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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19 Comments (10 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.
jcheim90
I’m disappointed Bonk’s status as the franchise leader in points per game wasn’t mentioned
David Schwarz
Quite a lot of consensus between Alex and Charlie. One of the places where they diverge is in their assessment of Carter Amico. Can we chalk that up to Charlie (and not Alex) seeing Amico in Voorhees and being impressed with what he saw?
I was surprised to see them both rank Psohlavec above Bjarnason. Obviously the latter wasn’t good in the AHL, but that’s valuable experience that the former hasn’t had. I would’ve given the edge to Bjarnason, but it’s not like it know a lot about either dude.
Will Jefferis
We’ll be interesting to see Pso and Bjar in the upcoming rookie camp for sure
definitemaybe
Excellent article.
(In the Profile it would be helpful to show Position.)
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorThis is a constant critique dating back to the list’s days at The Athletic, and while I get it, I’m never adding position to the graphic. Why? Because I don’t want to make a concrete determination of what position a forward is ultimately going to play. Often, you don’t know if a player will be a center or a wing until they get to the NHL — hell, we still don’t know what Denver Barkey’s position long-term will be. And then left wing versus right wing? Zero chance of knowing that. So I made the decision to avoid putting position on the graphics. I try to have positional clarity in all the write-ups, though.
definitemaybe
Thanks Charlie.
Keep up your great work which is unrivaled in the Flyers ‘beat writer / internet site / podcast’ world.
stoolsamplepresidente
Why do all the analyses of Sokolovskii talk about him topping out a second pair level? Obviously it’s unlikely that every skill we hope will develop, but if it does, what’s to prevent him becoming another Chara/Pronger/Hedman?
I understand the hesitance to say a guy’s “best case” is three inner circle Hall of Famers. But you can look at a guy like Bonk or Cam York’s physical skills and say okay, this physical limitations mean this guy will top out at a #2 or #3. What’s the limitation with Sokolovskii?
Derrick Stagliano
You skipped #12 in the graphics (I see two number 11’s)
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorNo, that’s intentional. Those two players tied in the rankings.
David LaVeck
This is one of the best features of the season and I look forward to reading it each season! The best part may be the unique viewpoints that each of you have as you champion each player you each take turns writing about. It is very insightful! I really like the goalie pipeline especially the top two who I can see being a great tandem someday in the future. Can I ask for one thing?: please add each players usual position to the graphic, it will be helpful. Goalie is obvious but the rest are not. Thanks.
Charlie O'Connor
AuthorAs I responded earlier, position in the graphics is never going to happen! Because at this stage of their development, we don’t really know what position forwards in particular are going to play. Will a guy end up a center or a wing? Primarily RW or LW? It’s still totally up in the air. And I don’t want to try to guess and then have people assume that “well, I guess Cole Knuble is a center” after reading this piece.
It basically comes down whether I’d be willing to put “forward” as a designation for all forwards (because that’s all I’d feel comfortable doing design-wise). And I just think that’s fairly useless and doesn’t provide much substantive value.
David LaVeck
Fair enough and I agree a general position is not worthwhile. Thanks for the response!