his stat line to be impressive enough to win the Calder? It seems unlikely.

Sam Dickinson - D - San Jose Sharks

San Jose brought in some veteran defenders to help them reach the cap floor this year and that is going to make it more difficult for Dickinson to make the San Jose roster full time. He’s stuck between a rock and a hard place; too good for the OHL, but unable to play in the AHL.

Ville Koivunen - LW - Pittsburgh Penguins

There’s definitely an opening in Pittsburgh for a younger player to come into camp and capture a role on a scoring line. The best chance at that could be Koivunen, who had a tremendous AHL season last year. If he plays alongside Sidney Crosby, what type of numbers would we be looking at?

Matt Savoie - RW - Edmonton Oilers

What was said about Koivunen goes double for Savoie; there’s a chance that one of Edmonton’s young wingers could get the opportunity to play with either McDavid or Draisaitl. Savoie had a solid first pro year in the AHL and could be ready for such an opportunity.

Artyom Levshunov - D - Chicago Blackhawks

A year ago, it would have seemed crazy to have Rinzel ahead of Levshunov as a Calder candidate for the Hawks, but here we are. Levshunov’s offensive game wasn’t quite as dynamic as expected in his first pro season in the system, and while he should crack Chicago’s roster, it would appear that Rinzel is ahead of him on the depth chart for powerplay time.

Easton Cowan - RW -Toronto Maple Leafs

“Cowboy” Cowan is in a position to battle for a roster spot in Toronto this training camp after a great run with the London Knights. It seems unlikely that he’ll put up the kind of offensive numbers to earn Calder votes, but what happens if he gets slotted beside Matthews or Nylander?

Jani Nyman - RW - Seattle Kraken

A power winger with a big shot, Nyman was terrific in his first pro season in North America last year, even earning an extended look with the Kraken. Will Seattle continue to explore his chemistry with star young pivot Shane Wright?

Scott Morrow - D - New York Rangers

Recently acquired in the K’Andre Miller trade with Carolina, Morrow is a tremendous young offensive defender. He was excellent in his first pro season last year and should have a great chance of making the Rangers this year. While he’s unlikely to supplant Adam Fox from the top powerplay unit, he could earn time on the secondary unit.

Matthew Schaefer - D - New York Islanders

Given how much time Schaefer missed last year between a bout with mono and the broken collarbone, it seems a bit far-fetched to pencil him into an NHL lineup, which is obviously a rarity for recent first overall picks. However, Schaefer is a gamer so don’t count him out completely.

Isaac Howard - LW - Edmonton Oilers

Given his experience at the pro level, it would appear that Matt Savoie would have a leg up on Howard for a prominent roster spot. A new member of the Oilers, Howard needed some time to adjust to the NCAA level and odds are he’ll need time to adjust to the pro level too. But, if he does crack the roster, he too has a chance to play alongside one of the big guns.

Rutger McGroarty - LW - Pittsburgh Penguins

It does seem likely that one of Koivunen or McGroarty cracks the Pens opening night lineup. However, we see Koivunen as more likely to put up the points necessary to be a Calder candidate at this point. But, as mentioned with Koivunen, if McGroarty can manage to earn time with Sid the Kid, he could put up some good numbers.

Gabe Perreault - LW - New York Rangers

After a standout two year run at Boston College, Perreault has turned pro and will set his sights on making the Rangers’ opening night roster. There’s an opening or two there, but Perreault will need to prove that his conditioning is up to NHL standards. The upside is obviously high.

Alex Bump - LW - Philadelphia Flyers

A fifth-round pick in 2022 out of high school, few prospects have improved as much as Bump has in recent years. An NCAA champion with Western Michigan this past year, Bump is now turning pro, and he could be a darkhorse candidate to not only earn an immediate NHL roster spot but be a solid contributor for the Flyers too.

Brad Nadeau - LW - Carolina Hurricanes

Based on pedigree, Nadeau should absolutely be higher on this list. He was one of the best players in the AHL in the second half of last year and looks NHL ready. The problem is that Carolina brought in Nik Ehlers this offseason to fill out an already deep forward group, and that likely leaves Nadeau on the outside looking in, barring an injury.

Logan Mailloux - D - St. Louis Blues

Recently acquired from the Canadiens for Zach Bolduc, Mailloux has a good chance of making the Blues in a third pairing role. Given that his ice time is likely to be pretty sheltered initially, it seems far-fetched to assume that he can be a true Calder candidate.

Danila Yurov - RW - Minnesota Wild

After a bit of a down year in the KHL, the former first round selection is finally crossing the pond this year and he has the inside track on a bottom six role with the Wild. Much like Marat Khusnutdinov last year (before the trade), it seems unlikely Yurov plays enough to put up the kind of points necessary to be a Calder candidate.

Beckett Sennecke - RW - Anaheim Ducks

It seems fitting to put a massive wildcard at number 26. Sennecke, the former third overall pick, seems blocked currently thanks to Anaheim’s forward depth. However, what happens with Mason McTavish? Or what happens if Sennecke puts on a show in training camp? He’s the kind of prospect you make room for. Odds are that he ends up back in the OHL for another season, but stranger things have happened.

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #12

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:23:37 +0000

Porter Martone of the Brampton Steelheads. Photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images.

Prospect System Ranking – 12th (May 2025 - 14th)
GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023
COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: May 2025

The Philadelphia Flyers have entered a new chapter, anchored by Matvei Michkov’s arrival, Rick Tocchet’s hiring, and a wave of impressive draft additions.

Armed with six picks in the first two rounds of the 2025 draft, GM Daniel Brière enjoyed a significant influx of elite talent. Headlining the haul was sixth overall selection Porter Martone, McKeen’s 10th-ranked prospect, followed just six picks later by Jack Nesbitt. Carter Amico, Jack Murtagh, and Shane Vansaghi rounded out a class that sees all five land inside the organization’s top 11 prospects.

They join an emerging young core that already features Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and newcomer Jakob Pelletier—each under the age of 26 and already contributing at the NHL level.

Now sitting second on Philadelphia’s prospect list is Jett Luchanko, a dynamic, two-way center set to compete for an NHL roster spot as early as next fall. On the blue line, Oliver Bonk is closing in on a pro debut, while forward Denver Barkey—his teammate with the OHL’s London Knights—is also set to make the jump after chasing a Memorial Cup together.

With Tocchet behind the bench and Michkov poised to become the face of the rebuild, the Flyers’ plan is clear: surround their elite talent with a deep supporting cast developed from within. They may still be a few years away from legitimate contention, but the foundation is now firmly in place.

Philadelphia Flyers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Porter Martone

After three strong seasons in the OHL, the Flyers made Martone the sixth overall pick in 2025. Last year, as captain of the Brampton Steelheads, Martone finished seventh in league scoring and had a very successful individual season despite Brampton’s disappointment as a team. Martone is a unique player. He’s highly skilled and intelligent, operating as an equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. He’s also 6-foot-3 and loves to get under the skin of opponents by towing the line as a pest similar to the likes of Corey Perry. This coming season, Martone decided to leave the OHL to play at Michigan State, a new challenge for the budding power winger. With the Spartans Martone will focus on improving his pace, making his off puck play more consistent, and continuing to learn to use his physical approach to be a dominant offensive player. There is no doubt that Martone possesses top line upside as an NHL player.

2 - Jett Luchanko

One has to wonder if the Flyers were unhappy to see Luchanko stick with last place Guelph this year, rather than move to a contender for a long playoff run. On the other hand, this did allow him to finish the year at the AHL level with Lehigh Valley, an approach that worked wonders for a similar prospect and player, Mike Richards, back in the day. Luchanko is your classic hard-working pivot, similar to Richards…although he’s a significantly better skater. He competes and is effective in all three zones. He can play any role; his versatility is impressive. He excels as a playmaker, both when he’s attacking with speed through the middle or when he slows the pace and operates along the periphery. He already cracked Philadelphia’s opening night roster last year and he could do so permanently next season if he has a good offseason. His game is mature enough to handle a middle six role already, without sacrificing upside.

3 - Oliver Bonk

After graduation from the OHL, it will be interesting to see how his unique skill set translates to the pro level, given the kind of role he took on under Dale Hunter in London. His offensive production is driven by shot-slot generation from playing the bumper on the power play and from off puck movement. Will he continue to be able to play that role at the next level? I think of Alec Regula as a former Knight who had similar usage and he’s had a tough time transitioning. However, Bonk is more than that. He defends well. He blocks shots. He’s a special teams anchor on both sides for London. Given that his on-puck play may not translate quite as well, the key for him will be the continued improvement of his defensive game and physical intensity. Realistically, he projects as a jack of all trades number four defender who can play a variety of different roles for the Flyers.

4 - Alex Bump

After an extremely promising freshman campaign two years ago, Bump followed that up with an even more impressive sophomore season year for Western Michigan, emerging as one of the top forwards in collegiate hockey. As such, his prospect status is on the rise. Bump is a do it all kind of forward. He’s extremely effective at driving play in transition thanks to improved skating, strong protection skill, and a creative approach. He has a wicked shot thanks to a deceptive and quick release. He works hard to earn touches and competes in all three zones making him a versatile player. This is a player who may not need much more seasoning before he’s NHL ready; his game is very mature. Now signed by the Flyers he will begin his pro career this coming season. He should move through the system quite quickly and could even be a sneaky roster candidate for the Flyers out of camp.

5 - Jack Nesbitt

The Flyers pulled off a minor shock at the 2025 draft by selecting Nesbitt as high as they did, 12th overall. But it’s easy to see why the Flyers were so enamored by Nesbitt. The massive pivot was one of the most improved players in the OHL this past year, dramatically altering his game to help him unlock his upside as a physically dominant two-way center. What Philadelphia is banking on is that Nesbitt is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. As his frame fills out, what kind of effect will that have on his game? Can Nesbitt develop into an Adam Lowry kind of player for the Flyers in the future, who can anchor their third line and take on key defensive assignments? Does he have more offensive upside than that? It will be interesting to see Nesbitt develop with the Spitfires over the next few seasons.

6 - Yegor Zavragin

Yegor Zavragin’s development has been going the proper way that you’d want from a Russian pick. Just two years after being drafted, he’s already ascended to being a starter in the KHL, a rare feat. He’s extremely quick on his feet, both making rapid adjustments with strong edges, and exploding laterally. He’s great transitioning up and down and has good athletic ability allowing him to stretch out to make big stops. He has solid positioning, can be over aggressive, but he generally uses smart routes through the crease, amplifying his quick movement. He struggles with moving excessively and has a habit to not set his feet or over slide into a save taking him out of position. He tracks pucks just fine, but he doesn’t read shots well and poorly reacts with his hands. When screened, he struggles fighting for vision and can let pucks blow by him. His early KHL success is promising, but he’s still very raw. If his development continued at this pace he would be a starter in the NHL but fits a tandem role or good backup much better.

7 - Jack Murtagh

Having turned 18 on August 22nd, Jack Murtagh will be one of the youngest freshmen in college this upcoming season. Besides his obvious age advantage, the Flyers saw plenty of strengths on the ice from his past year with the NTDP to make him an early second-rounder in the 2025 NHL Draft. You could go on and on about his offensive habits. He is always moving in the offensive zone, creating chance after chance for himself and his teammates. Being a strong skater certainly helps with that offense, but Murtagh is a consistent worker bee in the neutral and defensive zone. His tendency to be annoying to play against is visible in a lot of his viewings, but it could be more consistent. Murtagh will have heavy competition for premium ice time on a stacked BU forward core, however, his work ethic and grit will lead many to say, this kid is only 18?

8 - Nikita Grebyonkin

Nikita Grebyonkin was impressive as a first-year pro in North America last season, particularly because he played well at both the AHL and NHL levels while experiencing a midseason trade. While playing with the Toronto Marlies and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season in the AHL, Grebyonkin showcased a unique combination of speed and skill that makes fans salivate about his NHL potential. Grebyonkin has good speed that allows him to get in quickly on the attack, and he’s got nice hands in tight that can paralyze goalies. He even looked quite good in a bottom six role in limited action with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, so there’s definitely a real player here with top nine NHL potential. Grebyonkin obviously still has some room to work on his game, as he could probably shoot the puck more to make better use of his quick release, but he made great strides last season and should be ready for full-time NHL action soon.

9 - Spencer Gill

Spencer Gill was the first QMJHL player drafted in 2024, taken 59th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers. The lanky 6-foot-4 right-hand defenceman showed a great two-way game in his draft year, scoring 46 points in 65 games as well as five points in five playoff games. The following season, he maintained similar production with 35 points in 51 games before an ankle injury ended his campaign in February. This summer, Gill announced that he weighs officially 216 pounds, which is a 31-pound difference from last year. He will play the 2025-2026 season with the Armada and will likely join Lehigh Valley in 2026-2027. Gill plays with pure confidence. In the defensive zone, he uses his imposing frame to physically force turnovers and likes sharp, long passes when exiting the defensive zone to support offensively. Off the puck, he moves impressively well for his size, creating opportunities and joining rushes. Additionally, Gill has notably a very good shot from the point, which he uses often. Gill has a fairly high ceiling, if everything goes well, he could be a reliable second pair defenceman one day.

10 - Carter Amico

After being sidelined for the season with a kneecap injury, Carter Amico is set to come back with a vengeance. He showed a high level of physicality in his short sample size of games that included appearances against various college programs. Amico is going to bring the boom to the Hockey East next season. In addition to his shut-down style, he is a solid puck carrier who is as good at retrievals as he is at throwing opponents on the ground. Boston University will be a big jump for a prospect who has been out for so long, that’s undeniable. However, it’s a guarantee that Amico will be the Terriers' most physical player this season, and that’s what the Flyers drafted him for.

11 - Shane Vansaghi

Opponents know Shane Vansaghi is coming because they feel it. He’s a big power forward who leverages his size to forecheck and dish out hits. He’s shown flashes of playmaking, which makes him an endearing prospect, but he still has plenty of room to grow in that department. If he can improve his skating and playmaking at Michigan State next season, there is reason to believe a middle six role is achievable.

12 - Denver Barkey

Barkey has spent the past two seasons tearing up the OHL with the London Knights. He’s earned 184 points in 114 games primarily off his precision passing. He sets up his teammates well and can also score goals off one-two passes. As an undersized forward, it will be easier to project him when he plays for Lehigh next year, a middling AHL team, versus arguably the most dominant CHL team.

13 - Carson Bjarnason

Albeit some shaky few playoff games, Bjarnason has steadily improved his regular-season stats in each of his four years with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Compared to most goalie prospects in the NHL, Bjarnason has one of the clearer paths to the national. He’ll need a few seasons, like most goalies in the AHL, with Lehigh to be truly NHL-ready.

14 - Samu Tuomaala

Tuomaala has proven that he can leverage his shooting skill into being a reliable top six scoring threat at the AHL level. He proved to be a consistent source of offence for the Phantoms last season. Assuming he can stay healthy, Tuomaala can prove he could be a depth-scoring option for the Flyers next season and earn a call-up opportunity. He’ll first have to show he can get more out of his shot and that his -19 was a one-off.

15 - Ethan Samson

Ideally, for a prospect, you want them to take a step forward without one back; for Samson, that is not the case. Last season, Samson doubled his point production to 24 points, but also was the worst of the defensive group for the Phantoms with a -12. His lackluster offence doesn’t make up for his lackluster defence, so Samson will need to take big steps in the right direction with Lehigh next year if the NHL is anywhere in his future.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #14 Philadelphia Flyers – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Mon, 26 May 2025 15:08:32 +0000

Subscribers can download the PDF in subscriber downloads.

Please note you can scroll through the PDF document here as well

Philadelphia 25 Prospects

2025 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects (Top 50 Free) – Biggest risers in 2024-25

Brock Otten — Tue, 13 May 2025 11:36:55 +0000

You will find at the bottom of this article a chart with the top 50 prospects in the NHL currently. Comparing the current ranking of prospects in our report to their previous ranking in our summer yearbook (which is a top 300), these are the affiliated prospects who have improved their stock the most this season. 25 Risers for 2025. Subscribers can access the top 200 prospects with links to the players page and full profiles here.

We are releasing our team rankings in descending order from the worst prospect pool to the best on our site over the next few weeks. Subscribers can read the full profiles and the team overview and learn about the future stars of your favourite team. If you would like to subscribe you can link here.

RALEIGH, NC - APRIL 12: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Scott Morrow (56) looks to pass the puck during the NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes on April 12, 2025 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)

Scott Morrow - Defense - Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 65, New Ranking: 20

In his first full pro season after signing out of UMass, Morrow has been an immediate impact player. He was one of the top offensive defenders in the AHL and has since performed very well in a late season call up with the Hurricanes.

Tristan Luneau - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 84, New Ranking: 32

The rich get richer. After missing most of last season due to injury, Luneau has returned with a vengeance this season. He’s been a two-way standout at the AHL level and should push for a full time roster spot in the very near future…even with Anaheim’s incredible U25 depth.

Liam Greentree - Wing - Los Angeles Kings

Previous Ranking: 87, New Ranking: 35

A late first round selection of the Kings last year, Greentree was one of the best players in the OHL this past season, helping the Windsor Spitfires go from worst to first. The power winger continues to improve his skating and looks the part of a future NHL standout.

Cole Hutson - Defense - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: 246, New Ranking: 44

Few affiliated prospects in the game improved their stock more than Cole Hutson this year. Look at the resume: One of the highest scoring defenders in the NCAA as a freshman, A WJC gold medal and a spot on the tournament all-star team, and a National Championship appearance with Boston University.

Owen Pickering - Defense - Pittsburgh Penguins

Previous Ranking: 131, New Ranking: 49

Sure, the Penguins prospect pool is hurting and that’s given Pickering a chance to perform at a high level with significant ice time as a rookie pro, but he’s handled it extremely well and looks the part of a longtime top four defender for Pittsburgh.

Sam Rinzel - Defense - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 125, New Ranking: 51

Rinzel has always been considered a long-term project, the Hawks knew this when they drafted him in the first round out of Minnesota High School hockey in 2022. But the pick is bearing fruit now. Rinzel was one of the top defenders in the NCAA this year and he looks near NHL ready.

Oliver Kapanen - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 142, New Ranking: 52

One of the biggest risers in our yearbook this past summer, thanks to a strong performance at the World Championships for Finland, Kapanen continues to rise. He nearly made the Canadiens full time this year and then was a near point per game player in the SHL. An intelligent two-way center, he looks like an NHL lock.

Luca Cagnoni - Defense - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 231, New Ranking: 60

We’re approaching the “sometimes you’re just wrong on a prospect” space with Cagnoni, a player that we’ve been skeptical about previously. But, he’s made the leap to the pro level just fine, with his offensive talent translating effortlessly.

Isaac Howard - Wing - Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous Ranking: 157, New Ranking: 61

The former first round selection exploded in his junior season with Michigan State and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker. Improvements to his strength and conditioning have done wonders for his play with the puck. The question is…will he sign with Tampa Bay?

Owen Beck - Center - Montreal Canadiens

Previous Ranking: 132, New Ranking: 65

You could probably make the argument that Beck has looked better as a first year pro in the AHL than he did over his three OHL seasons. His game just screams long time NHL standout thanks to his speed, tenacity, and IQ. But the skill has translated better than expected.

Dmitri Buchelnikov - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: 134, New Ranking: 66

Year to year improvement is the hallmark of a strong prospect and Buchelnikov has done just that. He was one of the top rookies in the KHL two years ago. This past year, he emerged as an offensive star. Next stop NHL? Detroit will have to wait because he still has contract time left with his KHL team.

Nick Lardis - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 152, New Ranking: 69

Putting a wrist injury behind him, Lardis exploded in his final junior season to be the first OHL player to score 70 goals since John Tavares. He was dominant in every fashion. Lardis is such a dangerous player because of the combination of his skating ability and shot. His progression this year has given him a more optimistic outlook as a top six contributor for the Hawks.

Igor Chernyshov - Wing - San Jose Sharks

Previous Ranking: 185, New Ranking: 72

Talk about meeting the hype of a long-awaited debut. When Chernyshov’s shoulder rehab finally finished and he suited up for the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), he immediately became one of the OHL’s elite players, leading the league in points per game this season.

Leevi Merilainen - Goaltender - Ottawa Senators

Previous Ranking: 196, New Ranking: 90

Merilainen has really turned things around after a couple disappointing post draft years. He’s improved every year as a pro and has been fantastic in limited starts for the Senators this season. Have the Senators finally found their netminder of the future?

Ilya Protas - Wing - Washington Capitals

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 91

One of two prospects to go from being unranked previously, to inside of our top 100. Protas was one of the best players in the OHL this season with Windsor. His skating does still need work, but everything else about his game is top notch. Protas is a highly intelligent player.

Colton Dach - Center - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 227, New Ranking: 96

Even if injuries continue to be an issue (a recent elbow injury has limited his NHL participation), he’s had a terrific season split between the AHL and the NHL. The big, power pivot is the ideal middle six pivot for the Hawks rebuild.

William Stromgren - Wing - Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 99

The other prospect to climb from outside of the top 300 to inside the top 100, Stromgren is an elite skating winger whose offensive skill set has finally caught up to his feet. He’s been one of the best players in Calgary’s system this year and has put himself in contention for a roster spot next year.

Ilya Nabokov - Goaltender - Colorado Avalanche

Previous Ranking: 250, New Ranking: 102

Nabokov has proven this year that he’s no fluke, after coming out of nowhere to capture the KHL rookie of the year and KHL playoffs MVP awards last year. He’s been equally strong in Russia and Colorado may look to bring him into the fold sooner, rather than later.

Luca Del Bel Belluz - Center - Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 238, New Ranking: 103

A strong shooting and creative pivot with a center lane mentality, Del Bel Belluz had a terrific second pro season in the Jackets system. Not only was he a standout at the AHL level, but he’s produced offensively when called upon by the Blue Jackets.

Roman Kantserov - Wing - Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 230, New Ranking: 104

An undersized, but highly skilled winger, Kantserov exploded offensively in the KHL this season, more than doubling his output from the previous year. He has another year on his KHL contract, but after that? He could be a big part of Chicago’s rebuild.

Elias Pettersson - Defense - Vancouver Canucks

Previous Ranking: 300, New Ranking: 106

Not every high-end defensive prospect needs to be a world beater offensively. Pettersson has climbed the prospect rankings thanks to his attention to detail at both ends and his outstanding upside as a defensive stalwart. He hasn’t looked out of place as an NHL player this season.

Mikhail Yegorov - Goaltender - New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 253, New Ranking: 110

It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Yegorov may have saved Boston University’s season, after making the jump from the USHL at midseason. He shored up their shaky netminding, helping them reach the National Championship.

Alex Bump - Wing - Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 120

A breakout star in the NCAA with Western Michigan, Bump may just be one of the most underrated affiliated prospects in hockey. He’s a dynamic creator in transition and could be a real diamond in the rough for the Flyers.

Jesse Kiiskinen - Wing - Detroit Red Wings

Previous Ranking: Outside Top 300, New Ranking: 133

The Andrew Gibson for Kiiskinen swap between the Predators and Red Wings has worked out incredibly well in Detroit’s favor after Kiiskinen’s breakout season in Liiga, where he was a near point per game player as a U20.

Tarin Smith - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 269, New Ranking: 144

Drafted in the third-round last year, Smith’s offensive upside was considered a major strength and he’s shown that this year, emerging as one of the WHL’s most dangerous scoring blueliners with Everett. As he continues to improve defensively, the sky is the limit.

RNK	PLAYER	NHL	POS	AGE	HT/WT	Acquired	TM - 2024-25 Stats	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Ivan Demidov	Mtl	RW	19	5-11/180	`24(5th)	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	65	19	30	49	22
2	Ryan Leonard	Wsh	RW	20	5-11/190	`23(8th)	Boston College (HE)	37	30	19	49	46
3	Sam Dickinson	SJ	D	18	6-3/205	`24(11th)	London (OHL)	55	29	62	91	39
4	Artyom Levshunov	Chi	D	19	6-2/205	`24(2nd)	Rockford (AHL)	52	5	17	22	59
5	Berkly Catton	Sea	C	19	5-10/175	`24(8th)	Spokane (WHL)	57	38	71	109	30
6	Alexander Nikishin	Car	D	23	6-4/215	`20(69th)	SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)	61	17	29	46	32
7	Yaroslav Askarov	SJ	G	22	6-3/175	T(Nsh-8/24)	San Jose (AHL)	22	11	9	2.45	0.923
8	Jonathan Lekkerimaki	Van	RW	20	5-11/170	`22(15th)	Abbotsford (AHL)	36	19	9	28	0
9	Beckett Sennecke	Ana	RW	19	6-2/175	`24(3rd)	Oshawa (OHL)	56	36	50	86	66
10	Zeev Buium	Min	D	19	6-0/185	`24(12th)	Denver (NCHC)	41	13	35	48	44
11	Zayne Parekh	Cgy	D	19	6-0/180	`24(9th)	Saginaw (OHL)	61	33	74	107	96
12	Anton Silayev	NJ	D	19	6-7/210	`24(10th)	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	63	2	10	12	37
13	Tij Iginla	Uta	C	18	6-0/190	`24(6th)	Kelowna (WHL)	21	14	18	32	13
14	Daniil But	Uta	LW	20	6-5/203	`23(12th)	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	54	9	19	28	16
15	Axel Sandin-Pellikka	Det	D	20	5-11/180	`23(17th)	Skelleftea AIK (SHL)	46	12	17	29	22
16	Danila Yurov	Min	RW	21	6-1/175	`22(24th)	Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)	46	13	12	25	10
17	Dalibor Dvorsky	StL	C	19	6-1/200	`23(10th)	Springfield (AHL)	61	21	24	45	22
18	Matthew Savoie	Edm	C	21	5-9/180	T(Buf-7/24)	Bakersfield (AHL)	66	19	35	54	28
19	Brad Lambert	Wpg	C	21	6-0/180	`22(30th)	Manitoba (AHL)	61	7	28	35	28
20	Scott Morrow	Car	D	22	6-2/195	`21(40th)	Chicago (AHL)	52	13	26	39	47
21	Bradly Nadeau	Car	LW	19	5-10/165	`23(30th)	Chicago (AHL)	64	32	26	58	36
22	Dmitri Simashev	Uta	D	20	6-4/198	`23(6th)	Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)	56	1	5	6	4
23	Gabe Perreault	NYR	RW	19	5-11/165	`23(23rd)	Boston College (HE)	37	16	32	48	25
24	David Reinbacher	Mtl	D	20	6-2/185	`23(5th)	Laval (AHL)	10	2	3	5	10
25	Liam Ohgren	Min	LW	21	6-1/200	`22(19th)	Iowa (AHL)	41	19	18	37	10
26	Carter Yakemchuk	Ott	D	19	6-3/200	`24(7th)	Calgary (WHL)	56	17	32	49	82
27	Sebastian Cossa	Det	G	22	6-6/229	`21(15th)	Grand Rapids (AHL)	41	21	15	2.45	0.911
28	Tom Willander	Van	D	20	6-1/180	`23(11th)	Boston University (HE)	39	2	22	24	8
29	Easton Cowan	Tor	RW	19	5-10/170	`23(28th)	London (OHL)	46	29	40	69	41
30	Calum Ritchie	NYI	C	20	6-2/185	T(Col-3/25)	Oshawa (OHL)	47	15	55	70	50
31	Cayden Lindstrom	CBJ	C	19	6-3/215	`24(4th)	Medicine Hat (WHL)	0	0	0	0	0
32	Tristan Luneau	Ana	D	21	6-1/195	`22(53rd)	San Diego (AHL)	59	9	43	52	21
33	Denton Mateychuk	CBJ	D	20	5-11/190	`22(12th)	Columbus (NHL)	45	4	9	13	20
34	Jacob Fowler	Mtl	G	20	6-1/215	`23(69th)	Boston College (HE)	35	25	7	1.63	0.940
35	Liam Greentree	LA	RW	19	6-3/215	`24(26th)	Windsor (OHL)	64	49	70	119	59
36	Michael Hage	Mtl	C	19	6-1/190	`24(21st)	Michigan (B1G)	33	13	21	34	23
37	Konsta Helenius	Buf	C	18	5-11/190	`24(14th)	Rochester (AHL)	65	14	21	35	28
38	Jimmy Snuggerud	StL	RW	20	6-2/185	`22(23rd)	Minnesota (B1G)	40	24	27	51	29
39	Lian Bichsel	Dal	D	20	6-6/233	`22(18th)	Dallas (NHL)	38	4	5	9	41
40	Quentin Musty	SJ	LW	19	6-2/200	`23(26th)	Sudbury (OHL)	33	30	29	59	14
41	Joshua Roy	Mtl	RW	21	6-0/190	`21(150th)	Laval (AHL)	47	20	15	35	10
42	Jett Luchanko	Phi	C	18	5-11/185	`24(13th)	Guelph (OHL)	46	21	35	56	46
43	Seamus Casey	NJ	D	21	5-9/165	`22(46th)	Utica (AHL)	30	3	15	18	8
44	Cole Hutson	Wsh	D	18	5-10/165	`24(43rd)	Boston University (HE)	39	14	34	48	64
45	Logan Mailloux	Mtl	D	22	6-3/215	`21(31st)	Laval (AHL)	63	12	21	33	74
46	Jesper Wallstedt	Min	G	22	6-3/215	`21(20th)	Iowa (AHL)	27	9	14	3.59	0.879
47	Cole Eiserman	NYI	LW	18	6-0/195	`24(20th)	Boston University (HE)	39	25	11	36	27
48	Ivan Miroshnichenko	Wsh	LW	21	6-1/185	`22(20th)	Hershey (AHL)	53	23	19	42	28
49	Owen Pickering	Pit	D	21	6-4/180	`22(21st)	Wilkes-Barre (AHL)	47	2	11	13	10
50	Nate Danielson	Det	C	20	6-2/185	`23(9th)	Grand Rapids (AHL)	71	12	27	39	33

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #16

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Derek Neumeier — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:00:09 +0000

_{24.08.21. The Nikolai Puchkov memorial tournament. SKA (St.Petersburg) - HC Sochi (Sochi). @ Matvey Michkov}

Prospect System Ranking – 16th (Previous Rank - 17th)
GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023
COACH: John Tortorella Hired: June 2022

In a word: Matvei Michkov. The Philadelphia Flyers' prospect system might not be overflowing with high-end talent, but it’s anchored by one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory. With only four names in our McKeen’s top 150, the Flyers’ farm system is propped up by a giant—Michkov, our fourth-ranked prospect.

After six teams passed on the Russian phenom at the 2023 Entry Draft, the Flyers were gifted an opportunity to fast-track their progression. Originally projected to be a few years away, Michkov has made the jump to North America early and is set to become a top six threat for what could be a quick graduation in our rankings.

He joins a young core that already includes recently graduated prospects Tyson Foerster, Bobby Brink, and Cam York. These names are complemented by already established young Flyers like Morgan Frost, Owen Tippett, and newly acquired Jamie Drysdale.

On the backend, the Flyers have several prospects progressing nicely in Lehigh Valley who could crack the NHL roster sooner rather than later. Emil Andrae (112th), Ronnie Attard (191st) top that list on the farm, and Helge Grans joins that battle for a future on the Flyers’ blue line.

Additionally, OHL prospects, Jett Luchanko (58th) and Oliver Bonk (85th), are projected to contribute down the road after a few more years of development. Meanwhile, 2023 third rounder Denver Barkey (206th) is coming off an incredibly potent 102-point campaign to go with an OHL Championship with the London Knights.

Although still recovering from the Cutter Gauthier situation, The Flyers rebuild is beginning to take shape and is inching closer to rounding out their youthful core. They are well-positioned to continue adding talent, as they hold six picks within the first two rounds of the 2025 Entry Draft—three in the first and three in the second round. Success may still be a few years down the road, but at least there are some exciting youngsters to star in the show.

Philadelphia Flyers Top-15 Prospects

1. Matvei Michkov

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent assortment of global repercussions, have prevented North American hockey fans from watching Michkov shine at prestigious events like the World Juniors. And that's a real shame, because if his high scoring totals in the KHL are any indication, he could have put on quite a show. He has a razor-sharp ability to dissect opposing defenders one-on-one or carve his way through larger crowds of traffic and is one of the best pure finishers in the world for his age group. There is a certain incisiveness to his mindset that sets him apart from others. Will he be a true superstar in the NHL? That will depend on whether he can become fast enough to create more separation on the smaller North American ice surfaces, because there are times right now where he gets bottled up too easily.

2. Jett Luchanko

It was a little surprising to see Luchanko get picked as high as he did in the 2024 draft, but in Philadelphia's defense, his best hockey of the season was saved for last, with a superb showing at the IIHF U18s as one of Canada’s go-to forwards. It's also always hard for teams to pass up on centers who are both highly skilled and high in character. Guelph wasn't a good team last year, but he really embraced the situation nevertheless, assuming the role of their first-line pivot and competing hard every single game, win or lose. Luchanko will continue to be a leader for that club and log a lot of minutes in both offensive and defensive situations, which should help his game take big strides forward in multiple different directions. How far can he take his game once he is consistently in an environment where others are on his level?

3. Oliver Bonk

Bonk is like a young defenceman version of Costco: he offers everything, and the quality is always good, though you'll rarely get anything that's truly top of the line. Every NHL team needs blueliners who can play in all situations, move up or down defence pairs as needed, and provide a stabilizing presence throughout without any worries or problems, and he is the epitome of that. It's no coincidence that London continues to be one of the best teams in the OHL with Bonk logging tons of minutes for them. The more you watch him, the more you appreciate the amazing nuance and fine details of his game. He'll probably join the Flyers at a young age and start out in a limited role, before steadily taking on more and more minutes until he eventually becomes one of their most trusted go-to guys.

4. Emil Andrae

Andrae received a decent look up with the Flyers back in October, but from what they saw the organization’s brass decided that he wasn’t quite ready for the challenge, so they sent him down to the AHL to let the year play out for him there instead. Nevertheless, the franchise is still committed to a serious youth movement, so come next training camp he should get another heavily scrutinized trial. For a defenceman his size he plays incredibly hard, which is always a bonus in Philadelphia. He’s also well above average when it comes to driving offence from the back end, and he deserves full marks for his mental makeup. That’s a great foundation to have in place, so now the big X-factor for him becomes his skating, which will need to keep improving, and improving a lot, to counterbalance the aforementioned deficiencies in his stature.

5. Ronnie Attard

Attard has always been a late bloomer, so Flyers fans need not be too concerned that he hasn’t seemed fully equipped for full-time NHL duty yet, despite being 25 years old now and getting looks with the big club intermittently across the past three seasons. And out of all the types of prospects that teams should be extra patient with, right-shooting defencemen with size and prior track records of contributing offensively should be right at the top of the list, because they have outsized value if they can find a way to put all the pieces together. All that said, the team wants healthy internal competition for most roster spots, so if Attard isn’t careful he could get left in the dust by others. He isn’t going to get handed a job no matter how appealing his upside may be.

6. Carson Bjarnason

Bjarnason's underwhelming stats this season were more of a reflection of Brandon's lackluster roster, and not the performance or long-term upside of their starting goalie. That whole team had neither a hope nor a prayer in the opening round of the playoffs, and they looked and acted like it. There were too many games throughout the year when Bjarnason was clearly not dialed in, and that's never ideal, but there were also plenty that the Wheat Kings never would have had a chance of winning without his heroics. Thinking big-picture, the Flyers are likely still content with the draft capital they spent on him, because he has everything that you'd want to see in a young goaltender, including size, refined technique, fluid mobility in the crease, and the ability to hang in there during games where he gets pelted with rubber.

7. Denver Barkey

Barkey is the type of prospect who seems like he was born to play hockey. There is such a natural ease to how he thinks and feels the game. At the same time, he's far from laid back or casual. Few can match his focus, competitive drive, and desire to win, but all of those seem second nature to him as well. He might not possess as much raw skill as other top prospects have, but his production exploded last season because he knows exactly which parts of his game he can improve, and how to do so. His lack of size and strength will persist and unfortunately hinder his NHL impact to some degree, but there is little doubt that he will eventually work himself onto the Flyers in some capacity and find ways to stick around for a long time.

8. Spencer Gill

Even though Gill played a lot of minutes last year for Rimouski, produced a reasonable number of points, and helped Canada win gold at the IIHF U18s, it still feels like he’s just scratching the surface of what he can become as a player. He’s a tall, rangy defender who always covers a wide territory when he’s on the ice and commits himself to contributing in all three zones. As of right now there’s a lot of work to be done with his puck management, and he will also need to learn how to defend his zone a little tighter and with more sandpaper, but over the next two seasons he’s going to gobble up huge minutes on a good Océanic team that should challenge for a league title or two, so he’ll be in an environment that should be conducive for his ongoing learning and refinement.

9. Alexei Kolosov

The trend toward bigger puck stoppers in the NHL is well-documented by now, and the disadvantages experienced by smaller ones is undeniable, but the Flyers have to be optimistic about Kolosov because of his track record in the KHL over the past few seasons. He was the number one goalie for Minsk Dynamo for two years in a row and put forth a valiant effort during the league’s most recent playoffs, but didn't get the goal support he needed from the team in front of him. His reflexes are quite quick, and he does a good job of staying in control while being active in his crease, which are essential these days for non-giant netminders. He made the anticipated move to Lehigh Valley in the AHL late last year, but as of this writing is still deciding where he wants to play this upcoming season.

10. Samu Tuomaala

Tuomaala has had a bit of a rocky development since getting drafted, bouncing around a handful of different clubs in Finland and then surprisingly being snubbed for his home nation's representation at two straight World Juniors tournaments. However, his first full season in North America was an encouraging course correction, spending the entirety of it with the Phantoms and establishing himself as a productive top six winger for them. He's a slippery offensive creator with the ability to make defenders miss, as well as a deceptively heavy shot for a guy his size. His limitations have stemmed from his lack of strength and top-line speed. The Flyers have shown an eagerness to test out many of their prospects in NHL action, so Tuomaala could get his first look with the big club as early as next fall if he has a notable training camp and preseason.

11. Elliot Desnoyers

Desnoyers has come far in his career through hard work, will, and sheer determination. He’s not necessarily lacking in talent, but it’s those other intangibles that have taken him further than others. However, that’s a taxing way to play. His second season in the AHL was a step back from his first, which doesn’t bode well for the sustainability of his style. It’s not too late for him, but will he be able to mix in other ways of being successful?

12. Carter Sotheran

In his draft year Sotheran looked like a prospect who was on the cusp of taking a big step forward, and we saw that outcome loud and clear in 2023-24. He became more impenetrable defensively, his offensive contributions increased, and he just really came into his own overall. His progression stemmed primarily from huge increases to his confidence and comfort level. There is always value in right-shooting blueliners with mobility, size, and three-zone influence, so keep an eye on Sotheran.

13. Yegor Zavragin

The Flyers have very high expectations of Zavragin and it’s easy to see why, especially following a year over in Russia where he was nearly unbeatable on two different rosters. Playing at the VHL level, which is one step below the KHL, he was named the league’s best rookie and had the highest save percentage among regular goalies, which are both impressive feats for someone who just turned 19 in August.

14. Alex Bump

Western Michigan University is a scrappy program that fights uphill against the bigger schools in their conference and takes pride in being an underdog. In those ways, Bump fits right in. He’s a clever and diligent forward who usually finds ways to leave his mark, even though none of his physical or skill-based traits are particular standouts. With the offseason departure of some key teammates he will need to take on a much bigger role in 2024-25.

15. Jack Berglund

Sweden has really found a knack for developing big, smart, two-way workhouse centers, and Berglund is one of the newest names among those ranks. There’s nothing necessarily flashy in his game, aside from above average speed in a straight line, but he just goes out there every shift and works his tail off, helping to tilt the ice in his team’s favour. He’ll be a longtime pro for sure, much like his father Christian and uncle Carl were.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #17 Philadelphia Flyers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Player Profiles - Derek Neumeier, Team Overview - Robert Howard — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 12:24:11 +0000

Daniel Briere had an eventful first season as a rookie General Manager with more than his share of challenges, but received positive reviews for many of the moves he has made. He inherited an organization that had been run with Chuck Fletcher as GM, and stubbornly stuck to the belief they had a competitive team coming out of the Covid seasons. Briere and President of Hockey Operations, Keith Jones began a process of rebuilding. Briere started his tenure by watching the overall 2nd ranked prospect on this list, Matvei Michkov, fall to the team at pick number seven at the 2023 NHL Draft over concerns on whether he would be coming to North America soon. Rumours that he may be coming over as as soon as next season have been growing, with suggestions that Flyers and SKA (his Russian team) are discussing that possibility. He had earlier, once again very quietly, orchestrated the addition of giant goaltender Ivan Fedotov from Russia, surprising many.

He then moved defenseman Ivan Provorov for a first-round pick in 2023, adding talented Oliver Bonk at 22nd overall and a second-round pick 2024. The next big challenge was a trade demand from top rated prospect Cutter Gauthier (fourth overall on this list) that was a leftover from the previous regime. In accommodating his request, management did an excellent job of keeping it quiet and getting the best possible return in defenseman Jamie Drysdale from Anaheim along with a second-round pick in 2025. At the end of the day and wheeling and dealing, he has four picks in the first two rounds of both the 2024 and 2025 drafts. After surprisingly calling for a rebuild, under the previous regime, John Tortorella received a full buy-in from the team for a surprising first half of the season from a disciplined unit. That should not suggest the Flyers are done with their rebuild. They need to add some more high-end pieces before they are ready to truly begin the climb. They will utilize all of their picks.

RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	TM	Acquired	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
1	Matvei Michkov	RW	19	5-10/170	SKA St. Petersburg-HK Sochi (KHL)	`23(7th)	48	19	22	41	26
2	Oliver Bonk	D	19	6-2/175	London (OHL)	`23(22nd)	60	24	43	67	32
3	Emil Andrae	D	22	5-9/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`20(54th)	61	5	27	32	66
					Philadelphia (NHL)	`20(54th)	4	0	0	0	0
4	Ronnie Attard	D	25	6-3/210	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`19(72nd)	48	10	17	27	37
					Philadelphia (NHL)	`19(72nd)	12	0	2	2	6
5	Carson Bjarnason	G	18	6-3/185	Brandon (WHL)	`23(51st)	46	24	17	3.01	0.907
6	Denver Barkey	C	19	5-8/160	London (OHL)	`23(95th)	64	35	67	102	28
7	Alexei Kolosov	G	22	6-1/185	Dinamo Minsk (KHL)	`21(78th)	47	22	21	2.39	0.907
8	Samu Tuomaala	RW	21	5-10/175	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`21(46th)	69	15	28	43	12
9	Elliot Desnoyers	LW	22	5-10/185	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`20(135th)	63	6	16	22	23
10	Carter Sotheran	D	18	6-3/195	Portland (WHL)	`23(135th)	66	13	27	40	68
11	Helge Grans	D	21	6-2/205	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	T(LA-6/23)	56	1	7	8	24
12	Olle Lycksell	RW	24	5-11/175	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`17(168th)	38	19	20	39	14
					Philadelphia (NHL)	`17(168th)	18	1	4	5	6
13	Ethan Samson	D	20	6-1/195	Lehigh Valley (AHL)	`21(174th)	63	3	9	12	56
14	Yegor Zavragin	G	18	6-2/185	Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (VHL)	`23(87th)	17	13	1	1.60	0.943
15	Alex Bump	LW	20	6-0/195	Western Michigan (NCHC)	`22(133rd)	38	14	22	36	27

1. Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent assortment of global repercussions, have prevented North American hockey fans from watching Michkov shine at prestigious events like the World Juniors. And that's a real shame, because if his high scoring totals in the KHL are any indication, he could have put on quite a show. He has a razor-sharp ability to dissect opposing defenders one-on-one or carve his way through larger crowds of traffic, and is one of the best pure finishers in the world for his age group. There is a certain incisiveness to his mindset that sets him apart from others. Will he be a true superstar in the NHL? That will depend on whether he can become fast enough to create more separation on the smaller North American ice surfaces, because there are times right now where he gets bottled up too easily.

2. Oliver Bonk, D, London Knights (OHL)

Bonk is like a young defenseman version of Costco: he offers everything and the quality is always good, though you'll rarely get anything that's truly top of the line. Every NHL team needs blueliners who can play in all situations, move up or down defense pairs as needed, and provide a stabilizing presence throughout without any worries or problems, and he is the epitome of that. It's no coincidence that London continues to be one of the best teams in the OHL with Bonk logging tons of minutes for them. The more you watch him, the more you appreciate the amazing nuance and fine details of his game. He'll probably join the Flyers at a young age and start out in a limited role, before steadily taking on more and more minutes until he eventually becomes one of their most trusted go-to guys.

3. Emil Andrae, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Andrae received a decent look up with the Flyers back in October, but from what they saw the organization’s brass decided that he wasn’t quite ready for the challenge, so they sent him down to the AHL to let the year play out for him there instead. Nevertheless, the franchise is still committed to a serious youth movement, so come next training camp he should get another heavily scrutinized trial. For a defenseman his size he plays incredibly hard, which is always a bonus in Philadelphia. He’s also well above average when it comes to driving offense from the back end, and he deserves full marks for his mental makeup. That’s a great foundation to have in place, so now the big X-factor for him becomes his skating, which will need to keep improving, and improving a lot, to counterbalance the aforementioned deficiencies in his stature.

4. Ronnie Attard, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Attard has always been a late bloomer, so Flyers fans need not be too concerned that he hasn’t seemed fully equipped for full-time NHL duty yet, despite being 25 years old now and getting looks with the big club intermittently across the past three seasons. And out of all the types of prospects that teams should be extra patient with, right-shooting defensemen with size and prior track records of contributing offensively should be right at the top of the list, because they have outsized value if they can find a way to put all the pieces together. All that said, the team wants healthy internal competition for most roster spots, so if Attard isn’t careful he could get left in the dust by others. He isn’t going to get handed a job no matter how appealing his upside may be.

5. Carson Bjarnason, G, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

Bjarnason's underwhelming stats this season are more of a reflection of Brandon's lackluster roster, and not the performance or long-term upside of their starting goalie. That whole team had neither a hope nor a prayer in the opening round of the playoffs, and they looked and acted like it. There were too many games throughout the year when Bjarnason was clearly not dialed in, and that's never ideal, but there were also plenty that the Wheat Kings never would have had a chance of winning without his heroics. Thinking big-picture, the Flyers are likely still content with the draft capital they spent on him, because he has everything that you'd want to see in a young goaltender, including size, refined technique, fluid mobility in the crease, and the ability to hang in there during games where he gets pelted with rubber.

6. Denver Barkey, C, London Knights (OHL)

Barkey is the type of prospect who seems like he was born to play hockey. There is such a natural ease to how he thinks and feels the game. At the same time, he's far from laid back or casual. Few can match his focus, competitive drive and desire to win, but all of those seem second nature to him as well. He might not possess as much raw skill as other top prospects have, but his production explodes this season because he knows exactly which parts of his game he can improve, and how to do so. His lack of size and strength will persist and unfortunately hinder his NHL impact to some degree, but there is little doubt that he will eventually work himself onto the Flyers in some capacity and find ways to stick around for a long time.

7. Alexei Kolosov, G, Dinamo Minsk (KHL)

The trend toward bigger puck stoppers in the NHL is well-documented by now, and the disadvantages experienced by smaller ones is undeniable, but the Flyers have to be optimistic about Kolosov because of his track record in the KHL over the past few seasons. He was the number one goalie for Minsk Dynamo for two years in a row and put forth a valiant effort during the league’s most recent playoffs, but didn't get the goal support he needed from the team in front of him. His reflexes are quite quick and he does a good job of staying in control while being active in his crease, which are essentially these days for non-giant netminders. He's already made the anticipated move to Lehigh Valley in the AHL and will be given a fair shot to win the starter's job there next season.

8. Samu Tuomaala, RW, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Tuomaala has had a bit of a rocky development since getting drafted, bouncing around a handful of different clubs in Finland and then surprisingly being snubbed for his home nation's representation at two straight World Juniors tournaments. However, his first full season in North America was an encouraging course correction, spending the entirety of it with the Phantoms and establishing himself as a productive Top 6 winger for them. He's a slippery offensive creator with the ability to make defenders miss, as well as a deceptively heavy shot for a guy his size. His limitations have stemmed from his lack of strength and top-line speed. The Flyers have shown an eagerness to test out many of their prospects in NHL action, so Tuomaala could get his first look with the big club as early as next fall if he has a notable training camp and preseason.

9. Elliot Desnoyers, LW, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Desnoyers has come a long way in his hockey career riding on hard work, will, and sheer determination. That’s not to say that he’s necessarily lacking in talent, but it’s been those other intangibles that have really set him apart and taken him further than others have gone, including being drafted, making the always-contested Canadian roster for the World Juniors, and getting to dress for NHL games. That’s a draining way to play, however, when it’s pretty much all you’ve got going, and sooner or later everyone’s engine starts to clunk out after it’s been pushed into the red zone for too long. His second season in the AHL was a significant step back from his first, which doesn’t bode well for where his career is going to go from here. It’s not too late for him, but will he be able to mix in other ways of being successful?

10. Carter Sotheran, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

In his draft year Sotheran looked like a prospect who was on the cusp of taking a big step forward, and we're seeing that exact outcome loud and clear this season. He's become more impenetrable defensively, his offensive contributions have increased, and he's just really come into his own overall, and he's doing so as a go-to player on one of the best teams in the entire Canadian Hockey League. All of his progression ultimately stems from huge increases to his confidence and comfort level, which is visible with how he carries himself on the ice, especially when it comes to jumping up in the play. There is tremendous value in right-shooting blueliners with mobility, size, and the capability of impacting the play across all three zones, so the Flyers must be thrilled that they were able to add one to their prospect pool using a mere 5th-round draft pick.

PROSPECT CRITERIA: Players under 26 years of age as of 9/15/2024 who have appeared in less than 60 games (30 for goalies) and less than 25 in one season (25 for goalies).

MCKEEN’S 2022-23 NHL YEARBOOK – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Top 20 Prospects

Contributors – Brock Otten, Ethan Hetu, Zack Szweras, — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 20:35:33 +0000

1 - Cutter Gauthier LW

Cutter Gauthier, the fifth-overall pick at the 2022 NHL draft, was a bit of a divisive prospect in his draft cycle. His first-round merits weren’t up for debate — pretty much everyone agreed on his chops as a top-half-of-the-first-round talent — but it was his status among the draft’s very best prospects that garnered the most debate. Sources within the game, such as Bob McKenzie of TSN’s rankings based on polls of NHL scouts, ranked him as a prospect deserving of top-five consideration, and the Flyers seemed to agree, while rankings from the media held his game in less of a high regard, ranking him more around the back of the top-ten or the early teens. The split in opinion on Gauthier can be largely explained by his on-ice profile. The merits of Gauthier’s game, the best aspects of his profile, read off like a coach’s wishlist for things he or she wants in a skater. Gauthier is fearless, always looking to create chances in any way he can, even in the dirty areas of the ice. He has a high work ethic, finding ways to remain active and close to the play on every shift. He’s physical, and he regularly engages in and wins board battles. Perhaps most importantly for his pro projection, Gauthier is a disciplined prospect, always working within the structure and system his coach provides for him. Some players want to excel in the game on their own terms, while Gauthier instead looks like a player keenly interested in maximizing his effectiveness within his coach’s vision rather than his own. That’s not to say he’s without high-end tools, his shot, for example, is among the very best in his class, but that is to say that his overall profile emphasizes the high likelihood of him being an impactful NHL-er rather than him having a chance at becoming a game-breaking star. - EH

2 - Cam York D

It was a pretty solid first full pro season for York, as he split time between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley before a foot fracture ended his season early. In Philadelphia, he was quarterbacking the top powerplay unit, a role that he is definitely being groomed for. York is a terrific distributor because of his vision and mobility. He remains composed at all times working the point because he has confidence in his ability to elude checks and consistently makes quick decisions under pressure. His composure translates to the defensive end too, where he is a breakout machine. Again, he rarely panics in the face of pressure and can either carry out or make a successful exit pass to clear the defensive zone. The highest scoring defender in the history of the U.S. NTDP, York’s offensive potential at the NHL level remains sky high. Defensively, his progression will be tied to his ability to add strength to help him win puck battles and positional battles more consistently. His positioning and reads are sound, but he was overwhelmed at times as a rookie playing on a struggling team. Even with the acquisition of Anthony DeAngelo, York figures to play the entire upcoming season with Philadelphia. DeAngelo will definitely cut into his powerplay time, but York should still play a consistent role, likely paired with a veteran such as Justin Braun, on the third pairing. Eventually, he should slide into a top four role and take over top powerplay responsibilities as one of the Flyers’ key young cornerstones. - BO

3 - Bobby Brink RW

Bobby Brink was the most productive scorer in the NCAA last season, and his success at the University of Denver is what led him to sign his NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. An early second-round pick at the 2019 draft, Brink’s offensive talent was never in doubt. Brink’s puck skills, his stickhandling, passing, and control of the flow of play with the puck on his stick is extremely good. He has this shiftiness to him that makes him a difficult task to handle for opposing defenders, and it’s impossible to guess what Brink will do next with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. There are few players in college hockey who create offense the way Brink does, and by the end of his brilliant junior campaign he looked like he’d mastered the art of creating offense against college defenses. The issue with Brink, and the reason he didn’t go in the first round in 2019, largely lies in the way he creates offense and his most talked-about tool: his skating. To address the first point, Brink creates offense from the outside, and rarely is one to use the more difficult areas of the ice to create his chances. For many players, they can survive doing so because of their ability to separate from defenders. Brink’s skating, while more developed than it was in his draft year, is still far from being sufficient enough to give him a separation gear, and he’ll struggle to play the same style of offense against NHL defenses. If Brink can improve his skating significantly, then he can be a similar player as an NHLer to who he was in college, but massive improvements in his skating are unlikely, what’s more likely is Brink either makes the necessary stylistic and habitual adjustments to survive as a scorer in the NHL or wholly fails to live up to the hype he generated as a college star. - EH

4 - Tyson Foerster C

The last two seasons have not been kind to Foerster, the Flyers’ 23rd overall selection in 2020. Two years ago, with the OHL on a pandemic related hiatus, Foerster suffered a leg fracture that limited his playing time with Lehigh Valley in the AHL. Last year, the injury bug bit again as a shoulder injury kept him out for the majority of the season until the Flyers returned Foerster back to the OHL to help Barrie with their playoff run. In reality, he should have been returned to the OHL at the very beginning of the season to help his development. On a positive note, he looked fully healthy at the summer World Juniors playing for Canada, where he had a strong tournament. Drafted with the potential of playing center, Foerster appears locked in as a winger now. It is there that he can take advantage of his outstanding shot, especially from a stand still. He also plays a competitive game without the puck, working hard to win battles, forecheck, and force turnovers defensively. The weak spot of his game, Foerster’s explosiveness and top speed, have improved since being drafted, however it will need to continue to improve over the next few years for him to become a top six forward for the Flyers. He projects as a middle six goal scorer who can be a weapon on the powerplay. This coming season, Foerster will likely spend the full season in Lehigh Valley, hoping to finally have a healthy campaign at the AHL level. - BO

5 - Egor Zamula D

Now fully healthy following back surgery in 2020, the former free agent signing out of Calgary (WHL) is coming off of a strong year in the AHL with Lehigh Valley, where Zamula was one of the team’s best defenders. He even earned a small cup of coffee with the Flyers; a reward for his strong play in the AHL. He is a strong and mobile two-way defender with the upside to be a difference maker at both ends. An excellent athlete, he is terrific at defending pace and closing off lanes in transition. He is aggressive with his gaps, and he uses his long reach to be disruptive. He can also have a positive impact on the transition game offensively as his long strides allow him to chew up space quickly and lead the attack through the neutral zone. He is not the most naturally skilled player with the puck, but he protects it well and sees the ice well enough to make quick decisions. The key for him is to continue to add strength and bulk to his wiry frame so that he can apply physical pressure more consistently and effectively at the NHL level. This coming season, he is likely ticketed for another AHL year, although he should also be one of the top injury call-ups for the Flyers. In a year or two, he should be ready for a third pairing role with the opportunity to work higher in the lineup down the road. - BO

6 - Ronnie Attard D

A third-round pick at the 2019 draft, Ronne Attard enjoyed an extremely successful career at Western Michigan University, and by the time he was a senior he had grown into being an all-situations top-of-the-lineup force for first-year coach Pat Ferschweiler. Attard’s time in college led him to make an immediate jump to the NHL with the Flyers, and Attard’s 15-game stretch as an NHL newbie was uneven. There were moments of promise, and Attard was even given looks on both of the Flyers’ special teams units. There were also moments where Attard looked like he badly needed additional development time in the AHL, times when the extremely talented and deceptive playmakers of the NHL were able to expose Attard’s inexperience to create offense. At times, Attard looked like he could weather the storm in the NHL, but those moments were too infrequent for him to comfortably project as an NHL defenseman immediately next season. If Attard can get some time as a top defenseman at AHL Lehigh Valley, he’ll learn to grow more comfortable with the professional game in a lower pressure setting. Attard is a big defenseman who moves well and can theoretically provide value at both ends of the ice. He showed enough as a college defenseman to reasonably have AHL number-one defenseman upside, and if he can stick as an NHLer and develop a bit more he could possibly anchor a bottom-pairing as a two-way defenseman who contributes on the secondary units of both special teams’ groups. - EH

7 - Noah Cates LW

Noah Cates’ four-year progression at the University of Minnesota-Duluth might look a bit puzzling to onlookers, as he never truly became a game-breaking offensive player after his point-per-game sophomore season. But in the absence of high-end offensive development, Cates has polished his game and become a true two-way force. The 23-year-old forward was a fifth-round pick at the 2017 draft and has an inside track to remain with the Flyers’ NHL club next season after scoring five goals and nine points in his first 16 NHL games. Cates, a six-foot-one left wing, is the kind of two-way player that NHL coaches will have a difficult time leaving out of their lineup. Despite his inexperience, Cates got time on the Flyers’ penalty kill and figures to have a future in that role in the NHL. Cates is a smart player, and he often puts himself in the right place at the right time. Some might attribute players who do that often as them simply being lucky, but Cates’ offensive game is largely based on opportunism. Cates creates his own luck, always reading the play and finding ways to be in the exact places his teammates want a linemate to be in. His raw tools won’t overwhelm, and his upside as an offensive generator in the NHL is limited, but if he finds ways to remain reasonably productive at the NHL level despite not having a ton of plainly visible offensive talent, that shouldn’t surprise anybody. As a potential penalty killer who gives his team sporadic bursts of scoring, Cates can forge a solid NHL career. He doesn’t have the most upside of any Flyers prospect, but he’s a decent bet to make an NHL impact and be someone coaches always find a way to fit in their lineup. - EH

8 - Wade Allison RW

Is there a player in professional hockey with worse luck than Wade Allison the last few seasons? He was penciled into the Flyers’ lineup this past season before suffering an ankle injury. Then upon returning he suffered an MCL sprain. Just when you thought he was healthy, boom…he acquired a serious arm laceration from a skate. When healthy, Allison is a middle six NHL forward. He has proven that at the NHL level already. His combination of size, skill, and power skating is impressive, and he can be a load to handle for even NHL defenders as he drives the net. Allison has looked particularly impressive on the powerplay at the NHL level, playing as the bumper or net front presence. That said, have all these injuries stunted his development? The coming season is a huge one for him. The Flyers, once again, have some openings in their middle six that he could grab hold of. Additionally, one of his top competitors for those spots, Bobby Brink, has been lost to injury. Allison needs to come to camp healthy and stay healthy. If he does, he should be a full time NHL player this season and a likely productive one. As the Flyers continue their rebuild, there is definitely a spot for a power scorer like Allison, so long as his body can hold up. - BO

9 - Elliot Desnoyers LW

Desnoyers was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers for his simple, off-puck, defensive brand of hockey. He was a high energy, depth player for Moncton in his draft year. However, after his draft season, Desnoyers completely transformed into a whole different player following a deal to Halifax. Captain of the Mooseheads, Elliot is now a confident puck mover that excels in transition and dictates the pace of the play. His skating is excellent, and he can blow past defenders with ease. Desnoyers also played for Team Canada in the most recent 2022 World Juniors and despite not playing a lot of minutes, he was an important piece for them as they won the gold medal. The only thing holding back Desnoyers is his size and the lack of an elite shot, but given his versatility, it is easy to see him eventually finding a role at the NHL level. That could be as more of a fourth line forechecker and penalty killer, or it could be as a high-energy, playmaking middle six forward. Desnoyers will start his pro journey this season in the AHL, and it seems likely that he will start lower in the lineup to build up confidence in his offensive game while playing against men. After a few years, look for him to be knocking on the door of the Flyers. - EB

10 - Emil Andrae D

The 54^th overall selection in the 2020 NHL draft by the Phillidelphia Flyers, Andrae is an undersized defenceman who exudes confidence on both sides of the ice. He plays with a ton of tenacity, never takes a shift off, and is committed to winning puck battles. Andrae has good four-way mobility, generating speed with strong crossovers and detailed footwork. He is quite gifted in the offensive zone, has a strong ability to scan the ice for open passing/shooting lanes to exploit. While undersized, he has a stocky frame, which allows him to be physical and results in him rarely losing his balance in battles. Since being drafted, Andrae has split the past few seasons between the SHL and Sweden’s second league Allsvenskan. Last season, his HV71 squad competed in the Allsvenskan, where Andrae elevated his game finishing with 33 points in 41 games. He also helped lead HV71 to the Allsvenskan championship with 11 points in 10 playoff games, helping them win promotion back to the SHL. Andrae has also had a ton of success internationally, being named Captain of both the January and August Swedish World Junior teams. At the recent tournament, he led his team in points with 8 in 7 games on his way to helping Sweden capture gold. Andrae also finished 2^nd in points out of all defencemen and was named to the Media All-Star team. He is poised for another strong season for HV71 and will look to dominate the SHL as he did the Allsvenskan last season. - ZS

11 - Samu Tuomaala

A strong skating sniper, Tuomaala’s development wasn’t handled in the best way this past season. The Flyers tried to start the 18/19-year-old at the AHL level but that failed, so they loaned him back to Finland where he also played sparingly. He will try to prove that he is worthy of a larger role in Liiga this season, starting the year with Jukurit from the very beginning.

12 - Jay O'Brien

Everyone’s favourite controversial first round pick, O’Brien’s development path has been a unique one. However, he’s finally found a home at Boston University and has been trending back upwards. The Flyers will be looking for O’Brien to become one of the NCAA’s best offensive players this season.

13 - Ivan Fedotov

Unfortunately, a black cloud is hanging over Fedotov because of his arrest and detainment in Russia after signing with Philadelphia. The promising netminder could have been Philadelphia’s backup this year but his career now hangs in jeopardy. On talent alone, he probably deserves to be higher in these rankings, but the circumstances dictate him being lower.

14 - Alexei Kolosov

A highly athletic Belarussian netminder, Kolosov will need to continue to refine his technical skills while playing in the KHL. He is a longer-term project but one with great potential.

15 - Ethan Samson

One of the WHL’s breakout stars last year, Samson emerged as a two-way threat on a rebuilding Prince George team. The big defender was drafted as more of a physical shutdown type, but his confidence and abilities with the puck have improved tenfold.

16 - Owen McLaughlin

McLaughlin showed significant growth playing in the USHL last season. He helped Sioux City capture a Clark Cup and was a consistent offensive force. The talented and intelligent playmaker will have to continue to upgrade his skating to be an impactful freshman with UND this season.

17 - Zayde Wisdom

After a breakout season at the pro level during the height of the pandemic, Wisdom really raised some eyebrows. However, a shoulder injury and the rehab of it definitely negatively impacted his development as he returned to the OHL last year with mixed results. Wisdom is a hard worker with skill, but hopefully he focused on getting back his speed and quickness this offseason.

18 - Devin Kaplan

An intelligent power winger, Kaplan is the prototypical third line player for today’s NHL. He just needs to focus on improving his quickness while attending Boston University.

19 - Isaac Ratcliffe

The upcoming season will be a huge one for the big winger (no pun intended). He has struggled to adapt to the pace of play in his first three pro seasons. If he does not become a consistent offensive force at the AHL level this season, he may not be qualified by the Flyers next offseason.

20 - Alex Bump

Very much a project pick that Philadelphia will have to be patient with. Bump is a power winger with a scorer’s touch. He needs to improve his quickness and overall skating ability (a trend in Philadelphia’s system). He will likely play with Omaha (USHL) this year before going to Vermont the following season. He could be one of the better players in the USHL this year.

2022 NHL DRAFT: TIER 2 LEAGUES (USHS, CJHL, ETC.) TOP PROSPECTS – Part Two – Forwards

Brock Otten — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 19:48:55 +0000

McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, provides a close examination of all the top "Tier 2" players available for the draft this year (USHS, CJHL, etc). The second in the series highlights the forwards. You can read Part One here.

Alex Bump. Photo by Dan Hickliing/Hickling Images.

Alex Bump

Wing - Prior Lake High (USHS-MIN)/Omaha (USHL)

6’0, 194lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 53

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Notes: One of the sharpest rising prospects in the second half thanks to a dominating performance during the Minnesota high school hockey playoffs, Bump is a tenacious goal scoring winger. His ability to protect the puck through contact and drive the net makes him a nearly unstoppable player at the high school level. High school defenders just can’t seem to separate him from the puck, allowing him to navigate the offensive zone at his own free will. Bump also shows great hands and a scorer’s touch in the slot, with the ability to create his own scoring chances through quick cuts or subtle dekes to pull the puck around skates and sticks, creating shooting lanes for himself. He also brings a consistent physical element, to go with a high motor and tenaciousness playing through the middle. The major concern here is a bit of an ugly and inefficient stride that prevents Bump from building speed quickly. His lack of explosiveness was most noticeable at the USHL level. Bump’s confidence on his edges and ability to maintain possession through lateral pushes or pivots is strong and once he builds to full speed; he can be dangerous in transition. However, his first few strides and ability to maintain speed will need to improve to play at the next level. Additionally, Bump can be prone to overhandling the puck, with his decision making and overall vision being a bit of a question mark. The Vermont commit does have the strength and skill to be a solid complementary goal scorer, and given his strong finish to the year, he is certainly a candidate for the Top 100 if a team is convinced that his skating can be improved.

Zam Plante

Center/Wing - Hermantown High (USHS-MIN)/Chicago (USHL)

5’9, 161lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.75

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Notes: The son of former NHL’er Derek Plante, Zam has split the season between Chicago and Hermantown, originally starting the year with the Steel before heading back to Minnesota. With Chicago, he mostly filled a depth role on a deep Steel team, providing energy on the wing of a checking line. In Hermantown, he is a dynamic, pace pushing center who has become one of the elite players in high school hockey. Regardless of the role, one thing remains consistent about his game and that is his effort and tenacity away from the puck. Don’t let the low penalty minutes fool you. He’s not the type to make big hits or bully his way to the net, but physicality and competitiveness can be measured in other ways…ways that Plante has in spades. He is a relentless forechecker and a very competent boards player, who has a terrific stick that compensates for his lack of size/strength at the current time. His ability to use stick lifts or his feet to gain inside leverage allows him to keep plays alive and his awareness and determination allows him to force turnovers that can be capitalized on. Plante also has the quickness that you like to see from a smaller player, even if there might be room for further development in his stability and edgework. Additionally, he possesses the kind of creativity that is rare from a competitive, high-energy attacker like Plante. This makes him a dangerous playmaker who can strike quickly following turnovers and elevate the play of those around him. His defensive game is also sound. Ultimately the question remains, what is Plante’s upside? As he adds further quickness and builds up the strength to play through contact more consistently through the middle, Plante does possess the attributes of a middle six forward.

Brennan Ali

Center - Avon Old Farms (USHS-Prep)/Lincoln (USHL)

6’1, 194lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 53.25

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Notes: Ali is an easy player to like due to his motor and intelligence as a playmaker. He has been a standout from the get-go this draft season, starting with a strong performance at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup in the summer. He generates power quickly with explosive strides and this allows him to really make an impact in transition and as a forechecker. Ali is also a physical player who relishes the opportunity to play the body, in any zone. Given his skating ability, length, effort, and physicality, he likely has a chance to develop into a high-end defensive player and penalty killer. The question is…just how skilled is Ali? His shot is not currently a consistent weapon for him. He will need to improve the quickness of his release, the power behind it, and his confidence in using his wrister from the slot or outside. Additionally, there are times where his feet are moving too fast for his hands, and he is not able to maintain possession through contact or forced directional changes. There are other times where his playmaking ability really stands out, as he keeps plays alive along the wall, drives time of possession, and is able to spin off checks to set up teammates in the home plate area for high end chances. At this point, Ali does look like more of a bottom six forward at the NHL level, although he will be given every opportunity at the University of Notre Dame to improve his play with the puck and creativity.

Luke Devlin

Center - St Andrew’s College (CISAA)

6’3, 181lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 60

OFP: 50

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Notes: A big power center playing out of St. Andrew’s College, Devlin, fittingly, is a Cornell recruit. His game is tailored extremely well to play at that program, where he can transform into a high-end two-way center at the college level. Devlin’s most noticeable trait is the physicality he brings. He loves to throw his weight around, especially on the forecheck. This is extremely noticeable at the prep level and was a big part of his game at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, where he played a depth role for the U.S. Devlin is also a very capable net front presence, who has the hands to finish in tight or deflect pucks and he exhibits solid protection skills through traffic. For a big man, Devlin’s explosiveness is also quite good, allowing him to close quickly on loose pucks or surprise defenders with a quick burst to the net. His ability to sustain speed or move East/West is where further progression is required. From a skill standpoint, Devlin shows well as a pass first center who can keep plays alive along the wall and distribute well playing through the middle in transition. His ability to make skilled plays at full speed is not terrific and his shot is not NHL caliber at this time. The offensive upside here may be fairly limited. However, there is certainly some potential for him to develop into a net driving, defensively oriented, power center after three or four years in the Ivy conference. For those wondering, Devlin is the son of current Toronto Raptors broadcaster Matt Devlin.

Eli Sebastian

Center - St. Andrew’s College (CISAA)

5’11, 180lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 45, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 49.75

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Notes: Patience will be key here. Sebastian does have a verbal commitment to Northeastern, however he is also set to play next year with Penticton of the BCHL before making the jump to the NCAA the year after. Sebastian is a fairly competitive two-way center who has quick feet and the mind set to push the pace and attack the net. His positioning and awareness in the defensive zone is a positive, and when combined with a pretty solid compete level, it makes him a strong defensive presence for St. Andrew’s. Sebastian can force turnovers and then use his quick and powerful stride to jet up ice in transition on the counterattack. The hands and creativity do not stand out in a majorly positive way, even at the prep level, as he can struggle to maintain possession through contact or to secure pucks at top speed. This could limit his offensive potential at the next level. As he gets stronger and matures physically, we may get a better indication of his offensive capabilities. Playing out of the BCHL next year, with a great program, should help us gain a better understanding of Sebastian’s pro potential. As such, he may not be a true draft candidate this year, but instead a player scouts opt to follow closely moving forward, to see if his game with the puck can take that next step.

Rieger Lorenz

Wing - Okotoks (AJHL)

6’2, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 53.25

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Notes: Lorenz has had a terrific season with Okotoks of the AJHL, consistently finding himself in the top five of league scoring despite being a U18 player. While his production isn’t quite at the same level of recent high picks Dylan Holloway and Carter Savoie, it does compare favorably to other recent AJHL picks like Alex Young, Quinn Olson, and Brandon Biro (signed and not drafted), who are currently having or had a lot of success at the NCAA level. Without the World Junior A Challenge this year or a CJHL Top Prospect’s Game, scouts are left with only Lorenz’s AJHL play to assess him to this point (although he is a near shoe-in to be a member of Canada’s U18 team once that situation irons itself out). Lorenz’s skill and creativity may be fairly average, all things considered, but he does have an intriguing blend of size, quickness, and playmaking IQ. His straight-line speed is impressive, and he uses it really well to both, push pace without the puck, and apply pressure on the forecheck without it. He’s not an overtly physical player, but his engagement level is fairly solid and his work rate in the offensive end is very impressive. The consistency with which that work rate is applied in the defensive end is more inconsistent, but given his quickness, reach, and awareness, there is a chance that he could develop into a high-end defensive forward once his conditioning improves further. Equal parts playmaker and finisher, Lorenz works the half wall area in impressive fashion, sliding in and out of coverage to find lanes and to hunt down chances. A Denver commit (joining the aforementioned Carter Savoie), Lorenz’s physical tools will be very intriguing to NHL teams this year and it would be shocking to see him still on the board past the 50th pick.

Bowden Singleton

Wing - Okotoks (AJHL)

5’9, 154lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 40

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: It is worth noting that at one point early on in the AJHL season, Singleton was leading the AJHL in scoring. However, an ice cold second half has the North Dakota commit under the point per game rate and has led to him being a fairly large disappointment overall in his draft year. Coming into the 2022 draft season, he and Lorenz were viewed fairly similarly, and the expectation was that he could be a high pick. For what it’s worth, only one AJHL forward has ever been drafted into the NHL while averaging under a point per game (Austin Wong in 2018). As an undersized and underperforming player, the odds are against Singleton. Yet, because of his high-end offensive potential, Singleton will draw looks and interest. He is quick and shifty in the offensive zone, possessing the extra gear to create separation in transition. He quarterbacks the powerplay and shows good instincts and puck skill in that role, helping to move the puck. There are times where his shot shows well, with a quick release, and others where he struggles to get himself into scoring position and fumbles attempts/fails to capitalize on good chances. So what’s the disconnect? First and foremost, a lack of strength really hinders him, even at a tier 2 level. He can be easily knocked off stride and is largely limited to being a true complementary piece most of the time, especially once he’s inside the offensive zone. He’s also a fairly one-dimensional player currently and one who will need to increase his overall engagement level when the puck isn’t in the offensive zone. He could probably benefit from a year in the USHL next year before heading to North Dakota to help him bulk up and iron out inconsistencies.

Parker Murray

Wing - Oakville (OJHL)/Wenatchee (BCHL)

6’4, 225lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 45, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 49.25

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Notes: Currently without an NCAA commitment, Parker Murray is a big power forward who clearly molds his game after his father Glen. He started the year with Oakville in the OJHL, but when Ontario went through another pandemic related shutdown, he had his rights transferred to Wenatchee in the BCHL. Murray’s scoring has come in bunches this year, both in the OJHL and the BCHL. Consistency has certainly been an issue for him in his first year at a higher level of play, but there are flashes that suggest he could have upside as a big, complementary goal scorer. He actually generates a fair amount of power with big, galloping strides and that makes him a real threat North/South. The agility and stability through pivots/cuts needs work, but he has the potential to be a quality mover given his massive frame. Murray also shows a nice goal scoring touch in tight and consistently finds his way to the net. He plays a physical game down low and generally keeps his feet moving in the offensive zone. However, there are currently some skill limitations. Firstly, the shot is mighty powerful, but his release is lumbering. He gets himself in good scoring position, but he needs to catch pucks cleaner and work to generate velocity without such a prolonged windup. This is a critical next step for him, especially if he wants to be a high-end goal scorer at the next level he plays at. Additionally, Murray struggles at times to receive passes cleanly at full speed or maintain possession through the neutral zone. Being able to blend his powerful stride with better puck control is another required next step. But there is a solid pedigree here and it’s clear that his game is very raw but does not lack upside. It wouldn’t shock me to see an NHL team toss a late round pick his way to secure his rights over what will be a very long development period. It will also be interesting to see what program eventually secures Murray’s rights (although he is also property of Chicago of the USHL and Portland of the WHL).

Cade Littler

Center - Wenatchee (BCHL)

6’3, 200lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: Playing for his father, Bliss Littler, with the Wenatchee Wild, Cade recently committed to Minnesota State University. Watching him, it’s obvious that he is the son of a highly respected coach, as his awareness, positioning, and vision are all major strengths. Littler dominates down low and in the cycle by keeping his feet moving and he has the vision and skill to set up plays by spinning off checks and escaping from the wall. He looks very comfortable working down low on the powerplay, showing a soft touch and a penchant for taking the puck to the net, using his size to shield it well. Littler also seems to anticipate the play well without the puck by working to get open looks from the slot to use his solid wrist shot. There really is a lot to like here about his game and the little ways that he can make an impact in a variety of situations. Unfortunately, the skating is holding him back at this current moment. He has a strong base and his ability to maintain possession through pivots is solid, however he often finds himself trailing the play and he makes little impact in the transition game. He has these long strides, but they generate very little power currently. His explosiveness and top end speed will need to be majorly upgraded in order for him to become a serious NHL prospect. However, he is also young for this draft (July birthdate) and has recently hit a growth spurt. As he fills out and builds strength, it is very possible that he could improve his skating and power. And if he is able to do that, he could actually be quite the find for a team because the size, IQ and, well rounded skill profile, do give him upside as a potential middle six, two-way player.

Tyson Dyck

Wing - Cranbrook (BCHL)

6’0, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 55, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 52

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Notes: The highest scoring ‘04 in the BCHL this season, Dyck is a quick strike goal scorer who has steadily improved over the course of the 2021/22 season. Dyck is like a waterbug in the offensive zone, weaving in and out of traffic to help create scoring chances. His hands are high end and he is able to blend skill and East/West movement well, stopping, starting, pivoting, and cutting, all on a dime, while maintaining possession. This makes him a difficult player to pin down. Dyck also shows very well as a potential goal scorer with a heavy wrist shot and a quick release that sees him convert on a lot of his chances from the slot. His awareness and effort in the offensive zone is also high without the puck. He is a tenacious forechecker and a player who never seems to give up on a play in the offensive zone. There is a real command to have the puck on his stick. That said, his game at the other end is quite non-existent, making him a fairly one-dimensional player at this current time. Increasing his overall physical intensity level will be a must moving forward, especially as someone who clearly wants to have the puck on his stick. Do not let the high penalty totals fool you, as the majority of these are undisciplined stick infractions from Dyck trying to reclaim the puck. Additionally, Dyck will need to upgrade his overall linear quickness to help him further gain separation at the next level. In a lot of ways, there are similarities in stride and skating strengths to former BCHL’er Ayrton Martino, with Dyck being more “shifty” than quick. One thing that has me somewhat perplexed is that Dyck has yet to commit to an NCAA program. Where he settles on going will be important for his development as he looks to round out his game. However, Dyck does have some standout qualities as an offensive player and his ceiling is high pending his physical attributes take a step forward.

Grayson Badger

Wing - Dexter Southfield (USHS-Prep)

6’0, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 60, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 45, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.25

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Notes: Sometimes it can be truly difficult to assess the skating ability of prep players, especially those at the upper echelon, because of how poor some of the lower end players are. However, in certain cases, like Scott Morrow last year, or Grayson Badger this year, you can see just how elite their skating qualities are. Watching Badger in the summer U17 Hlinka/Gretzky camp confirmed how quick he is, with the ability to compare him to other elite players. His top speed is extremely impressive, and he changes direction effortlessly, altering his path to help apply pressure or be first to pucks. Another admirable quality of Badger is his tenacity. While not consistently applied in every zone, he will drive the net, engage to help gain possession, and work hard to earn ice. Now comes the difficult part…for all of his physical tools, his skill application is currently described as inconsistent at best. There are times where he turns multiple defenders inside out to get a look in the slot. There are many others where his feet are moving too fast for his hands and maintaining possession becomes difficult for him. One hundred percent, the phrase “his hands need to catch up to his feet,'' applies perfectly here. Additionally, his understanding of spacing and how to play without the puck in the offensive zone needs refinement. There are times where he goes to occupy a lane already occupied in transition, providing little support to puck carriers, or others where he makes blind, forced passes to the slot with no teammate in sight. Is this a lack of experience playing with higher end players or a flaw in his conceptual understanding of the game? Either way, Badger is a player that I would be one hundred percent on board with my team taking a chance on at the draft. He is headed to a great program at Northeastern and his combination of quickness and tenaciousness could, at the very least, make him a capable energy guy after strong coaching and development. However, if the hands do catch up to the feet and his development path continues on a positive trajectory (from my understanding, he has already improved by leaps and bounds over the last two seasons), then an NHL team could have unearthed a diamond in the rough.

Michael Callow

Wing - St. Sebastian’s (USHS-Prep)

6’4, 194lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 50.5

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Notes: A Harvard commit, Callow is a massive power winger who is still growing into his frame and learning how to use his size to his benefit in the offensive end. He moves well North/South for a bigger player, even incorporating linear crossovers well to help him gain inside leverage on defenders in transition. However, his four way agility and stability need to improve in order for him to be a consistent offensive contributor moving forward. This is especially noticeable as he attempts to shake defenders when working the wall. From what I understand, his skating has improved greatly already in the last calendar year, so perhaps there is even further growth potential. Callow’s overall offensive skill set does not truly stand out, with his scoring ability, hands, passing touch, and vision all grading out about average. He does drive the net well and shows potential as a goal scoring power forward with finishing ability in tight. However, the overall offensive upside may be somewhat limited. The physical components of his game do likely have great potential, however. Given his size, reach, and solid linear quickness, Callow shows well as a forechecker and as his conditioning improves further, he could develop into the type of player coaches can employ in an energy role, hoping to clear space and help secure retrievals to establish offensive zone possession. However, the consistency of his physical game is not yet sound. In all likelihood, NHL scouts will definitely be intrigued by his physical tools and potential.

Colin Kessler

Center - Culver Academy (USHS-Prep)

5’11, 170lbs

Grades: Skating: 45, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.25

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Notes: There is a lot to like about this intelligent and versatile pivot. The offensive leader for Culver Military Academy, Kessler excels on and off the puck with a well-rounded skill set. While he is certainly a high-volume shooter, and one who possesses a powerful and quick wrist shot, he also has terrific scanning habits and vision and shows real promise as a playmaker. As his game evolves and he plays with better overall players, it is actually possible that the playmaking side of his game becomes his calling card. Kessler also shows well without the puck, engaged on the forecheck and the backcheck, looking to force turnovers and get his stick in passing lanes. The real downside here is a rather ugly stride. At the prep level, he finds success because of his awareness, and enough strength on the puck to play through contact. However, his wide base and short strides prevent him from really generating power quickly or being agile enough to prolong possession down low at the higher levels. The other real wild card here is that Kessler has yet to commit to an NCAA program. One has to wonder if he intends to play with Omaha in the USHL next year before making a decision on where to go. Another thing to consider, Kessler will need to improve his work on the draw. It’s not often you find such a dominant prep center hovering in that 30/40% rate every night. However, Kessler is the exact kind of pick certain organizations (who value analytics and possession metrics over physical tools) will be highly interested in. It is clear that he possesses a high-end mind for the game and his point per game average this year is among the highest in Culver school history (and they have had some good players come through that program). Get him with the right skating coach and development team and he could be a nice long-term play.

Ben MacDonald

Center - Noble & Greenough (USHS-Prep)

5’11, 165lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 50.5

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Notes: While Noble & Greenough is not one of the most known prep programs in Massachusetts, it has produced NHL talent in recent years such as the Hayes brothers (Kevin & Jimmy) and Miles Wood. That said, finding quality video on MacDonald was pretty difficult, the most difficult of any player I am writing about for this feature. So the majority of this assessment comes from his performance at the U.S. Hlinka/Gretzky camp last summer. MacDonald’s highest marks come in the goal scoring department as a shoot first pivot. His release and scoring instincts stand out, and he has a real nose for the net that should make him successful eventually at the NCAA level (with a commitment to Harvard). At the Prep level, he looks engaged defensively and physically, competing in all three zones. At the Hlinka/Gretzky camp, that was not the case, and the opposite was true. The rest of his profile rounds out as fairly average. He can generate some power to create separation with linear crossovers, but his sustainable speed and overall power need improvement. Additionally, he is not the most dynamic or creative player with the puck, leading me to believe that his future might be on the wing given his goal scoring prowess and ability to work off the puck in the offensive zone. If an NHL team selects MacDonald, it will be on the back of his goal scoring potential and the hope that the rest of his game blossoms slowly as he takes that next step (possibly with Des Moines of the USHL next year before attending Harvard the following season).

Daimon Gardner

Center - Warroad High (USHS-MN)/Omaha (USHL)

6’4, 200lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 55, Physicality/Compete: 55

OFP: 52.75

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Notes: Big centers who skate the way that Gardner does, and who can impact the transition game the way that he does, do not grow on trees. Gardner builds up to a very solid top speed and will also incorporate confident edgework into his stride to allow him to alter direction and pace, giving his attacks variance. This speed makes him an excellent forechecker too. There is likely still room for his explosiveness to improve, allowing him to stop and start more efficiently, but for such a big, young man, the skating qualities are impressive. Gardner’s overall sense on the ice in all three zones is also impressive. He uses his length well in the defensive end and fully encapsulates and understands his defensive assignments from the center position. While he’s not an overtly physical player like you might expect him to be given his size advantage at the prep level, he does drive the net, compete hard for loose pucks/retrievals, and use his size well to shield the puck. As he continues to mature, I would expect the physical qualities of his game to end up grading out above average. The real question here is, how much skill and creativity does Gardner possess and what would his upside be as a player at the next level? His ability to blend skill plays with the puck with his skating power, and his ability to finish off plays, is best described as inconsistent. There are flashes of brilliance (even at the USHL level), and there are stretches where he looks better suited to being a support player (especially at the USHL level). However, skill can be improved, and he is going to be a long-term project as he has already deferred his ride to Clarkson until the following year to play with Chilliwack of the BCHL next season. Unquestionably, there is a potential payoff here to the team willing to be patient with his development curve.

Dylan Godbout

Wing - Hill-Murray (USHS-MN)

5’11, 185lbs

Grades: Skating: 50, Shot: 55, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 45

OFP: 50.75

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Notes: Godbout is a talented goal scoring forward who has hovered around the goal per game mark for Hill-Murray, while serving as the team’s captain. His release and goal scoring instincts are major positives. He has a very powerful wrist shot that allows him to score from anywhere on the ice. Watching a collection of his goals from the past two seasons, he has popped a lot of water bottles. The rest of his game lags behind a bit. His top speed is decent, and it does allow him to excel in transition at the high school level, but the first few steps lack explosiveness in any direction, and I would be curious to see how that impacts his game as a goal scorer at the higher levels. Hopefully he gets in a few games with Sioux City (USHL) to close out the year to see how he would handle a pace increase. I also find Godbout to be fairly straight forward in his approach. He is not the type to wow you with immense one on one skill or an ability to consistently create for himself. His game is about the practical application of his goal scoring skill set; quick touches down low, dump and chase, working his way into the slot. I think there is also a lot of room for him to develop as a more complete player. Outside the offensive zone, he is not all that noticeable, and he is not a consistent physical presence, even in puck pursuit situations. What Godbout is, potentially, is a high-end complementary goal scorer who may take some time to hit his true potential due to some current skating limitations. He will head to the University of Wisconsin and certainly has a chance to be a big part of that program there.

Cameron O’Neill

Wing - Mount St. Charles Academy (USHS

6’1, 194lbs

Grades: Skating: 55, Shot: 50, Skills: 50, Smarts: 50, Physicality/Compete: 50

OFP: 51.25

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/cameron_o_neill_-_2nd_period_16_0_-_16_12.mp4

Notes: O’Neill is a pesky, goal scoring winger with a commitment to play at UMass. It is likely, however, that he plays in the USHL next year (Tri-City holds his rights), before joining the Minutemen. A Maryland native, O’Neill plays an up-tempo, high-energy game in the offensive end as he looks to use his size and speed combination to force turnovers, secure pucks, crash the net, and generally be a pain in the arse to play against. He shows a nice finishing touch in the slot and near the crease and has good enough hands to play a scoring line role at the NCAA level (at the very least) at some point. O’Neill can struggle to maintain possession at full speed when he leads the charge, with his application of skill and problem solving being more noticeable when he’s trying to escape traffic along the wall or work his way into the middle. While he is generally extremely energetic in the offensive end, that same tenacity is not evenly or consistently applied in the defensive end. This is an issue for many prep players, however, and given how he likes to play, it is reasonable to suggest that as he matures, improves conditioning, and gains confidence, he could develop into a very solid two-way winger. At the U.S. Hlinka/Gretzky camp he played some center, but largely plays the wing for Mount St. Charles and that would be the fit for him moving forward given his strengths are best suited to off the puck play. With some size, potential to develop into a high-level skater, and traits that could make him a solid complementary goal scorer, it is very conceivable that an NHL team could call O’Neill’s name this July. It would be the second consecutive year that Mount St. Charles would have an NHL draft pick after Owen McLaughlin and Nate Benoit were taken in the seventh round and sixth round, respectively, last year.

A note on the 20-80 scale used above. We look at five attributes (skating, shooting, puck skills, hockey IQ and physicality) for skaters and six for goalies (athleticism/quickness, compete/temperament, vision/play reading, technique/style, rebound control and puck handling). Each individual attribute is graded along the 20-80 scales, which includes half-grades. The idea is that a projection of 50 in a given attribute meant that our observer believed that the player could get to roughly NHL average at that attribute at maturity.

Alex Bump – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #10 Philadelphia Flyers – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 10th (Last Year - 12th) GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023 COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: May 2025

Porter Martone, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA) (Currently with Philadelphia Flyers)

Jett Luchanko, C, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Yegor Zavragin, G, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Alex Bump, LW, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Oliver Bonk, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Denver Barkey, C, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Shane Vansaghi, RW, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Heikki Ruohonen, C, Harvard University (NCAA)

Carson Bjarnason, G, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)

Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad (SHL) (Currently with Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL)

Spencer Gill, D, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)

Matthew Gard, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Jack Murtagh, LW, Boston University (NCAA)

Carter Amico, D, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

AHL: EASTERN CONFERENCE – Top 10 First Year Players to Date

Jack Devine, Florida Panthers

Alex Bump, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Denver Barkey, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Andrew Cristall, Hershey Bears

Gabe Perreault, Hartford Wolf Pack

Joey Larson, Bridgeport Islanders

Chase Pietila, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Ty Murchison, Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Dans Locmelis, Providence Bruins

Simon Zajicek, Providence Bruins

McKeen’s 2025-26 Calder Trophy Candidates

Ivan Demidov - RW - Montreal Canadiens

Alexander Nikishin - D - Carolina Hurricanes

Ryan Leonard - RW - Washington Capitals

Jimmy Snuggerud - RW - St. Louis Blues

Zeev Buium - D - Minnesota Wild

Sam Rinzel - D - Chicago Blackhawks

Zayne Parekh - D - Calgary Flames

Maxim Shabanov - C - New York Islanders

Michael Misa - C - San Jose Sharks

Yaroslav Askarov - G - San Jose Sharks

Sam Dickinson - D - San Jose Sharks

Ville Koivunen - LW - Pittsburgh Penguins

Matt Savoie - RW - Edmonton Oilers

Artyom Levshunov - D - Chicago Blackhawks

Easton Cowan - RW -Toronto Maple Leafs

Jani Nyman - RW - Seattle Kraken

Scott Morrow - D - New York Rangers

Matthew Schaefer - D - New York Islanders

Isaac Howard - LW - Edmonton Oilers

Rutger McGroarty - LW - Pittsburgh Penguins

Gabe Perreault - LW - New York Rangers

Alex Bump - LW - Philadelphia Flyers

Brad Nadeau - LW - Carolina Hurricanes

Logan Mailloux - D - St. Louis Blues

Danila Yurov - RW - Minnesota Wild

Beckett Sennecke - RW - Anaheim Ducks

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #12

Philadelphia Flyers Top-15 Prospects

1 - Porter Martone

2 - Jett Luchanko

3 - Oliver Bonk

4 - Alex Bump

5 - Jack Nesbitt

6 - Yegor Zavragin

7 - Jack Murtagh

8 - Nikita Grebyonkin

9 - Spencer Gill

10 - Carter Amico

11 - Shane Vansaghi

12 - Denver Barkey

13 - Carson Bjarnason

14 - Samu Tuomaala

15 - Ethan Samson

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #14 Philadelphia Flyers – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

2025 NHL PROSPECT REPORT: Top 200 NHL Affiliated Prospects (Top 50 Free) – Biggest risers in 2024-25

Scott Morrow - Defense - Carolina Hurricanes

Tristan Luneau - Defense - Anaheim Ducks

Liam Greentree - Wing - Los Angeles Kings

Cole Hutson - Defense - Washington Capitals

Owen Pickering - Defense - Pittsburgh Penguins

Prospect System Ranking – 10th (Last Year - 12th)
GM: Daniel Brière Hired: May 2023
COACH: Rick Tocchet Hired: May 2025