Oliver Bonk – 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.

McKeen’s 2025-26 Hockey Pool Yearbook Feature – Fantasy Prospect Rankings

Peter Harling — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:47:09 +0000

ST. LOUIS, MO - APRIL 12: Boston defenseman Cole Hutson (44) handles the puck during the championship game of the NCAA D1 Frozen Four between the Boston University Terriers and the Western Michigan Broncos on April 12, 2025, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)

When preparing for a fantasy draft or evaluating prospects for a trade in your fantasy league you need to understand the difference between rankings, and fantasy rankings. The difference can be subtle, or significant depending on your leagues scoring and format. Generally speaking, fantasy rankings are based on projected point production. I have found that the vast majority of readers who read and follow my work are in dynasty keeper leagues with peripheral stats, or bangers leagues. The following rankings are based on projected point production and include added value to players who can contribute other stats, such as hits, blocks, PIMs, and faceoff wins. In fantasy hockey, we have a limited number of prospect roster spots and as such I put higher value on prospects who have a quicker ETA to the NHL or have superstar upside. This will help you identify the top 30 forwards, 20 defencemen and ten goalies to target in your fantasy leagues. To be considered a prospect skaters must be under 26-years-old as of September 15th, 2024, and have played in under 60 career games, or less than 35 in a single season. For goalies, less than 30 career games played, or 15 in a single season.

Forwards

1 - Ivan Demidov, RW – Montreal Canadiens

Demidov made his NHL debut with much anticipation and expectations, and he did not disappoint with a two-point showing in his first game. There is a lot of hype surrounding Demidov and if he lives up to the potential, he could very well go down as one of the all-time scoring leaders in Montreal and flirt with 1,000 career points, joining the ranks of legends like Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau, and Henri Richard.

2 - Ryan Leonard, C – Washington Capitals

The big man on campus was the Hockey East Player of the Year and scoring champion with 49 points in 37 games at Boston College. He also captained Team USA to a WJC Gold Medal and then made his NHL debut in Washington scoring his first career goal. Leonard will be an NHL regular starting in the 2025-26 season and should be a Calder contender in his rookie season. His value in multi-category leagues is even higher.

3 - Isaac Howard, LW – Edmonton Oilers

Hot off a Hoby Baker Award winning season as a senior with Michigan State, Howard and the Lightning were at a contract impasse. Rather than lose him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Lightning traded him to the Oilers. Howard should see an opportunity to crack the Oilers roster in a top six role given their lack of prospect depth. His new ELC will fit in the Oilers budget and playing with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl could push Howard into the forefront of the Calder race.

4 - Beckett Sennecke, RW – Anaheim Ducks

A late season surge pushed Sennecke up the draft ranking all the way to third overall in his draft season. He has carried that momentum into hi D+1 season scoring 86 points in 56 games for the Generals. Don’t make the same mistake Team Canada made by erroneously omitting him from the 2025 WJC roster, Sennecke is a play driving forward with tremendous hockey sense and skill as well as size at 6-foot-4. Sennecke has another year of junior eligibility but could make the Ducks roster as soon as this season.

5 - Michael Misa, C – San Jose Sharks

Drafted second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Misa has been the first overall selection in all my fantasy drafts and mock drafts. Misa has been a highly anticipated fantasy prospect since becoming the latest OHL exceptional status recipient. He has a Memorial Cup Championship on his resume, is coming off a 134-point campaign and will spend his D+1 season developing in the NCAA against bigger, stronger, faster competition that will only make him more NHL ready for his ETA of 2026-27.

6 - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW – St. Louis Blues

After posting 51-points as captain of the Minnesota Golden Gophers and a finalist for the Hoby Baker, Snuggerud made a splash in the NHL with the Blues. Playing in the Blues final seven regular season games, he notched four points and then duplicated that performance in the playoffs. Snuggerud looks to be a lock for a top six role with the Blues and could be a solid Calder sleeper candidate if his early chemistry with Robert Thomas continues.

7 - Gabe Perreault, LW – New York Rangers

A lot of super-star players have come from the USNTDP, but Perreault holds the single season point record with 132 points in the 2022-23 season. Perreault just completed his sophomore season at Boston College and posted 16 goals and 32 assists in 37 games with the Eagles. He also was a key player in the USA WJC Gold Medal with 10 points in seven games. Perreault is a dynamic playmaker that also has a nose for the net and can finish. He played in five NHL games to close the season and while not a lock to make the Rangers out of training camp, he is their top prospect and a fantasy must own.

8 - Berkley Catton, C – Seattle Kraken

Catton was the 2024 draft class leading scorer with his 115-points, which puts him in the company of an elite group of players the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard to post such lofty production in their draft year. I am not suggesting that Catton has that kind of NHL and fantasy value, but he is the Krakens most dynamically gifted offensive player and has tremendous upside.

9 - Ilya Protas, LW – Washington Capitals

When the Capitals drafted Alexei Protas’ younger brother in the third round, it might have appeared to be a pick motivated by nepotism. Then Ilya moved from the USHL to the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires and had a breakout season to the tune of 50 goals, and 124 points (second in OHL scoring) and now looks like a steal of a third-round pick. Since he was drafted from the USHL, he can move up to the AHL for the coming season and further his development. Look for the Protas brothers to be a force in the Nations capital for the foreseeable future.

10 - Tij Iginla, LW – Utah Mammoth

The first pick in Utah’s franchise history, Iginla was on pace for a stellar D+1 season with 14 goals and 31 points in 21 games with Kelowna before a hip injury ended his season early. After surgery, the expectation is that he will return to Kelowna for an important season of development in the WHL, and with Canada at the WJC before he joins the NHL. Tij was drafted higher than his father, Hall-Of-Famer and Calgary legend Jarome Iginla, can Tij match his old mans career status?

11 - Porter Martone, RW – Philadelphia Flyers

Two things stand out with Martone: his dynamic offensive game and his size. However, for all you banger leaguers reading, don’t be fooled to think he is going to rack up hits and PIM’s as that is not really his game. He is a finesse playmaking winger. Martone has committed to take his development to Michigan State in the NCAA for his D+1 season in hopes that playing against older, stronger and better competition will make him NHL ready for the 2026-27 season.

12 - James Hagens, C – Boston Bruins

The consensus number one ranked prospect heading into the 2025 draft was Hagens. He played his draft year in the NCAA with Boston College and despite posting solid numbers as a freshman, he was unable to keep pace with Macklin Celebrinis’ pace from the previous season, and he fell on draft day to the Bruins. It is quite possible that Hagens ends up being the best fantasy prospect from his draft class, but he will return for at least one more year in the NCAA. Look for a spike in his production and for him to challenge for a Hoby Baker nomination.

13 - Cayden Lindstrom, C – Columbus Blue Jackets

Lindstrom is a unicorn as a 6-foot-4, 214-pound center that scored 46 goals and 46 points in 32 games with Medicine Hat in his draft year. He combines skill, skating, smarts, and size in such a rare and dominant package. A well documented herniated disc back injury that ended his draft season after 32 games and all but eliminated his D+1 season minus a few playoff, and Memorial Cup games is the other side of his story. Lindstrom will play the coming season in the NCAA with Michigan State where he will try to regain his health, conditioning and further his development. If he can realize his massive potential, he has franchise upside and would be a dominant player in multi-category leagues. Or, he could have a set back from his back injury and follow Nolan Patrick’s career path. High risk, but high reward potential.

14 - Arseni Gritsyuk, RW – New Jersey Devils

Gritsyuk may be a sleeper prospect, but don’t sleep on the Russian sniper. He is coming in hot from the KHL where he posted 17 goals and 44-points in 49 games. While he was only a fifth-round pick from the 2019, the now 24-year-old is NHL ready and will step into a top six role in New Jersey. He may not have the same offensive upside as some of the players in the range of his ranking but given his advanced development the wait time is zero, which moves the needle.

15 - Dalibor Dvorsky, C – St. Louis Blues

The AHL can be a meatgrinder that chews up and spits out teenage hockey prospects. Despite that, Dvorsky played last year as a 19-year-old and posted 21 goals and 45 points in 61 games with Springfield and was second in league rookie scoring. Dvorsky also shone at the WJC last year with Slovakia, scoring nine points in just five games. His play earned him an NHL cup of coffee, two games but he failed to record any points playing limited minutes. Dvorsky still needs more AHL development, but his promising development suggests the 10^th overall pick from the 2023 draft is well on his way to becoming an NHL regular and a fantasy must own player.

16 - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW – Vancouver Canucks

His first full season in North America was a success as the Canucks 2022 15^th overall pick split time between the NHL and Abbotsford in the AHL. In the AHL he posted 28 points in 36 games and another seven in 16 playoff games en route to a Calder Cup Championship. In his 24 NHL games the Swedish winger posted six points while averaging 12:30 of ice time. Expect him to be a full time NHL player this year and to see elevated minutes, leading to numbers similar to what he produced in the AHL.

17 - Brad Nadeau, RW – Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes must feel like the drafted a top ten player with their 30^th overall pick from 2023. As a freshman in his D+1 season at University of Maine, Nadeau posted 19 goals and 46 points in 37 games. He followed up that with an impressive rookie season in the AHL to the tune of 32 goals and 58 points in 64 games with the Chicago Wolves. His underwhelming production at the WJC with Canada was curious, but the entire team underwhelmed. Nadeau made his NHL debut on April 16^th and earned his first career point against Montreal. Look for his sophomore season to see more NHL opportunities as he plays his way into a top six role with the Canes.

18 - Anton Frondell, C – Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted third overall by the Hawks in 2025, the Swedish center brings size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, a high-level hockey sense, and skill level to his game. He would be better slotted as a second line center at the NHL level as his two-way game is more his calling card as opposed to a go-to offensive driver. The 18-year-old will likely play two more seasons in the SHL before crossing over to North America, meaning a little more wait time and a limited offensive ceiling compared to his draft status.

19 - Danila Yurov, RW – Minnesota Wild

The 21-year-old Russian saw his production dip from 0.79 to 0.54 points per game in the final year of his KHL contract. Despite the disappointing production, with 209 career KHL games of development he has signed with the Wild and will play in North America to the delight of fantasy managers who roster Yurov. With Yakov Trenin, Vlad Tarasenko, and Kirill Kaprizov providing some fellow Russian support, he should adjust quickly and could play his way into a top six role sooner than later.

20 - Caleb Desnoyers, C – Utah Mammoth

Desnoyers could be the most underrated player in the 2025 draft, which says a lot sine he was selected fourth overall. A 6-foot-2 center Desnoyers has excellent hockey sense, size, skating, skill and compete. He has played a key role and produced all season starting with a point per game to lead Canada to Gold at the Hlinka. He was the first line center for Team CHL at the Prospects Challenge and was a point per game again. With his club team in Moncton, he posted 84-points in 56 games and lead the Wildcats in playoff scoring with 30-points in 19 games to be named playoff MVP, and a league championship. He is the best two-way player, and that takes nothing away from his offensive game.

21 - Rutger McGroarty, C – Pittsburgh Penguins

After being acquired from the Jets for Brayden Yager, McGroarty made his pro debut and impressed, splitting time between the NHL and AHL. In Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he played 60 games, notching 14 goals and 39 points. While he only played in eight NHL games, he impressed with three points, playing a physical game as well showing he can have an impact away from the puck. With the Pens looking to rebuild, he is a corner stone player going forward, starting now.

22 - Quentin Musty, RW – San Jose Sharks

Musty had a frustrating season. It began by holding out for a trade from Sudbury in the OHL. A deal never happened so he resumed playing and scored 59 points in 33 games before an injury put him on the shelf until the playoffs. He returned for game two but despite four points, the Wolves were swept in four by Kingston. He will turn pro now and play his rookie season in the AHL. The 6-foot-2 winger has size and played a power game at the OHL; he could be an impactful top six winger with his size and shot.

23 - Calum Ritchie, C – New York Islanders

When the Islanders acquired Ritchie at the NHL trade deadline, he instantly became their top prospect. Ritchie started the season in the NHL with the Avalanche where he played seven games and scored his first career goal with his signature shootout move (a spectacular deke as he fakes the shoot like he fanned then quickly backhands it home). He returned to the Oshawa Generals where he dominated with 70 points and 50 PIM in 47 games and led the Generals back to a league championship rematch vs London. Ritchie should be a regular on Long Island this fall.

24 - Matthew Savoie, RW – Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers added Savoie in a trade with Buffalo, and he instantly became the Oilers top prospect. Savoie is an undersized forward at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds but he is also a prolific offensive player. He posted some hefty point totals in the WHL and in his first full pro season, he scored 19 goals and 54 points in 66 games in Bakersfield. He made his debut in Edmonton as well, playing in four games and recorded his first career point. He has the skill to play and produce in the NHL, but size is a concern.

25 - Igor Chernyshov, LW – San Jose Sharks

The big Russian winger made the move to North America after the Sharks selected him with the first pick of round two in the 2024 NHL Draft. His debut was delayed following an off-season shoulder surgery, but when he resumed playing with Saginaw in the OHL he dominated with 19 goals and 55 points in just 23 games. Saginaw was eliminated in the first round, and he was called up to play two AHL games with the Barracuda. It is expected he will play the coming season in the AHL, to further his development, but he has NHL top six winger upside with his size, skating and shooting ability.

26 - Easton Cowan, C – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leaf's top prospect is poised to bring his game to the NHL for the coming season. In his final year in the OHL with the London Knights, Cowan led the OHL in playoff scoring (39-points in 17 games), added a second straight league championship, and led the Memorial Cup in soring to lead the Knights to victory. He is slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds but he plays a physical game to complement his dynamic skill and vision.

27 - Andrew Cristall, LW – Washington Capitals

A true boom-or-bust player. Cristall is as dynamic an offensive player as you will find. His career WHL point production is off the chart with 412 points in 248 games (1.66 points per game). He finished his WHL career with Spokane in the playoffs where he scored 21 goals and 41 points in 19 games. How could such a dominant player be a bust? He is just 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds as the NHL trends towards size again. Also, his defensive game and compete level is a liability. These factors kept him off the Canada WJC roster. If he plays in the NHL, he will be great, but there have been plenty of prolific junior scorers that never made the NHL.

28 - Cole Eiserman, RW – New York Islanders

“Goal” Eiserman is a polarizing player. His offensive upside is significant. He is the all-time NTDP goal scoring leader, was a key player for USA winning Gold at the 2025 WJC with seven points. As a freshman at Boston University, he scored 25 goals and 36 points in 39 games. His play away from the puck is where scouts have concerns with his game. Eiserman will return for his sophomore season with the Terriers where he will continue to score goals, and more importantly develop his overall game.

29 - Jake O’Brien, C – Seattle Kraken

Perhaps the player from the 2025 draft class with the most upside is O’Brien. The 6-foot-2 center has tremendous vision and hockey sense, a late June birthday means he has plenty of development road head where his potential can grow. While his physical game is lacking as his slender 176-pound frame needs to fill out, there are very few flaws in his game overall.

30 - Liam Ohgren, LW – Minnesota Wild

Ohgren made his North American debut last season and had a tremendously successful rookie season in the AHL scoring 37 points in 41 games on a poor Iowa Wild team. His play earned him an NHL audition of 24 games, but he was limited to an average of 11:06 in ice time and only managed five points. Ohgren should be ready for a bigger role in Minnesota, and his point production should increase with more playing time.

Defence

1 - Zayne Parekh, RD – Calgary Flames

Parekh dominated the OHL in his draft year and then returned for his D+1 season and posted 33 goals, 107 points and 96 PIM. He was an egregious omission from the Team Canada WJC roster and made his NHL debut on April 17^th scoring his first career NHL goal in a 5-1 win over LA. Parekh is still junior eligible as a 19-year-old but is almost assured to be a full time NHL player this season. It should not take long for him to secure a top four pairing and first power play role in Calgary. Parekh could have a similar rookie season as Lane Hutson had and be a Calder candidate.

2 - Cole Hutson, LD - Washington Capitals

Hutson 2.0 is a similar player to his older brother Lane. Cole is developing in the NCAA at Boston University and posted 48 points in 39 games in his freshman season. His real breakout however was on the World stage with USA at the WJC where he led the tournament in scoring with 11 points in seven games. Cole has another season with the Terriers coming up before he is ready to join the Capitals in the NHL. When he arrives, it is not out of the question for him to have the same impact Lane Hutson had, or even better.

3 - Matthew Schaefer, LD – New York Islanders

The top pick from the 2025 Draft class has signed with the Islanders, and all signs point towards him making the Islanders out of training camp and becoming an NHL rookie. A shoulder injury limited him to just 17 games in Erie last season, so a return to the OHL would not be the worst scenario for his long-term development.

4 - Zeev Buium, LD – Minnesota Wild

All Buium does is win. At 19-years-old his trophy case already includes a World Championship, an NCAA Championship, two WJC Golds and a U-18 Gold. Buium made his NHL debut in the playoffs and recorded his first career point playing in four games. Buium is not only a lock to make the Wild roster, but he should also be a top pairing impact player right out of the gate.

5 - Alexander Nikishin, LD – Carolina Hurricanes

The 23-year-old Russian blueliner has been one of the most anticipated players to come from the KHL for several years. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound defender captained SKA St. Petersburg for two seasons and posted career KHL stats of 54 goals and 177 points in 288 games. He has signed in Carolina and made his NHL debut in the playoffs, earning his first career point in four games. He will have to compete with Shane Gostisbehere and K’Andre Miller for top power play deployment but count on Nikishin playing big minutes in his rookie season.

6 - Artyom Levshunov, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

The 2024 second overall pick only played 18 NHL games in his rookie season, but as a 19-year-old he produced 22 points in 52 AHL games with Rockford. Can he breakout as the Hawks top pairing and first power play quarterback in his sophomore season? He will have to outplay Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski to do so, but it is a real possibility as soon as this fall.

7 - Luca Cagnoni, LD – San Jose Sharks

All Cagnoni is missing to be ranked higher is size and draft pedigree. At 5-foot-9 he comes up short by todays NHL standards, and as a fourth-round pick, he lacks the golden ticket first round picks get. However, his on-ice production speaks volumes, scoring 16 goals and 52 points in 64 games as a AHL rookie with the Barracuda. Cagnoni is the future first power play quarterback in San Jose on a unit that will include Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa. Cagnoni could be a fantasy beast!

8 - Sam Dickinson, LD – San Jose Sharks

Where will Dickinson play in the 2025-26 season? He posted 91 points in 55 games, won a second consecutive OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup Championship. He has another year of junior eligibility remaining, so the AHL is not an option, but has signed an NHL contract so the NCAA is not an option either. He has nothing left to learn in the OHL, so he looks ready to make the jump to the NHL.

9 - Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RD – Detroit Red Wings

ASP is a rising star and the Wings top prospect. The 5-foot-11 right shot defender has tremendous poise on the ice, sees the ice very well, carries the puck and dictates the play with authority. After a solid SHL career of 52 points in 107 games including an SHL Championship, he made his debut in the AHL to close the season. A full year of AHL development is to be expected under GM Steve Yzerman, but a future blueline anchored by Mo Seider, Simon Edvinsson and ASP sets up the Red Wings for a decade.

10 - Tristan Luneau, RD – Anaheim Ducks

After injury limited Luneau to just 13 combined AHL and NHL games in his rookie season, he returned in 2024-25 to post near point per game production with the Gulls with 52 points in 59 games. The 6-foot-1 right shot offensive defenceman has great upside, but he also has his work cut out for him to crack the Ducks top four with competition the likes of Jacob Trouba, Jackson Lacombe, Olen Zellweger, and Pavel Mintyukov.

11 - Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Ottawa Senators

There were a lot of skeptics when Ottawa selected the 6-foot-4 right shot offensive defenceman at seven ahead of Zayne Parekh, Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson at the ’24 Draft. A lot of those critics were silenced when Yakemchuk nearly made the Sens roster after a tremendous preseason performance. He was returned to the WHL for his senior year and was slightly underwhelming seeing his point totals dip and failing to be make the Canadian WJC roster. His pro career will begin, likely in Belleville for a season before assuming the top pairing role on the right side in Ottawa next to Jake Sanderson.

12 - Sam Rinzel, RD – Chicago Blackhawks

Rinzel had a breakout season in 2024-25. It was not just his 10-goal, 32-point performance as a sophomore at University of Minnesota, but his nine game NHL audition in which he averaged over 23 minutes of ice time including an average of 2:24 powerplay time on ice where he delivered five points. The 21-year-old is the early favorite to be the first power play quarterback heading into the upcoming season. Don’t sleep on Rinzel, he has some big upside.

13 - Seamus Casey, RD – New Jersey Devils

The 5-foot-10 right shot offensive defenceman had a strong rookie season starting in the NHL with an eight-game run with the Devils where he posted three goals before an AHL assignment. Overall, he racked up 18 points in 30 AHL games and finished the season back in the NHL with New Jersey. With Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemic in the fold, getting ice time, let alone power play time will be difficult barring injury.

14 - Scott Morrow, RD – New York Rangers

Acquired from Carolina along with a first and second round pick in the K’Andre Miller trade, Morrow could fill the gap from Miller out of camp behind Adam Fox on the Rangers second pairing. Morrow had a strong rookie season the year prior posting 39 points in 52 games with the Chicago Wolves and had a 14-game NHL run with the Hurricanes scoring six points.

15 - Logan Mailloux, RD – St. Louis Blues

Acquired from Montreal for Zac Bolduc this summer, Mailloux is now the top defensive prospect in the Blues system. Mailloux is NHL ready after a second AHL campaign with 80 points and 165 PIM in 135 career games, and five points in eight career NHL games. Mailloux will no longer be considered a prospect as he will make the Blues roster full time, and battle Justin Faulk and Cam Fowler for top power play deployment.

16 - David Reinbacher, RD – Montreal Canadiens

The 6-foot-2 Austrian defender made a splash in his AHL debut in 2023-24 when he posted five points in the final 11 games in Laval. Injuries kept him out of action until he returned for the Olympics with Austria and finished the season again in the AHL with Laval. His six points in 13 playoff games with the Rocket are promising but a nearly full season lost to injury suggest he may need a time in the AHL before he is ready for Montreal. The departure of Logan Mailloux improves his stature in Montreal.

17 - Oliver Bonk, RD – Philadelphia Flyers

Widely considered to be a shutdown defender, a red flag in fantasy, Bonk has considerable fantasy value. At 6-foot-2 he has decent size and can play a physical role and contribute hits and blocks. But he has also contributed significant offensive numbers with 150 career regular season points in 189 games with the London Knights. Bonk was deployed as the net front presence on the power play regularly with London and was tried as the first powerplay quarterback for Canada at the WJC. His pro career will begin with a season in the AHL with Lehigh Valley before he becomes a top four NHL regular.

18 - Tanner Molendyk, LD – Nashville Predators

Nashville has a strong track record of drafting and developing top quality NHL defencemen. Tanner Molendyk is the latest and he nearly made the Predators out of training camp last year before returning for his final year in the WHL. He was a point per game player with Saskatoon and Medicine Hat and at the Memorial Cup. Molendyk will be an AHL rookie this season, but it likely won’t be long before he is patrolling the Predators blueline in a top four capacity.

19 - Hunter Brzustewicz, RD – Calgary Flames

His fantasy value took a big hit when the Flames drafted Zayne Parekh. Brzustewicz is an offensive defenceman that posted a 92-point season in the OHL, and in his AHL rookie campaign last year impressed with five goals and 32 points in 70 games with the Wranglers. Brzustewicz was a key piece in return from the Elias Lindholm trade so the Flames are invested, he has great offensive and fantasy upside, but the Parekh addition will take some of that critical power play ice time up.

20 - Tom Willander, RD – Vancouver Canucks

After two seasons in the shadow of a Hutson with the Boston University Terriers, Willander may be an underrated fantasy defenceman. With all the top offensive deployment at BU going to the Hutson’s, lane and Cole, Willander still managed to produce 49 points in 77 career games with the Terriers. His play with Sweden at the WJC was impressive as well with five points in seven games. Willander is a strong skating, puck moving two-way defender with offensive upside. Willander was signed by the Canucks and will start his professional career in the AHL with defending Calder Cup Champions Abbotsford.

Goalies

1 - Yaroslav Askarov – San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are building something special and Askarov should be a key piece of that puzzle. A top ranked goalie prospect for years, the move from Nashville and out from under Juuse Saros, gives Askarov has the opportunity to seize a starting role in San Jose. With the young core and foundations now in place, it’s just a short matter of time before this team becomes a powerhouse, and Askarov is a fantasy star.

2 - Jesper Wallstedt – Minnesota Wild

There is no sugar coating this, Wallstedt had a terrible season posting brutal numbers in both the AHL, and NHL in his third season in North America. Despite the setback, Wallstedt remains an elite goalie prospect and with the Wild building a defence that consist of Brock Faber, Zeev Buium, and David Jiricek the future still remains very bright.

3 - Jacob Fowler – Montreal Canadiens

It is difficult to understand how Fowler was not the top goalie selected in his draft year. Five other goalies went before he was selected 69^th overall in the third round of the 2023 NHL Draft. Since then, he has established himself as an elite prospect playing at Boston College in the NCAA. Fowler has won a WJC Gold Medal with USA, a Hockey East Championship, and was named the Goalie of the Year winning the Mike Richter Award. Fowler is trending to be the next great Montreal Canadiens goalie following the likes of Ken Dryden, Patrick, Roy and Carey Price.

4 - Ilya Nabokov – Colorado Avalanche

A late bloomer, Nabokov was drafted in 2024 by the Avalanche after a breakout season in the KHL as a 21-year-old, where Nabokov won a Gagarian Cup and playoff MVP. Nabokov has signed his ELC with Colorado but has been loaned back to play the 2025-26 season in the KHL to ensure he gets playing time. Expect him to finish the season in the AHL as the KHL season ends in March, allowing him a small sample of North American hockey before being full time in 2026-27.

5 - Sebastian Cossa – Detroit Red Wings

The Wings 2021 15^th overall draft pick has now played three full seasons of professional hockey with time in the ECHL, AHL, and he made his NHL debut in December with a 6-foot-5 shootout win over Buffalo. The past two seasons have been consistent and strong for Cossa, playing 40+ games in Grand Rapids and posting 20+ wins. The addition of John Gibson suggests that Detroit thinks he needs a little more development before he becomes their starting goalie.

6 - Drew Commesso – Chicago Blackhawks

On last years list I suggested Commesso was on track to develop into the Hawks starting goalie for the Connor Bedard glory years. Since then, the Hawks acquired Spencer Knight, and he appears to be the incumbent franchise goalie for the foreseeable future. Commesso had another impressive year of development in the AHL and is still quite capable of being an NHL starting goalie. Where and when are less certain now.

7 - Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings added insulation to their goaltending future when they selected Augustine 41^st overall in 2023. Since then, he has been developing with Michigan State U. in the NCAA with a career record of 42-16-6, two Big Ten Championships and two WJC Gold Medals with USA. Augustine will play his junior season with the Spartans and will also need some AHL development time. He is further away than Cossa, but his upside could be higher.

8 - Niklas Kokko – Seattle Kraken

Kokko made his North American debut last season, and it was a strong one posting a 20-10-2 record in the AHL with a 2.26 GAA and .913 SV%. His strong play earned him an NHL recall, and he had a rough start coming in to relieve Joey Daccord in a 7-2 loss to the Blues where he allowed two goals on six shots. With Grubauer and Daccord under contract for the next two seasons, the 21-year-old Finnish netminder can continue to develop in the AHL with Coachella. He is a prospect on the rise.

9 - Mikhail Yegorov – New Jersey Devils

The Devils selected the Russian goalie from the USHL with their second-round pick in 2024 and Yegorov started his D+1 season back in the USHL with Omaha. Committed to Boston University in the NCAA, the Terriers were having goaltending concerns and brought “Big Mike” in just in time for the Bean Pot Tournament where he was outstanding leading the Terriers to victory. Yegorov played in 18 games total with an 11-6-1 record and 2.15 GAA. Still only 19-years-old, the 6-foot-5 netminder is a long way from the NHL, but he is showing tremendous potential.

10 - Hampton Slukynsky – Los Angeles Kings

Perhaps Slukynsky is still a little under the radar and not quite a household name in less deep dynasty leagues, but that is about to change. Selected 118^th overall by the Kings, Slukynsky posted a 19-5-1 record as a freshman at Western Michigan and a sparkling 1.90 GAA. His trophy case includes USHL Goalie of the Year, Championships from the USHL, NCAA National and NCHC, and Gold Medals with USA from the U-18, WJC and World Championship. He is still just 20-years-old and needs a lot of development time before the NHL, but his stock is rising fast!

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

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Philadelphia 25 Prospects

CHL NOTEBOOK: Playoff Storylines to Watch

Kyle Watson — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 21:52:38 +0000

2025 NHL Draft prospect Caleb Desnoyers (David St. Louis), Centreman Brayden Yager (Lethbridge Hurricanes), and London Knights winger Blake Montgomery (Morgan Roobroeck / Wild Ave Photography)

Most CHL teams compete in two to three-year cycles when they draft and develop well enough to make championship runs. As a result, you see star NHL prospects, team captains, and future junior hockey stars on the move nearly every winter.

For the average NHL fan, keeping track of all the new faces in new places can be difficult, especially the younger players being traded as futures. The season is more eventful than usual with the NCAA-CHL ruling and the new prospect showcase games. The second half of the campaign is when things kick into full gear. Once the trade deadline ends, the skill gap between teams greatly widens, and coaches prioritize either winning now or in a season or two.

This article, and this notebook series in general, seeks to help the casual fan navigate the constantly evolving landscape of junior hockey. With the CHL playoffs underway, here is a look at which teams can win their respective leagues' championships and join host Rimouski at the 2025 Memorial Cup.

Note: there are seven OHL teams, five from the WHL, and two from the QMJHL. This reflects how I feel this year's crop of talent stacks up. Despite the QMJHL winning four Memorial Cups in a row (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), there is a significant drop-off after the top two teams (Moncton, Rimouski)

Officially underway! #RoadtoMemorialCup pic.twitter.com/bAybFR7C7l

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 28, 2025

OHL Western Conference: Can anyone stop the Knights from repeating?

Playing with a chip on their shoulder after falling short in last year's Memorial Cup final, the London Knights (55-11-2-0) are in hot pursuit of a sixth OHL championship. The Hunter brothers' perennial powerhouse roster boasts 12 NHL-affiliated prospects—the most of any in the their 25 years of ownership—including first-round picks Sam Dickinson, Oliver Bonk, Easton Cowan, and Sam O'Reilly. Winning the Hamilton Spectator Trophy as regular season champions seemed like a foregone conclusion all year for London: their .824 winning percentage is the second-highest mark in franchise history, only bested by the 2004-05 group named the CHL Team of the Century.

The Knights returned 10 forwards from the group that swept Oshawa in the OHL Championship last season. Team Finland forward Jesse Nurmi joined from Liiga (Fin-1) this summer, reuniting with international teammate Kasper Halttunen. Senators pick Blake Montgomery's quick adjustment in London has been a revelation for the Knights. Departing USHL Lincoln in November, the University of Wisconsin commit scored 16 goals and 30 points in a 15-game stretch on either side of the WJC.

Blake Montgomery mix #GoSensGo

Since he arrived in London in November, the Sens prospect's performances have been a revelation for the Knights.

— 16 G in his last 16 GP
— TOTAL: 23 GP, 17 G, 32 PTS, +25, 62 SOG pic.twitter.com/XQXX3YdS9x

— Kyle Watson (@kyle_nw) January 13, 2025

London has a deep and versatile D corps comprising Team Canada's Dickinson and Bonk, Kings prospect Jared Woolley, Capitals pick Cam Allen and draft-eligible Henry Brzustewicz. An impressive 71 of the Knights' league-leading 313 goals have come from the backend (22.7%). Dickinson has evolved into one of the premier rearguards outside the NHL: the Sharks' first-rounder's 91 points this year are the most by a defenceman in a single season in franchise history.

They have two capable goaltenders in OA Austin Elliott and 17-year-old Alexei Medvedev. Elliott enters the playoffs with a sparkling 32-1-0-0 record and led the league with a 2.10 GAA and .924 SV%. Medvedev has been relied on heavily in big games and could be the starter in the playoffs despite being one of the youngest players available at the 2025 NHL Draft. Scouts are impressed with the rookie's command of the crease and 6-3, 180-pound frame.

The Windsor Spitfires (45-17-4-2) achieved the biggest turnaround in franchise history, improving from 44 points to 96 to claim their third West Division title in four seasons. Led by the two-headed monster of Liam Greentree and Ilya Protas, Windsor is a heavy forechecking machine. Protas' 124 points tie him with Wyatt Johnston for the fourth-greatest single-season total in franchise history. Greentree is close behind in seventh place with 119.

Windsor's quick turnaround was accelerated by them winning the draft lottery. The first overall pick in the 2024 OHL Draft, Ethan Belchetz, has made an immediate impact with 17 goals and 38 points through 56 games. The 6-5, 226-pound winger is one of many weapons in the Spitfires' deep arsenal of forwards.

Ethan Belchetz (Tim Cornett/OHL Images)

I have concerns about a lack of playoff experience on this roster and problems on the backend. Beyond OA forward Ryan Abraham, only three players on the roster have won a playoff series: Wyatt Kennedy, Tnias Mathurin, and Owen Outwater—all while playing in North Bay. 19-year-old Anthony Cristoforo has begun to display the abilities that made him an OHL first-round pick in 2022, leading the defence with 12 goals and 61 points. However, I'm worried about the rest of the corps' puck-moving ability. Starter Joey Costanzo has 75 career wins but is yet to earn his first postseason victory.

The Kitchener Rangers (47-15-4-2) are an impressive team under Head Coach Jussi Ahokas. The Finnish bench boss has his group playing structured, disciplined hockey. With the fourth-youngest roster in the league, they have plenty of energy to suffocate opponents with their checking. Only London conceded fewer goals than the Rangers' 183. After being written off as a rebuilding group heading into the season, Kitchener reached the 100-point mark for the fourth time in history. Much of their success can be attributed to the play of OA goaltender Jackson Parsons. The 20-year-old led the league with 37 wins and five shutouts.

No OHL team immediately benefitted from the NCAA-CHL rulings more than Kitchener. Boston University commit Jack Pridham finished with 27 goals and 54 points in 48 games, arriving from the BCHL in November. Since departing the University of Michigan in January, Christian Humphreys has assumed the 1C role between vets Adrian Misaljevic and Trent Swick.

Cameron Reid has blossomed into one of the league's best puck-moving rearguards: second among all CHL draft-eligible defencemen with 52 points. Fellow draft eligibles Luca Romano and Tanner Lam stepped into top-six roles this season. The trio form one of the CHL's strongest young cores. GM Mike McKenzie has done well in helping this team succeed in the present with the future in mind. With Ahokas and his coaching staff recently extending their contracts through the 2026-27 season, the Rangers may have a bid for the 2027 Memorial Cup in their sights.

OHL Eastern Conference: Who is the real favourite?

As they surged to the top of the Eastern Conference in the second half, leading scorer Nick Lardis rewrote the Brantford Bulldogs' history books. The Blackhawks' 2023 third round pick's 71 goals in 65 games are the most in a single OHL season since John Tavares scored 72 in 2006-07 (and the sixth most in history). The high-flying winger also tied Eric Lindros for the most game-winning goals (16) and set franchise records in goals and points (116).

All 70 Goals Nick Lardis has scored from his record breaking year! #Blackhawks fans I present @OHLHockey superstar @NickLardis91 pic.twitter.com/JuxWFci37B

— The Prospect Don (@IceLevelIntel) March 9, 2025

Brantford possesses the league's top powerplay, clicking at 28.2%, and it's easy to see why. Veteran puck-moving defenceman Tomas Hamara anchors the top unit, with projected lottery pick Jake O'Brien and Lardis on either half-wall. O'Brien's 41 powerplay assists were the most in the OHL. 2022 OHL Champion Patrick Thomas, one of the premier playmakers in junior hockey, operates in the bumper spot, and Devils prospect Cole Brown has flourished as a net-front scorer. The 19-year-old winger nearly doubled his career mark of 17 goals, scoring 33 times (11 on the man advantage).

With just five regulation losses this calendar year and arguably the hottest prospect in the CHL, Head coach Jay McKee is well-positioned to lead his team to another deep playoff push. However, they are arguably better situated to make a run next season, considering their strong core of '06s. 2024 NHL first-round picks Marek Vanacker and Adam Jiříček will return as 19-year-olds, as will Habs prospect Owen Protz and goaltenders Ryerson Leenders and David Egorov. I wouldn't be surprised if O'Brien immediately breaks Lardis's single-season points record in 2025-26.

Barrie Colts' Head Coach/GM Marty Williamson's phone has been buzzing all season. The 61-year-old made a statement of intent when he traded for Stars prospects Brad Gardiner and Tristan Bertucci and OA pivot Dalyn Wakely early in the campaign. The core of the team, led by '06s Cole Beaudoin, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Riley Patterson, was expanded in the summer with the additions of import picks Gabriel Eliasson and Emil Hemming.

Thus, it was no surprise when Williamson reunited Wakely with his veteran teammates from North Bay, Anthony Romani and Owen Van Steensel, at the deadline. They formed one of the top lines in junior hockey last season for the Battalion, combining for 301 points in 68 games.

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A post shared by Barrie Colts (@barriecoltshockeyohl)

The Colts had an adjustment period with so many new faces in town, but this roster is tailor-made for the postseason. It's an experienced group with plenty of size and experience, built from the back out with two strong goaltenders in Sam Hillebrandt and Ben Hrebik. Perhaps no player embodies the Colts' style of play more than Aitcheson, our 16th-ranked prospect for the upcoming draft. The draft-eligible defender plays a hard-nosed, physical game and brings 110% every night. He's the first OHL rearguard since Evan Bouchard to score four overtime goals in a single season.

Not only is this Aitcheson's fourth overtime game-winner of the season, that's now six GWGs overall, which is tops among all OHL defenders

C-l-u-t-c-h https://t.co/hwmpQvzWu6

— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) February 28, 2025

The Kingston Frontenacs were the busiest OHL team at the deadline, aggressively pursuing their first Eastern Conference title. They moved 20 picks (as well as NHL Draft prospects Xander Vellaris and Ethan Weir) to add Joey Willis, Ethan Hay, and Will Bishop from the Saginaw Spirit and overage goaltender Charlie Schenkel from the Soo Greyhounds. The number of assets they gave up surprised some, but the franchise just celebrated its 50th anniversary season. You can't blame them for throwing down the gauntlet. Their 40-20-5-3 record is their best finish since Shane Wright's draft season (2021-22).

The three Saginaw '05s bring championship pedigree and fortify a strong veteran group in Kingston. Flames' 2024 second-round pick Jacob Battaglia could prove to be an X factor in the postseason: The rangy winger has looked fantastic on a line with overage centerman Cédrick Guindon and WJC silver medallist Tuomas Uronen. They've been one of the top trios in the league this campaign, with Battaglia and Uronen finishing T-10th in scoring with 90 points.

THAT'S 30 FOR BATES#Flames | @NHLFlames | @OHLHockey https://t.co/TlP5yTMYdR pic.twitter.com/UEqmEPTUK4

— Kingston Frontenacs (@KingstonFronts) February 2, 2025

Though the Fronts may lack true star talent, GM Kory Cooper has assembled a deep, experienced group that will be difficult to face in a seven-game series. They had a 21-9-0-1 record after reinforcements arrived in January.

There is a strong chance the Knights and the Oshawa Generals will meet in the finals for the second year running. Oshawa is the only team in the CHL besides London with four NHL first-round picks. Blue-chippers Calum Ritchie, Beckett Sennecke, Ben Danford, and Colby Barlow lead a squad that features reigning OHL Goaltender of the Year Jacob Oster.

They bolstered their blueline at the deadline by acquiring Andrew Gibson from the Soo Greyhounds. The Predators prospect, who played on Team Canada's first pairing at the World Juniors, is one of the toughest defencemen to face in the league. Between Gibson, Danford, and Blue Jackets' prospect Luca Marrelli, the Gens give the Knights blueline a run for their money as the league's best. It's a bit of a throwback-style group that won't give you an inch of breathing room in their zone. Marrelli, in particular, has been excellent this season. Kicking off the campaign with nine goals and 23 points in his first 16 contests, the Toronto native has blossomed into one of the CHL's premier two-way defencemen.

Oshawa's offence is nothing to snuff at. Ritchie and Sennecke are exceptionally talented and well-rounded forwards, among the top five in the 'O' for points per game. Barlow, the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, endured some growing pains when Ritchie and Sennecke were out of the lineup in the fall. The Jets prospect went scoreless in his first six games of the campaign and was cut from Team Canada's World Junior squad despite scoring 40+ goals the two seasons prior. He is slowly finding his scoring touch as the Gens settle into playoff mode. At his best, Barlow is a goal-scoring threat from any range who can play tough matchups and kill penalties. Oshawa will need him to be should they challenge for a league-leading 14th championship.

WHL Western Conference: A Battle Between American Heavyweights

Landon Dupont is here, and he's the real deal. The WHL's second-ever recipient of exceptional status has rapidly transitioned to life in major junior hockey. The 15-year-old enjoyed the sixth-most productive season by a U17 defenceman in league history, tallying 17 goals and 60 points in 64 contests. It's not just the points, either. Dupont has shown strong defensive awareness and a relentless checking game thus far, mature beyond his years one-on-one.

What's unique about Dupont is that he's playing on the best team in the league — most exceptional-status talents join rebuilding groups. In January 2023, the Everett Silvertips (48-12-4-4) acquired what turned out to be the 2024 first-overall pick from Kamloops in the Olen Zellweger trade, using it to select the Calgary, Alta. native. Under the tutelage of new Head coach Steve Hamilton, Everett secured the Scott Munro Memorial Trophy as regular season champions, boasting a league-best +98 goal differential.

The 'Tips will have to battle through the playoffs without leading scorer Carter Bear, who suffered a season-ending injury in a game on March 7th. Bear is the 18th draft-eligible skater to reach the 40-goal plateau in the WHL since 2000. The return of former captain Austin Roest offsets the loss: the Predators prospect has spent the year with AHL Milwaukee completing injury rehab. World Junior silver medallist Julius Miettinen and overage forwards Tyler MacKenzie and Dominik Rymon round out the Everett offence, each scoring above a point-per-game pace.

Co-captains Kaden Hammell and Eric Jamieson lead a blueline that conceded a league-fewest 178 goals this campaign. Jesse Sanche has been dependable between the pipes, with a 23-9-2-0 record in his rookie season. 2025 eligible Raiden Legall has proved a stronger option since arriving from the MJHL in November. The Bemidji State commit finished 16-2-1-3 with a league-best .921 SV% and 2.17 GAA .

The Spokane Chiefs (45-20-1-2) landed the biggest fish available at the trade deadline, adding Kelowna Rockets maestro Andrew Cristall. The Capitals prospect's 2.32 points per game trail only Connor Bedard's draft year for the greatest single-season total in the 'W' this century. Cristall (22-50-72) and linemate Berkly Catton combined for an incredible 62 goals and 171 points across 29 contests together in Spokane.

The team's three overage players, Shea Van Olm, Brayden Crampton, and Rasmus Ekström, join Catton and Cristall in the team's top-five scoring leaders. Van Olm, in particular, has been excellent as the Chiefs' triggerman—the 20-year-old led the WHL with 49 goals (one more than Cristall).

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/kieron_walton_-_3rd_period_16_49_-_17_1.mp4

16-year-old Mathis Preston is enjoying a fruitful maiden campaign in Spokane. The nifty winger won gold at the 2024 World U17s in November and is among the top prospects eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft. Beyond Crampton, NHL prospects Sage Weinstein, William McIsaac and Nathan Mayes round out the rest of the D corps in front of veteran netminder Dawson Cowan.

WHL Eastern Conference: A Bloodbath in the Central Division

Spearheaded by the most profiled prospect in the sport, the Medicine Hat Tigers (47-17-3-1) have made a real push in the second half of the season to remain atop a stacked Central Division. Gavin McKenna's 2.30 points per game give him the most productive DY-1 season in the CHL since Sidney Crosby (2.29), scoring 41 goals and 129 points in 56 games. The Whitehorse, Yukon native finished the year on a 40-game point streak (32-68-100) and was left scoreless just three times.

Medicine Hat has assembled a championship-calibre team to ensure a deep postseason run for McKenna. GM/Head coach Willie Desjardins moved for a trio of '06 skaters in the offseason: Bryce Pickford, Jonas Woo, and Ryder Ritchie. Pickford led all Tigers defencemen with 47 points in 48 contests. His 20 goals tied him for the third-most of any WHL rearguard. Woo has been equally impressive, posting career totals in all categories. Ritchie, the Minnesota Wild prospect, is riding shotgun on the first line next to McKenna and captain Oaziz Wiesblatt. Finnish defencemen Veeti Väisänen (property of Utah) and Niilopekka Muhonen (Dallas) were recruited in the CHL Import Draft.

Fellow summer acquisition Matthew Ward centers a veteran second line between NHL prospects Hunter St. Martin and Andrew Basha. Both are multitalented, speedy wingers capable of playing on both special teams. St. Martin, the Panthers 2024 sixth-rounder, trailed only McKenna for the the team lead in goals (39), powerplay goals (9), and was first in shorthanded goals (7).

The news that McKenna could depart to the University of Michigan for his draft-eligible season was followed by Medicine Hat adding Predators first-round pick Tanner Molendyk and veteran shutdown forward Misha Volotovskii from Saskatoon. Molendyk, the Predators' 2023 first-round pick, is among the most talented defensemen outside the NHL.

Pretty stuff always finding its way off the sticks of Molendyk, McKenna and Wiesblatt @TigersHockey pic.twitter.com/V6SipHyLHM

— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 26, 2025

Trailing the Tigers by just two points in the Central are the Calgary Hitmen (45-17-3-3). Their blueline, headed by Carter Yakemchuk, could prove to be the league's premier group in the postseason. The 2024 seventh-overall pick continues to lead the Hitmen blueline in all offensive categories, with 16 goals and 44 points in 45 contests. Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio was acquired upon his return from representing Canada at the WJC and provides a terrific foil to Yakemchuk's high-octane offensive game. Reigning WHL Champion Kalem Parker and 6-5, 210-pound Flames pick Axel Hurtig round a group that conceded the second-fewest goals in the regular season (183).

Calgary's top line, comprised of draft-eligible centre Ben Kindel, Team Canada WJC forward Tanner Howe and veteran Oliver Tulk, is among the WHL's elite. Howe is a physical menace who can score beneath the dots and Tulk reached the century mark in points this season, finishing sixth in league scoring. Kindel, who ranks 18th in our latest 2025 NHL Draft rankings, is a crafty duel-threat scorer who makes up for a lack of size with an industrious checking game. The Coquitlam, B.C. native led all WHL draft-eligibles with 35 goals and 99 points.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes (42-21-3-2) added championship pedigree in December when they moved for Team Canada WJC captain Brayden Yager and 2005-born goaltender Jackson Unger. Yager, the Jets prospect, is among the league's top two-way pivots and leads an experienced forward group. Lethbridge further cemented their attack with the addition of OA centreman Jordan Gustafson. The Golden Knights prospect, who's battled injuries this season, had six goals and nine points in eight contests.

Brayden Yager (Lethbridge Hurricanes)

The Hurricanes blueline, headlined by captain Noah Chadwick, was also bolstered with the addition of Yager's WJC teammater, Caden Price.

QMJHL Playoffs: Will Moncton join Rimouski at the 2025 Memorial Cup?

In his first full season coaching at the major junior level, legendary University of New Brunswick bench boss Gardiner MacDougall has turned the Moncton Wildcats (53-9-2-0) into a powerhouse. They led the 'Q' in goals for (294) and goal differential (+150), and won their last 15 regular season games. With an .844 winning percentage, the QMJHL regular season champions finished as the top-ranked team in the CHL.

Centreman Caleb Desnoyers led the team with 35 goals and 84 points through 56 games, ranked sixth in our The 17-year-old is one of three players to win gold at the World U17s, U18s, and Hlinka-Gretzky Cup (along with Matthew Schaefer and Jack Ivankovic). Coming in at sixth in our March NHL Draft rankings, Desnoyers could boost his stock with another championship (or two) to his name.

Caleb Desnoyers (David St. Louis)

World Juniors standouts Juraj Pekarcik and Julius Sumpf flank Desonyers on the first line, with Alex Mercier, Vincent Collard and captain Markus Vidicek rounding out a veteran top six.

Flames prospect Étienne Morin conducts a big, physically imposing defence corps. At the deadline, they acquired defenceman Dyllan Gill and Mathis Rousseau, Canada's goalie at last year's WJC. Gill has excelled as a two-way threat since being assigned from AHL Syracuse. Rousseau will have to fight for the starting job: Red Wings prospect Rudy Guimond is a perfect 16-0 with a .940 SV% and 1.73 GAA since arriving as a free agent from USHL Cedar Rapids.

The Rimouski Oceanic (46-14-2-2) have been in fine form since the calendar turned: they're 23-4-2-1 in the new year. After adding reigning league MVP Mathieu Cataford in the summer, the Memorial Cup hosts traded for league-leading scorer Jonathan Fauchon, WJC standout Eriks Mateiko, and Victoriaville captain Maël Lavigne midseason.

Fauchon centers the top line between fellow overage Jacob Mathieu and Ducks prospect Alexandre Blais. Fauchon and Mathieu are second and fifth in the league for goals with 46 and 41, respectively. Blais has collected 53 helpers, operating as the playmaker. A second line comprised of Catatford, Mateiko, and Lavigne rounds out a stacked top six.

Flyers 2024 second-round pick Spencer Gill and OA Pier-Olivier Roy lead a big, physical blueline, alongside Panthers pick Luke Coughlin and Canucks prospect Basile Sansonnens. It's unclear whether 2025 NHL Draft prospect Mathis Langevin (12-6-1-0, .912%, 2.55) or 2026 eligible William Lacelle (27-5-1-2, .909%, 2.38), who leads the league in safve percentage, will start Game 1.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Finland’s OT heroics blow Group A wide open – Carter George remains perfect

Kyle Watson — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:46:30 +0000

OTTAWA - Tuomas Uronen did Team Canada a huge favour.

The Finnish forward's overtime winner, which carried his nation to victory over the United States, meant that Canada had only to win in regulation against Germany to tie the Americans for the top spot in Group A.

In a game of thin margins, the Vegas Golden Knights prospect's snapshot 1:46 into the extra frame slipped out of American goaltender Trey Augustine's glove and fell into the net behind him. The play ensued after a sequence of impressive saves at the other end from Finnish netminder Petteri Rimpinen:

THE HUGE SAVE ON ONE END, AND THE GAME WINNER ON THE OTHER!

FINLAND WINS 4-3 IN OVERTIME #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LIzmgHuFEN

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

The loss snapped a 10-game win streak for the Americans that spanned the last three tournaments.

Improving to a 1-1-0-1 record, Team Finland (5) is just two points behind the North American nations (7) in the standings.

Should Canada or the USA win in regulation on New Year's Eve, the Finns can take sole possession of second place with a victory over Latvia. Group A has effectively been blown wide open, with each team losing a game thus far.

Finns show fire, flash in overtime win over USA

After a pair of flat performances against Canada and Germany, the Finns showed up and showed out yesterday, outshooting Team USA by a margin of 44-33. They matched the Americans' pace, with each team enjoying extended periods of puck possession.

In a back-and-forth contest, both goaltenders were called upon heavily. Finland held a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame and peppered Augustine with 15 shots in the third. The Michigan State netminder held off the Finnish attack and Brodie Ziemer's tally 3:26 into the third period was enough to send the game to overtime.

Rimpinen, in particular, was excellent. The undrafted 2006-born netminder, who plays for Kiekko-Espoo in Liiga, earned himself the nickname "Mr. Showtime" from his teammates.

It was easily the most entertaining game of the tournament so far, setting up a much less enthralling matchup between Canada and Germany.

Carter George remains perfect, questions still surround Canada after uninspiring victory

Stopping 56/56 shots through two starts, Carter George has yet to put a foot wrong for Canada. The Thunder Bay, Ont. native has provided an uber-steady presence between the pipes.

"It's the best feeling in the world knowing that you've got probably the best goalie in this tournament, hands down," said Team Canada defenceman Oliver Bonk. "When you do mess up, he's got your back."

George becomes the first Canadian goaltender to post back-to-back shutouts since Devon Levi in 2021.

Back-to-back shutouts for @AttackOHL's Carter George! @LAKings prospect is perfect through two games at the #WorldJuniors as Canada blanks Germany 3-0 pic.twitter.com/1JEmvpp686

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 30, 2024

In George and Jack Ivankovic, the team has two rock-steady goaltenders — a luxury that every Canadian WJC coach dreams of — but it's not encouraging that they have been Team Canada's best players in games against Latvia and Germany.

As referenced in the broadcast, it took Canada two hours to score at five-on-five in two matchups that are usually games where forwards pad their stats. They lead all teams with 134 shots on net, but how many have been true high-danger chances?

Head coach Dave Cameron is confident the dam will burst soon.

“It was a solid performance, outside of the fact that we are a little snake-bitten on the offensive side of things," said Cameron after the match. "but it is not for a lack of effort or lack of quality play."

"We have been up against some really good goaltending so far, but we know we will break through," he added.

Despite earning an opportunity to top the group with a win against the USA, the tension surrounding Team Canada remains palpable. Perhaps lost in all the criticism: Canada has yet to concede at even strength and has the fewest goals against (three) in the tournament.

The real test starts on New Year's Eve. From here on out, there are no more "easy games."

Willander shines in barnburner between Sweden and Switzerland

In contrast to Group A, Czechia and Sweden lead Group B handily by six points, each with a perfect 3-0-0-0 record thus far.

The Swedes bested Switzerland by a score of 7-5, led by another strong showing from an offensively gifted defenceman. Tom Willander scored two mirror-image powerplay goals and Sweden took a 6-1 lead into the third period.

Tom Willander's seeing eye shot opens the scoring for Sweden!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/yIsovgfTQu

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

Tom Willander strikes again with a goal almost identical to his first-period tally, extending Sweden's lead to 5-1!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/oG6Df1oghq

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 29, 2024

They nearly imploded, letting the Swiss score four times on the man advantage in the final frame, holding on for the win. Head coach Magnus Havelid will certainly hammer down on a few areas of improvement for his players, but scoring is not one of them.

Are Czechia the real deal?

The Czechs were not expected to defend their bronze medal, with key figures such as captains Jiri Kulich, Tomas Hamara, and Matyas Sapovaliv aging out of eligibility. They lead the tournament in goals (23) and goal differential (+18) through three games, with Utah prospect Vojtech Hradec topping the scoring charts with four goals and seven points.

In our tournament preview, Assistant Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, identified Czech netminder Michael Hrabal (also a Utah pick) as a potential difference-maker.

"He's one of the best netminders in the tournament, capable of stealing games for them when he's on top of his game," said Neumeier.

Currently riding a .934 save percentage and 1.50 GAA, Hrabal hasn't been challenged much in his two starts. Against Team Sweden, the 19-year-old and Team Czechia have a chance to prove they aren't just here to feast on the weaker competition.

Parting Notes

The last time Finland defeated the U.S. was in the 2020 quarterfinals: recently acquired Nashville Predators netminder Justus Annunen posted a 30-save shutout in the 1-0 triumph
Team Canada forward Calum Ritchie (Oshawa, OHL) has a 100% goals-for percentage through three games: he's been on the ice for six of the team's nine goals
Recording a goal and two assists in the win, Team Sweden captain Axel Sandin-Pelikka (Skellefteå, SHL) sits second in tournament scoring (3GP, 4G, 7 PTS, +6)
Felix Unger Sörum (Chicago, AHL) had three assists for the Swedes
Forwards Leo Braillard (Lethbridge, WHL) and Kimo Gruber (GCK Lions, Swiss-2) each scored twice for Team Switzerland
Swiss defenceman Leon Muggli picked up three helpers in the loss

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: How Does Canada Win Without Schaefer?

Kyle Watson — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 17:39:09 +0000

_{Credit: Andre Ringuette / Freestyle Photography}

OTTAWA - Team Canada will have to endure the rest of the World Juniors without its most talented defenceman, Matthew Schaefer.

The Erie Otters star — ranked at No. 1 in our latest 2025 NHL Draft rankings — has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament after colliding with the net in Canada's 3-2 shootout loss to Latvia. The 17-year-old sustained a left shoulder injury and could be sidelined for up to three months.

The IIHF permitted teams to register 25 players for the first time in event history this year, instead of the usual 23. F Carson Rehkopf and D Sawyer Mynio, who have been healthy scratches thus far, have been registered and are expected to play against Germany today.

It's worth noting Canada had the choice to bring in a player not currently with the team and elected not to.

How will Team Canada fare without Matthew Schaefer?

It was not in the cards this time last year, but before the injury, the Otters defenceman was expected to play a major role for this Canadian group. He has been that good this season.

Schaefer has seven goals and 22 points in 17 games with the Otters since a bout of mononucleosis delayed his season debut until October 25th. He was easily the best player in the CHL Top Prospects-USNTDP showcase games in November. Helping lead Canada to gold at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in the summer did wonders for his confidence and his offensive flair has been on full display in his draft-eligible campaign:

MATTHEW SCHAEFER WITH THE HIGHLIGHT REEL ASSIST

Top ranked #NHLDraft prospect Matthew Schaefer makes an unreal move to get by the defender before passing it off to fellow draft prospect Malcolm Spence who taps it in to give the @ErieOtters a 4-1 lead!#OHL | @CHLHockey pic.twitter.com/WixcFTNjMU

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 8, 2024

The Hamilton, Ont. native was one of the team's better players in Canada's opener over Finland, setting up Gavin McKenna's opener and adding an empty-net goal to seal the 4-0 win. Only fellow d-men Andrew Gibson and Oliver Bonk were utilized more than the 17-year-old, who saw 20:26 of ice time.

"Even as the youngest defender on the team, he clearly did not lack the confidence required to take chances with the puck in the name of creating offence," said McKeen's Director of Scouting, Brock Otten.

"I'm legitimately worried about how Canada's defence looks without him," added Otten. "The team opted to leave some of the more dynamic defenders in the age group at home and with Schaefer out versus Latvia, the team struggled to create significant scoring chances from the blueline out."

It was a talking point in Brock and I's examination of Canada's lineup on the McKeen's Hockey Show before the tournament: even if you were banking on Schaefer bearing the burden of offence on the blueline, why not bring one of Zayne Parekh or Carter Yakemchuk? Why not take full advantage of the talent available by giving yourself a variety of options?

Instead of bringing in Parekh — who is the second defenceman in OHL history to score 30 goals in his draft year — or Yakemchuk, — who holds the Calgary Hitmen franchise record for goals scored by a defenceman — Hockey Canada has elected to stick with the group they brought.

With Canada cancelling practice yesterday, head coach Dave Cameron and his staff will have a fresh approach for tonight's match.

There are two main areas in need of addressing on the backend: their ability to create offence in transition and the lack of a true powerplay quarterback.

Bonk took over for Schaefer against Latvia on Canada's top unit, despite the fact he has operated almost exclusively in the bumper role for London in the OHL. His teammate, Sam Dickinson, runs the PP1 for the Knights: the 2024 first-round pick leads CHL defenders with 36 points in 26 games.

"Dickinson has the potential to step into that role for Canada, but he seems to have reverted into a shell in this tournament, afraid of making a mistake," explained Otten.

"Outside of Tanner Molendyk, the rest of the defenders have had trouble making clean and controlled exits," he added.

"I worry about how the heavy forecheck of the United States, for example, will be handled. Lastly, Schaefer was one of the few bright spots on a struggling Canadian power play. Now its reconfiguration will need to be completed without him. Will that be successful?"

Hagens leading the way for USA

Seeing Schaefer and Porter Martone face off against James Hagens on New Year's Eve would have been a spectacle for NHL scouts to behold. It's an unfortunate outcome in a tournament where you always want best-on-best action.

After a slow start in the NCAA (relative to his standards), Hagens has looked excellent back amongst junior players. The 18-year-old centreman was just too much to handle for Latvia yesterday in the USA's 5-1 undoing of the underdogs.

Watching him move the puck around with Gabe Perrault and Ryan Leonard is utterly mesmerizing: both of his assists came from him drawing opponents in before picking a seam to the back door:

Ryan Leonard strikes on the power-play to make it 2-0 USA!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/A9h9Y2klJb

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

Zeev Buium finishes off the James Hagens pass to make it 3-0 USA!#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/LfsiIclCJB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

Hagens would have had a goal of his own were it not for the efforts of Linards Feldbergs, hot off the performance of a lifetime against Canada less than 24 hours earlier:

WHAT A SAVE

Linards Feldbergs makes an incredible stop on James Hagens.#WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/2mt2mK68WB

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 28, 2024

He was complimentary of Team Latvia's effort post-game:

"We were ready right from the drop of the puck," said the Hauppauge, New York native. "They're a great hockey team. Anyone can win on any given day. We came in here ready to give it our all. We saw the game against Canada. They never stopped coming. But we all stuck together."

The Boston College centerman sits second in the tournament scoring with two goals and six points (five of which are primary). He fills up the net every time he dons the stars and stripes.

Secondary scoring shines for the Americans, D needs work

In our discussion before the tournament, it was suggested by Asst. Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, that the Americans had two question marks heading into the tournament: whether or not the team would be too reliant on its top unit and if the defence corps was up to snuff.

Danny Nelson was excellent behind Hagens yesterday, the big two-way pivot scored twice and was named player of the game. Centring the second line with Trevor Connelly and Cole Eiserman on his wings, the New York Islanders prospect is blossoming in a more prominent role for the Americans — he was mostly deployed on the penalty kill last tournament.

Thus far, the second line has combined for five of USA's 15 goals, in contrast to the first line's six.

The question marks still lie around the defence, though. Expect head coach David Carle to tinker with the bottom pairings against Finland.

Parting Notes

Three Czech players (Vojtech Hradec, Jakub Stancl, and Matej Mastalirsky) scored a hat trick as the defending bronze medalists defeated Kazakhstan 14-2
Scoring 14 goals on 36 shots, the Czechs had a 39% shooting percentage in the victory.
It was the most goals Czechia has ever scored against Kazakhstan, eclipsing a 10-2 showing at the 2009 edition of the tournament in Ottawa.
Seattle Kraken pick Jakub Fibigr recorded four assists
Fellow Kraken prospect Eduard Sale picked up two assists, taking him past David Pastrnak and Jiri Hudler on the all-time WJC scoring list for Czechia with 16 points in 16 career games.
Hagens is currently on pace for 21 points should he play all seven potential games of the tournament. The record for American draft-eligible players is 13 points in six contests: a record that's stood for almost 50 years.
Feldbergs (Sherbrooke, QMJHL) has made 91 saves in his first two games: the Latvian netminder caught the attention of former Montreal Canadiens star Carey Price with his impressive display against Canada.

2025 WORLD JUNIORS: Team Preview – Team Canada

Derek Neumeier — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:30 +0000

_{GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - DECEMBER 27: Latvia vs Canada Preliminary Round - Group A action at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship at Scandinavium on December 27, 2023 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Matt Zambonin/IIHF)}

For every Canadian contingent at the annual World Juniors tournament, there is only one goal, one standard that is strived for: winning gold. Anything less than that is considered a failure.

At the same time, however, there are still different degrees of failure that exist for the hockey juggernaut when it comes to this event. So when Canada only finished 5th last year, after being bounced by Czechia in the quarterfinals and getting sent home before they were even able to compete for a medal of any colour, it was nothing short of a catastrophe on all fronts.

The good news is that it's still possible to turn last year's outcome into little more than a blip in the country's long history of World Juniors success stories. After all, Canada had won gold the two preceding years, and then again two years before that.

And perhaps the host city for this year's tournament is a good omen for a comeback. Not only will Canada have the advantage of playing on home soil, but they'll be doing so again in Ottawa, where they emerged victorious back in 2009, which was the fifth iteration in an incredible stretch of five consecutive championships. That also happened to be one of the most iconic Canadian performances ever in this tournament, from the violent drama of the New Year's Eve match against the United States to Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal against Russia in the semifinals, to a masterful, top-to-bottom assault that stunned Sweden in the deciding game.

This year won’t be a cakewalk, however. The Americans are dangerous and seen by many as the favorites coming in, younger players than usual will be tasked with important roles, and some very highly-regarded names were controversially left off the team in an attempt to strike a better kind of balance within the roster, decisions that will be scrutinized even further if Canada underperforms expectations.

The stakes are high and the pressure is mounting. Now it’s time to see what these Canadian players are made of.

Key Players

Cole Beaudoin, Center

Anyone who might feel skeptical about Beaudoin making this team needs to go back and watch the gold-medal game of the 2024 IIHF U18s, between Canada and the United States. He was nothing short of fantastic in that pivotal contest, scoring a 3rd-period goal and putting in stalwart defensive work throughout his 20 minutes of ice time, especially when Canada was defending their lead late against a final American push. That was a quintessential Beaudoin performance, showing him at the peak of what his impact can be as a workhorse center who has no trouble carrying a heavy load. And because he's so experienced, comfortable and effective with how he plays it makes it easy for his coaches to know exactly how to use him. Any time Canada needs to close out a win in this tournament you can be sure that Beaudoin will be coming over the boards.

Oliver Bonk, Defense

Bonk is usually not particularly entertaining to watch, but he's the type of player that you could set your watch to. When it comes to producing consistently solid two-way hockey as a defenseman, he is nearly unparalleled for this age group. He can eat up a lot of minutes in all situations and rarely leaves his team in a worse spot than the one that they were in when he stepped onto the ice. And perhaps most crucially, after back-to-back appearances in the OHL finals with the London Knights, one trip to the Memorial Cup, and him being a returnee for this tournament, he's not likely to be intimidated or thrown off of his game by the bright spotlight that will be shining directly on him and the rest of the home team. If he can act as a calming presence for this blueline it could make a bigger difference than most spectators realize.

Berkly Catton, Center

Getting the opportunity to don the maple leaf will be a thrill for every player on this roster, but it's safe to assume that Catton will be a little extra excited about it. He was nothing short of heroic last year for a young and outgunned Spokane Chiefs club, playing a mind-boggling amount of minutes and putting in an immeasurable amount of work to help his team make the playoffs, often lifting them up single-handedly. Unfortunately for him, that long grind took a toll on his body and forced him to sit out last spring's IIHF U18 tournament due to injury, denying him the chance to improve upon the bronze medal that he won in the same event the year prior as an underage player. Now that he's healthy again and surrounded by a strong supporting cast we could really see him thrive in Ottawa, using his elite hockey sense, lighting-quick acceleration and deep bag of puck tricks to carve up enemy defenses.

Easton Cowan, Wing

Over the past couple of years Cowan has become fondly known by his nickname of "Cowboy," and a large part of why he's so successful as a prospect is because he knows how to bring a lot of "yeehaw" to how he plays. To put it another way, his work rate and tenacity are unmatched, his enthusiasm and confidence are infectious, and he's utterly fearless when it comes to any challenge that he faces. The effect of those intangibles is just as pronounced and impactful as what he actually does with the puck on his stick, which is also quite a lot, including routinely making big plays in big, game-deciding moments. Unlike most of his teammates, Cowan has yet to ever win an international gold medal with Canada, so he might be especially motivated in Ottawa by the chance to finally cross that kind of dreamed-about milestone off of his career to-do list.

Sam Dickinson, Defense

To say that Dickinson has been unstoppable in the OHL so far this season might still be selling it short. He's produced a staggering 46 points in 26 games, which is not only the most among all defenders in that league, but also put him in the Top 10 of overall scoring before he headed to Canada's selection camp. His success stems primarily from his combination of a 6-foot-3 frame, exceptional athleticism and explosive skating prowess. The way he can rush the puck up the ice is frequently jaw-dropping, and he is making progress with learning how to use those same tools to be a moving wall defensively. There are still some hiccups with his decision-making and puck management, so his coaches will need to be careful with his usage in such a short tournament, but if they ever need to increase the pace of a game or push for a much-needed goal then he'll be a go-to option.

Carter George, Goaltender

It shouldn't come as a surprise that George made this roster, given his prior success for Canada internationally. He backstopped his home nation to two gold medals just last year, first at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and then at the 2024 IIHF U18s, and was named the best goaltender at the latter event. He's about as focused and unflappable as goalies come at this age group, regardless of whether he's facing a barrage of shots all game or only periodic chances, and he's previously shown the ability to shut out all the outside noise and pressure that often sinks Canadian netminders in best-on-best competition. George might not outright steal any games in this tournament, but that's alright because he shouldn't have to. If he can manage his crease with poise and consistency that should be enough to lead his team to victory.

Gavin McKenna, Wing

Like Connor Bedard three years ago, and Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby going even further back, McKenna was named to a Canadian World Juniors roster before he reached his 17th birthday because of his sheer amounts of skill, hockey sense and potential to be a difference-maker were all simply too high to leave him off, regardless of his age. The reigning CHL Rookie of the Year leads the WHL in scoring heading into the holiday break thanks to his dazzling puck control, incisive vision and the competitive chip on his shoulder. McKenna is currently the scouting industry's consensus projection to become the 1st-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, and that distinction will be further cemented if he shines bright in Ottawa, which is a likely outcome given his track record and body of work up to this point in his career.

Bradly Nadeau, Wing

Nadeau is the only member of this Canadian roster who has been playing hockey full-time at a professional level this season (with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he has an impressive 15 points in 22 games), which will help minimize this particular advantage that is always held by the top European clubs, who routinely bring multiple players with pro experience. He also might be something of a wildcard for this team, because he's highly talented and has been enjoying a steep upward trajectory with his development in recent years, yet this will be his first time representing Canada internationally. If everything comes together just right for Nadeau he could be a top player in this event, showing off his slippery transition play and booming slapshot, and using the opportunity as a springboard to turn him into a much bigger name in the hockey world.

Cal Ritchie, Center

Ritchie is one of three players on this roster who have already dressed for NHL regular-season games, though he's the only one so far who has collected his first goal at the sport's highest level. He probably could have stuck around all season in Colorado and succeeded, but getting to chase a gold medal at the World Juniors was one of the reasons why the Avalanche chose to send him back down to the OHL one last time. The big, abundantly skilled center is scoring at a pace of nearly two points per game with his club team in Oshawa and might be Canada's single-best offensive weapon here, especially considering he's older and more experienced than most of the others who will be wearing the maple leaf. He can generate offense in any way that he wants to, and can do so at both even strength and on the power play.

Matthew Schaefer, Defense

Just how special is Schaefer as a prospect? Let's put it this way: he is the first 17-year-old defenseman to be named to a Canadian World Juniors roster since Ryan Ellis, all the way back at the 2009 tournament. And there is a long list of great Canadian defensemen who came around between then and now but didn't get that privilege. When you watch him play he certainly doesn't look his age, with a poise and maturity well beyond his years, and he has an expert understanding of how to use his sublime skating ability to be a difference-maker all over the ice. Schaefer is one of only three players to ever win gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, IIHF U18s and the Hlinka, and if he adds another one to his trophy case here it will break even more new ground and add another chapter to an already remarkable story that he has only just begun writing for himself.

Sleeper Player

Carson Bjarnason, Goaltender

While Carter George comes into this tournament as Canada's expected number-one goalie, there's still a real chance that Bjarnason will take over the reins at some point and hold onto them in the elimination games. He doesn't have the same track record of international success that George does, but he's a year older, he's bigger, and he's faster in his movements. An argument could rationally be made that, on paper, Bjarnason is the better goalie at this point in time. There are still some consistency issues in his game, but he's pulled off more than a few show-stopping performances in his years in Brandon, and a goalie only needs to stay hot for a few matches in a row to lead his team to glory at the World Juniors. If he turns out to have the hottest hand among the Canadian goalies then his coaches would be remiss to not put their trust in him.

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).