Later this week, (many of) the Philadelphia Flyers top prospects and young players will hit the ice for rookie camp, signifying the unofficial start to training camp and the 2026-27 season.
Appropriately, it’s time for the latest edition of the PHLY Top 20 Philadelphia Flyers prospect list — our sixth edition.
As always, the list was compiled with Alexander Appleyard, longtime co-writer of our rankings, which began back in 2017. All of the organization’s players who retain Calder Trophy eligibility — under 26 years old and played no more than 25 NHL games last season (or six games or more in two separate seasons) — were included in the voting process, as we each ranked our top 25 prospects and then combined the two lists to construct a 20-player ranking.
The lone noteworthy graduation from last February’s list is Denver Barkey (No. 3 on that list), as Barkey is no longer Calder-eligible after appearing in 43 games last season for the Flyers. But there are three new faces on this incarnation of the ranking — all players selected by the Flyers in June’s NHL draft.
This is not an objective ranking of the Flyers’ prospects based on a mathematical formula. Alex and I used firsthand viewing, raw production and conversations with scouts, players and other hockey sources to inform our opinions. And now, onto the list.
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7 Comments (4 conversations)
Colin Toolan
Isn’t Nesbitt going to the University of Michigan?
Andrew Fernandes
We all know that you need top talent, and there is only Martone that fits that tier but it is refreshing to see the Flyers pipeline with prospects that have an NHL level skill. In a cap world you need young and inexpensive pieces to fill out a roster. Plus it gives you an option to include roster players in trades.
A strong year and you have a sell high prospect to include in a trade. Especially with their pool of RHD.
hg88
Yes, as Colin said, Nesbitt is going to the Wolverines, not the Spartans.
I think McDonald and Murchison belong at the end of the top 20. They are probably placeholders for Sokolovskii and Amico in organizational depth and probably higher regarded than Gard and Kolosov, and maybe Westergård. They are also probably ahead of Gill at this point, but I do like Gill’s upside better. Both McDonald and Murchison are probably lined up to be the first replacements for Benoit and Seeler when that time comes.
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorSorry, I always mix that up. It was correct on the graphic.
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorIt really depends on your definition of “ahead.” They’re both ahead of those guys on the current organizational depth chart as it stands right now, absolutely. But they also most likely top out as No. 6/7 swingmen defensemen at the NHL level. So I lean towards putting them behind guys who I think have both the potential and plausible path to being more than that. I suspect Alex agrees.
Kyle Adams
It looks like there is a mistake on Matthew Gard’s image. He was a 2025 2nd round pick. Sorry to nitpick! Love the article.
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorGonna take a little time to fix this one, as Brynna is off today. But thanks for the heads up.