Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. As we go through the summer of 2023, each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a look at one NHL team’s top prospects or other topical article. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, Kyle Pereira and Frederik Frandson on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! You can find all the articles here as well as our extensive NHL Draft preview. Today, we look at the 2023 Philadelphia Flyers top Prospects.
2023 Philadelphia Flyers Top Prospects
1.) Matvei Michkov
The first of the Philadelphia Flyers top prospects is a recent draft selection. It’s not a shock who holds the top spot on this ranking. Matvei Michkov is a superstar in the making and is one of the best prospects of the last decade. In the 2023 NHL draft, he was one of the few players capable of rivalling Connor Bedard. His skating is great, and what he slightly lacks in top-end speed he makes up for with quick changes of direction.
Michkov possesses an elite NHL-ready shot, which is going to be a problem for goalies for years to come. He also sees the game at a high level, and his hockey sense to scan the ice makes him a constant threat and presence on the ice. His playmaking is one of the better and his stickhandling is up there with the best. There aren’t a lot of holes in Michkovs game.
The downside to Michkov will be the uncertainty. One of the main reasons for this is that it’s going to be a while before Flyers fans can enjoy their Russian superstar. Until Michkovs contract with SKA Saint Petersburg is over, he will develop in the KHL. Questions become when and if his time in the KHL will be over and he can make the move to the NHL. Due to the war in Ukraine, the geopolitical climate between the Western world and Russia is deteriorating rapidly. This could make a move for Michkov harder to achieve. Something that might explain how he dropped as far as he did during the draft.
However, should Michkov arrive after his deal with Saint Petersburg is over as expected, Michkov could arrive as an NHL-ready forward, ready to turn the franchise into a contender from day one. A similar route to that of fellow Russian and Minnesota Wild superstar, Kirill Kaprizov.
2.) Cutter Gauthier
Last year’s fifth overall pick, Cutter Gauthier had a great first season in the NCAA. With an impressive 37 points in 32 games for Boston College and a great showing at the IIHF Worlds this season has cemented his spot as one of the prospects in the league. The young forward brings a ton of stability with him and can play in all situations. He works hard, and when the puck is on his stick he rarely makes the wrong decision. The versatility of Gauthier both positionally and situational makes him able to adapt to the Flyers’ needs. He can be an excellent play driver with his explosive skating, but can also turn into a sniper if needed. Positionally he can play both as a winger and centre, and this should make him an ideal partner with Michkov once he arrives. Especially with his playmaking in mind.
There are still improvements to make in his overall consistency and decision-making, but both saw improvements this season. Going back to Boston College, in what should be a bigger leadership role is going to greatly help his development. As a player, that isn’t far from being ready already, it wouldn’t be a shock if he ends up signing a contract after the NCAA season. A contract that might signify the beginning of a much brighter future for Flyers fans. A future that easily could end up with Lord Stanley returning once all the pieces fall into place.
3.) Tyson Foerster
Another piece of the Flyers’ rebuild is Tyson Foerster, who had a strong first season in professional hockey. He primarily spend the season in the AHL, where he was able to show all of his talent with 48 points in 66 games. Not that it’s surprising as his talent and potential are comparable to that of a 30+ goalscorer in the NHL. His shot is outstanding and powerful, which makes him a threat from anywhere. He is very proactive and looks for the open ice so that he can unleash his shot and especially on the powerplay he is a monumental asset for his team. Foerster also brings physicality into his game, which has allowed him to smoothly transition into the professional game. He plays with a nice edge and snarl and doesn’t shy away from contact or the dirty areas of the ice.
On top of that, he showed great leadership throughout the season. He has worked incredibly hard and brings a strong effort almost every time he steps on the ice. While his weaker skating and his past injuries are still valid concerns, his development this season showed that Foerster is a player to watch for the future. He looked confident and played with the swagger he was known for before his injuries. Something he also showcased during his short stint in the NHL with 7 points in 9 games.
4.) Emil Andrae
The top defenseman in the Flyers’ prospect pool is Swedish defender Emil Andrae. The Swede is finally moving over to North America after establishing himself as one of the better defenders in the SHL. During the season he posted 26 points in 51 games and helped his team avoid relegation. He played with a great deal of confidence and never seemed to falter under the pressure of the top Swedish league. His great hockey sense was on display throughout which allows him to be effective in both zones of the ice. He excels offensively where his strong skating and creativity can be unleashed as he scans the ice at a high level to make the right pass or get into the right area to make a play.
Defensively he is also very strong, despite his physical limitations as an undersized defenseman. His hockey sense and great mind once again allow him to get into the right position to make a play. The gap control is excellent and he is able to get the puck out of danger with an active stick. Andrae will take some to learn the North American style of hockey, but should with time develop into a modern top 4 defenceman in the NHL.
5.) Oliver Bonk
The 2023 NHL draft might go over in Flyers history as one of the best in franchise history. While the pick of the draft was the 7th overall and Matvei Michkov, the rest of the draft was also wonderful. Another early pick from the draft was London Knight defenceman, Oliver Bonk, who is a versatile defender. He can play in all three zones and does most things at a high level. He has a good size and a well-rounded defensive game that has improved a lot throughout the season. This comes from his great understanding of the game as well as his ability to use the body and long stick effectively in his own zone to break up passes or shots. The breakout is greatly improved and so has his stability when having the puck in his own zone.
Offensively his great passing also comes into play, as he is able to create a lot of scoring chances from the blue line. Bonk is also willing to join the rush and overwhelm the opposing team by jumping into the play as the trailer. This does come with a risk as his skating does need improvement to minimize the risk of getting caught pinching. However, Bonk’s overall skillset and strong development last season show that he could become a strong top 4 defenceman in the NHL. Potentially as a pair with Emil Andrae in the future.
6.) Bobby Brink
Brink had a season, where he missed the first half of the season due to a hip injury. A rough start but once he returned to the AHL he steadily found his groove. With 21 points in 44 games in the AHL, he did show some of the skillset that made him so dangerous in the NCAA. His vision and crafty nature along with a prolific shot make him a constant source of worry for defenders. He moves the puck well and his stickhandling is up there with the best. This allows him to create space for either a pass or a shot. This helps offset some of the weaker skating mechanics that he has, which after the hip injury is a concern for his translatability to the NHL.
His hockey sense is also strong as well as his tenacious style. Brink isn’t scared off physicality and plays a much bigger game than his 5-foot-8 frame would indicate. He plays with passion and drive, which makes him a strong option in most situations. His feet are always moving making him a great player in transition and as an option for the breakout. This competitive nature and ability to work hard is going to be key for Brink to reach his potential, as it might be more of a scoring middle-six forward, rather than a pure top-six forward, like some thought his ceiling was in his draft year. However while he might never reach those highs due to his injury, he could be a crucial part of the Flyers’ future in a similar fashion as Anthony Cirrelli was for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
7.) Helge Grans
Along with the first-round pick of the 2023 NHL draft, one of the key parts of the Ivan Provorov trade was Swedish defenceman Helge Grans. The former second-round pick had a rough season with the Ontario Reign, where consistency was non existing. Both for Grans but also for the team as a whole. Despite this Grans’ potential is undeniable. The Swede brings a good mix of size and mobility to the blue line. He is a big body defenceman at 6-foot-4 who is a decent skater and very confident with the puck. His shot is fairly powerful and accurate making him a decent threat from the point.
The problem with Grans’ game starts in the defensive zone. There is a lot to improve as he can get caught chasing or losing his man to sudden changes in speed. He loves to be aggressive and it’s often where he plays the best. Things are happening either offensively or with a big hit, but there is a risk attached to a style like that. Especially for a young defenceman like Grans. The key will be to improve his decision-making defensively and make Grans shine with a more calculated aggression. If they are able to do so, he could be a very interesting partner to fellow Swedish defender, Emil Andrae.
8.) Alexei Kolosov
One of the biggest surprises of the last year within the Flyers’ prospect pool, was the emergence of Belarusian goaltender Alexei Kolosov. While his talents were known prior to the season, the phenomenal season he had in the KHL was quite unexpected. With Dynamo Minsk he posted a .912 save per cent and 2.55 GAA in 42 games and was one of the main reasons the team made the postseason. What also is a positive surprise for Flyers fans was the news that he signed an entry-level contract last month, meaning that it won’t be long until he can make the jump into North America. Given the strength of the Flyer’s goaltending depth chart, he was loaned back to Minsk for the next season to continue his development.
Kolosovs skillset primarily surrounds his brilliant athleticism. He moves fluidly and his mechanical movement is stellar. He has fast side-to-side movements, making him able to adjust and get square with the shooter in an instant. This also means he is able to cover a lot of ground and recover well even when put under pressure. His skating is strong in all areas and it makes him incredibly tough to beat positionally. In terms of tracking, he has developed a lot and he is able to find the puck in traffic with far more ease than previously. His biggest challenge will be to transition into the North American style which is far more direct and with pressure around him. Something where his slight lack of size could become a problem unless he adapts his game slightly to counteract it.
9.) Elliot Desnoyers
Every successful team needs a player who is willing to put the team first in everything they do. Someone who is willing to grind down the opponents shift after shift, so that the stars can succeed. For the future of the Flyers, one of those players could be Elliot Desnoyers. The winger isn’t flashy and won’t be the primary star on most teams, but what he might lack in raw talent he makes up for with a wonderful attitude. He works harder than most and is an extremely unselfish player who does as much off the puck as he does on the puck. He is defensively reliable and is a versatile player able to player centre as well as a winger. In a lot of ways he is a coach’s dream player.
On top of his great attitude and work rate, he has also been able to develop a lot of his offensive game since getting drafted in 2020. While it’s not flashy, his tenacious energy does allow him to get into positions to score and create chances. Something he has capitalized on over the past two seasons, where he really has developed into a much more complete player offensively. Last season in his first season in pro hockey, he put up 44 points in 65 games in the AHL. A staggering number and one that shows signs towards far greater potential than expected when he was drafted. While he might not be an elite sniper or playmaker, he could easily develop into the perfect middle-six forward with the ability to shut down other teams and put up points in the process.
10.) Carson Bjarnason
The last player in the top ten is goaltender Carson Bjarnason, who the Flyers selected in the second round of the 2023 NHL draft. Statistically, Bjarnason had a rough season in the WHL, posting a measly .900 save percentage. However one of the primary reasons was that the Brandon Wheat Kings struggled mightily throughout the season. When looking more into it the season, it became quite apparent that the team played a lot better with Bjarnasson in net which does give hope for a stronger development than one might get at first glans. Mechanically Bjarnason is a very sound goalie, with extremely strong positioning and movements. Similar to goalies like Frederik Andersen or Jesper Wallstedt, Bjarnasons style can at times seem almost robotic. He is just in the right position to mak the simple save and moves fluently to make the next afterwards.
Bjarnason also is able to track the puck well through traffic and does a good job of using his size and upper body to find the puck before it leaves the blade of the shooter. The great size also allows him to take away a lot of the bottom of the net while in the butterfly. The butterfly does require work however as it can leave the top part of the net exposed. This isn’t a huge issue in the WHL, but in the NHL it would be exposed. Therefore it has to improve and be fine-tuned before Bjarnason is ready for the NHL.
Flyers Prospects Honourable Mention (4th Round or Later): Alex Ciernik
As mentioned previously the Flyers had a wonderful 2023 NHL draft throughout its entirety. This is highlighted by the fact that they selected Slovak forward Alex Ciernik at 120th overall. A player who many experts had going much earlier. Ciernik is a player with a strong offensive game and a good mix of a decent shot and great playmaking abilities. His skating is excellent mechanically which makes Ciernik an elusive and entertaining player to watch. He has great acceleration, top speed and his edges are brilliant. To put it simply he could very well be the best skater in the 2023 NHL draft class.
He does require work in terms of his two-way game and off-the-puck movement, but playing in Sweden should be ideal to develop those exact areas. The Swedish system is notoriously good at helping players work on their 200-foot game as well as their skating. Therefore it would be far from surprising to see a much more complete game from Ciernik within the next couple of seasons. He is a raw prospect and one to keep an eye out for in the future as he continues to develop his game off the puck.
Flyers Prospects in the System
The Flyers have managed to strengthen their prospect pool over the past couple of seasons, making it one of the deepest in the NHL. Finding the ten names was a challenge, due to how well the Flyers have drafted in the past couple of seasons. Some of the players that were cut include Denver Barkey and Cole Knuble, who were selected in the 2023 NHL draft. Players who both would have made most other teams’ top 10. Barkey especially is an interesting player which a great motor, strong playmaking and high hockey sense. Qualities that with the right development could make for a solid middle-six forward. The rest of the players who didn’t make the cut consist of Ethan Samson, Alex Bump, Devin Kaplin and Yegor Zavragin.
Main Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
