NHL.com provides in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of the 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Philadelphia Flyers, according to NHL.com.
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1. Matvei MichkovF
How to get: Selected with No. 7 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Sochi (KHL): 27 GP, 9-11-20
Michkov (5-foot-10, 172 pounds) has surprising offensive ability that some scouts rank second only to Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. But he lasted until the No. 1 pick. 7 because of his three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Assistant general manager Brent Flahr said after meeting with the 18-year-old before the draft, the Flyers have full confidence Michkov will come to Philadelphia once he completes his KHL obligations.
“To see how excited he is and see him smile, hear him talk and see the players’ facilities and learn some of the history and whatnot,” Flahr said. “It’s very cool and obviously a comfort level that he wants to play in the NHL and he wants to be a star.”
Michkov was selected with the expectation that he would play on the right wing, but he played at center in the preseason games.
“I watched some of his shifts … and he looked really good,” general manager Daniel Briere said. “He’s really impressive [defensive] zone, how he comes back and helps his defenses, how supportive he is. I admire how he uses his body in the faces. He never looked out of place playing center. “
Expected arrival in the NHL: 2026-27
Video: Matvei Michkov was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers
2. Cutter GauthierF
How to get: Selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Boston College (NCAA): 32 GP, 16-21-37
Gauthier (6-2, 189) led Boston College in goals and points as a freshman. The 19-year-old will play one more season in the NCAA, but the Flyers envision him as ready to break into the NHL lineup after his college season ends.
“I think there’s already a lot out there,” Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones said. “I think so [a second college season] more about fine tuning. When I look at him, I see an NHL player who is going to be a very good NHL player.
Expected arrival in the NHL: Next season
3. Tyson FoersterF
How to get: Selected with No. 23 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: Flyers: 8 GP, 3-4-7; Lehigh Valley (AHL): 66 GP, 20-28-48
The 21-year-old made his NHL debut on March 9, and after going scoreless in his first three games, he scored a point in five straight before being sent back to Lehigh Valley for the AHL playoffs.
Foerster (6-2, 194) could earn a top-9 forward spot during training camp.
“I think the American League has been good for him, playing in all different situations,” Flahr said. “He’s always been known for scoring goals, but he’s also working on the defensive side of the game, playing and handling the puck and creating offense, not just on the power play with his one-timer. I think he’s a student of the game. He’s a smart player and when he got the chance to play with NHL players, he took advantage of it.”
Expected arrival in the NHL: This time
Video: NHL Tonight on the prospect pipeline for the Flyers
4. Oliver Bonkd
How to get: Selected with No. 22nd pick in the 2023 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: London (OHL): 67 GP, 10-30-40
Bonk (6-2, 180) was second in scoring among rookie defensemen in the Ontario Hockey League last season, and the 18-year-old is expected to play a bigger role this season. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers on August 21.
“To see some of the things he can do, even though you know two years from now he’s going to be a much more effective player, he’s going to be stronger and faster, faster, to grow in his body,” said Flahr. . “He’s still young. Physically he’ll take big steps this summer hopefully and then continue to get better. But as far as his intelligence and his ability to read the game and play both ends on the rink, it’s exciting. Someone who is two, three years away from hopefully becoming an influential player for us.
Expected arrival in the NHL: 2025-26
5. Emil Andraed
How to get: Selected with No. 54 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft
2022-23 season: HV 71 (SHL): 51 GP, 6-20-26; Lehigh Valley (AHL): 10 GP, 2-4-6
Andrae (5-9, 181) drew comparisons to former NHL All-Star Kimmo Timonen during development camp and the 21-year-old could push for NHL time in his first full season in North America.
“He’s a very intelligent player,” Flahr said. “He’s very focused. He’s shorter but he’s very well built, physically strong, strong on his skates. And he’s a smart defender, he moves the puck very well and he has a offensive dimension.”
Expected arrival in the NHL: Next season