Philadelphia Flyers Top 20 prospects: AGM Brent Flahr on No. 10 through No. 1, from Matvei Michkov to Elliot Desnoyers

On Tuesday, we ranked the Top 20 Philadelphia Flyers prospects. Yesterday, it was Flyers AGM Brent Flahr’s turn to weigh in on the back half of the list.

Today? We’re on to the big names.

In Part 2 of our interview with Flahr, the focus turns to the top 10, from potential superstar Matvei Michkov to NHL roster hopeful Elliot Desnoyers.

Note: Questions and answers have been edited slightly for clarity and length.

Matvei Michkov – F (No. 1)

In preseason, Michkov was getting tested out at center, and he mentioned it was something he wanted to try out. Were you guys at all involved with the discussion to try Michkov out at center in preseason? Is that something he mentioned to you guys pre-draft, or was it a surprise when it happened?

No, that was a surprise. I’m sure he thinks he can play center if he wanted to. I’ve always seen him on the wing, but if he can play center, that’s great to know. I’ve always seen him on the wing, and he described (himself) as a winger (when we met with him). But whatever works.

Do you think his skillset could potentially translate to the middle? Obviously everyone wants centers, given what you guys are doing with Cutter Gauthier’s development. Do you think it could potentially work there?

Well, possibly. Obviously, the way he sees the ice and makes plays, he can certainly (do) the offensive side (of center), for sure. I think with his ability to score goals and the way he plays is probably a little more suited for the wing. But at the same time, playing center you’re forced to defend, you’re supposed to learn the other side of the rink, (so) it’s probably good experience for him too.

I think we’re open to anything. But like I said, the dynamics of his offensive game, I just thought is best suited for the wing. But if he wants to play center and he can play center, we’ll probably make him a center.

Cutter Gauthier – F (No. 2)

What went into the decision for Gauthier to go back for his sophomore season at BC? Was it mostly a desire on his part to spend one more year in school, especially given the quality of the players coming in? Or did you guys want him to get another year of development in?

Yeah, it was both. I thought one more year, our group thought one more year wouldn’t hurt him. We talked about the options of turning pro and not, but I think one extra year of dominating — especially where we’re at far as our organization, to take that further step — but for him to really dominate college hockey, and he did at times (last year), certain nights he certainly did, but to take that step and play another World Juniors with his peers, I think it’s huge for his development.

With a player of his caliber, I just think if you take a little bit extra time, it’ll be good for him.

Gauthier thrived at center for BC last season, but then in the World Championships, he was at wing against pros and excelled there. Does the organization still view him as primarily a center prospect, or as some sort of center/wing hybrid?

Well, in his own mind, he wants to play center. I think ideally, if we can turn him into an NHL center – a top NHL center – we want to do that. We know he can play the wing. We know he has the size, he can skate and shoot. But yeah, I think that we’ll give him every chance to be a center if he can.

Tyson Foerster – F (No. 3)

Obviously, he’s going to have to earn it at camp. But is it fair to say that the expectation is that Tyson Foerster will be on the opening night Flyers roster?

Yeah, I think he’s done the things that he’s needed to do so far to give himself a chance. Not only his play down below, but when he got called up, he performed well. I think Torts really appreciated (that) not only he put up some points, but also the play away from the puck was better than he was probably expecting. So I think he’s a guy that our coaching staff is excited to get into the mix and hopefully play regularly.

He’s had a big summer. He’s worked his butt off, and he’s made big strides off the ice as well. When you see him, you’ll notice. He’s becoming a man in front of us. He’s not the rosy-cheek boy anymore. He’s grown up a little bit. I’d be shocked if he didn’t give himself a chance right away.

Foerster surprised a lot of people last season when he scored seven points in eight games during his NHL stint. As someone who watched him a lot in the AHL last year, what parts of his game improved the most to allow him to hit the ground running at the NHL level?

I think early on (with the Phantoms), he was just shooting the puck from everywhere. Which was fine — his shot is his shot, and that’s great. But his play away from the puck has improved dramatically — getting to the insides to be dangerous. He’s learned that, and that’s come through getting stronger, and his skating is improved.

But the biggest thing that he’s really improved on is his D-zone play. Managing the puck, getting pucks off the wall, and being really reliable. He had a lot of junior habits in his game coming out. But he’s really worked hard at it, and give Lappy and the staff credit down there, they’ve shown him a lot.

He understands now (what) it takes, (that) he can’t just be turning pucks over at the offensive blueline, sometimes you just got to chip it in and live to fight another day. Or make a play — he’s more than capable of making plays, (he’s) got the hands and the range, protects the puck really well. So he’s got a lot of tools. It’s just putting it all together and managing the game and not being a liability on the defensive side of things. His effort’s always been good, but it’s just a matter of learning the little details, which he’s done a good job with.

Emil Andrae – D (No. 4)

Andrae plays an attacking, surprisingly physical style, especially given his size. Do you think he can continue to play that way at the NHL level, against the best players in the world?

Yeah, I think so. I think there’s gonna be an adjustment with the pace and speed of some of the players. Things he can’t get away with. But he’s a really intelligent player. When he does screw up, he adjusts pretty quickly, and knows what he can and can’t do. He’s strong — he’s short, but he’s a tank. He’s worked hard on his body to get stronger and to be able to compete in battles, and around the net and whatnot.

He’s never gonna be the biggest guy, but he’s putting himself in a position where he’s gonna be able to compete against men — he already has for a couple years. And in the American League in his short stint there, he looked more than capable already.

Is he the kind of defenseman who you think can be a point producer at the NHL level? Or is he going to settle in as more of an all-around five-on-five type?

No, I think he has a chance. He’s been a power play quarterback at every level. It’s gonna be an adjustment, the way they they play over there versus here, as far as getting shots through and getting them through quickly. But with his poise and vision, I think he has a chance to run a power play over here one day.

Bobby Brink – F (No. 5 — tied)

Brink obviously had the hip surgery, which kept him out for half of last season. He did play in 41 AHL games, but didn’t end up getting a look at the NHL level like Foerster and a few other guys did. Was it a bit of a “lost year” in terms of development for him?

It was tough on him in the first half — even when he got back, you could tell. You watched him skate, he almost skated with a limp. You could tell he wasn’t himself, he was frustrated.

But the times I’ve seen him this summer, it’s the first time he’s been healthy. Obviously (he’s) skating very well. I think he’s really excited, it’s his first summer in the last couple of years he’s been healthy and been able to train fully. But his hockey sense and skill and whatnot — he’s a guy I’m really excited to see in camp here, and see what he can do.

Particularly in terms of RWs, you guys are pretty crowded at the NHL level – Konecny, Tippett, Atkinson, Hathaway, Allison, and then there’s Foerster and Brink. Obviously, a few of those guys can move to the left if necessary. But Brink has pretty much exclusively been a natural RW during his career. Is he probably going to have to wait for injuries to get his shot?

Yeah, but like I’ve said, I don’t think Torts is married to anybody, so I think guys who perform will get a chance. But we do have certainly depth on right wing, you’re gonna see some guys tried on probably multiple positions here in camp early on. Bobby is a guy that Torts has heard about, but hasn’t been able to see live himself. So it’s gonna be up to him to show well in the scrimmages and the games, and then see where he’s at.

He’s an extremely intelligent player. He’s got the great hands, he’s got all the tools, it’s just a matter of — hopefully now he’s healthy, he’s stronger, and hopefully quicker, and he’s gonna be able to show what he can do.

Oliver Bonk – D (No. 5 — tied)

You mentioned after the draft that a big reason why you disagreed with the analysis of Bonk as more of a high-floor, lower-ceiling type of blueline prospect was because of his play in the second half of the year, which convinced you he had higher upside. But Bonk actually produced more offense in the first half for London than in the second half, when he only had three goals from January on. What did you see in his second half play that impressed you so much?

Well, I think he controlled games. (In the) first half, I thought he jumped in in spots, (but) I don’t think he showed the confidence. In the second half, I just thought he wanted the puck on his stick, you could tell he wanted to be the guy. Whether he was up ice (or) defensively — he was playing a ton of minutes for a young guy. And I just thought his game, just his whole execution and everything came to a different level than it was in the first half where he had good games, but he was kind of up and down.

But then you get to see him off the ice… he’s put on some weight this year, but he’s just such a raw kid as far as where we think we can get him to. He’s a really smart kid. He’s a smart hockey guy. Just loves the game, is a student of the game. He’s a guy that I just think is gonna get better and better, especially in an environment like London. Obviously, we have some ties there, but at the same time, they produce (NHL) players, which is exciting.

Bonk signed his ELC this summer, but that obviously doesn’t mean he’s poised to turn pro immediately. Do you envision him as a player who will take a while to be NHL ready, or could he help the big club sooner than many think?

I think part of it is, there’s no rush with him, especially a defenseman. But by the time of his 20-year old season, once he’s done junior… he’s gonna play two years of junior for sure. That’s my guess, unless something dramatically changes. But I think after hopefully two big years, I think he’s a guy that could challenge as a 20-year old. If he needs a year or two in the American League, that’s great as well. But he’s the type of kid I think could take big strides here.

Sam Ersson – G (No. 7)

Especially given the fact that the organization locked Ersson up to a two-year contract extension this summer with one more year still left on his ELC, is it fair to say that he’s viewed as a key part of both the short-term and long-term future of the organization in net?

Yeah, for sure. For sure. I thought, in his short time up here plus his play down below, his maturity level, the way he kind of carries himself as a pro on and off the ice — to us, he’s proven that he’s ready. Not only to be an NHL goalie, but to be hopefully a good one.

He’s a guy (who) has gotta come in here and compete with everybody else and earn his time and earn his net. We’ll see where that transpires. But he’s pretty impressive, an impressive kid and a guy that we’re obviously high on here.

And obviously, if he doesn’t have success, it gives him a little security, the contract is a little security to find his way. And at the same time, it gives us a number that we’re happy with here for a couple years, a goalie that we’re excited about.

Coming into camp last year, he had obviously missed a ton of time the year before with injury, and there was a feeling that it was best for his development if he played a lot of games in the AHL, rather than serve as a backup, even if he was the best performing goalie at camp. Is that not the case going into this year? Would you guys be fine with him being an NHL backup if he’s the best out of the guys competing for that role?

Yeah, to a point, as long as there’s a role and he’s playing. I think games played is extremely important for young goalies. For me personally — and I’m not making the final decision, that’ll be up to Torts and the staff there — but if he’s going to be playing… there’s a difference between playing 10 games and playing 40 or 50. So we’ll see. But maybe you manage it going up and down.

My guess is… to me, he looks pretty close to challenging the other guys. He’s got some swagger to him. He’s got confidence. Hopefully he’s ready. We’ll see. But it’s going to be a competition this year for sure.

Ronnie Attard – D (No. 8)

One of the big focuses for Attard entering last season was to find a better balance between his natural aggressiveness and being a more sound defensive defenseman. How much progress do you think he made in that regard?

Well, I think (in) the first half, he really pressured himself, I think he measured himself with points all the time. Our focus is just…. we want him to go, to get up ice and join the rush. But at the NHL level — or even in the American League — there’s times where less is more, move the puck and then get up ice and get going. I think he put a lot of pressure on himself early in the year to stick with the big team. And then when he got (sent) down, it’s learning that the American League is a grind, and it’s a challenge.

I think by the second half, or even probably mid-November, I think really started to go. The pairing (with Adam) Ginning really flourished, and he was a big part of that. I think it’s still the part of his game where (he needs to) clean up (the most). The puck game, just making it more efficient, getting rid of little mistakes. But he’s always the type of guy (where) you want him to get up ice, you want to be able to use his shot and the offense side of the game is certainly a dimension that he can help us with.

At the same time, he’s got to be a guy — especially in the defensive zone, he’s a big guy, he’s strong, he can skate, he can do everything, it’s just a matter of the details and becoming a defender where coaches are going to trust you on the ice in the NHL.

Attard obviously got the late look with the big club in April of last season. But with the addition of Marc Staal to the mix – and the fact that Egor Zamula is no longer waiver exempt and therefore is probably making the club out of camp – it doesn’t appear there’s a clear spot for Attard available on the NHL roster. What would he have to do in order to make the big club out of camp? He’s obviously a bit on the older side at 24 now.

Yeah, well being a right shot certainly helps his case. But at the same time, it’s like I said, he needs to play an efficient game, zone exits need to be clean, getting out of his own end, and then playing a hard defensive game. And then, believe me, with his size, and all his tools, he’s a guy that our coaches are gonna gravitate towards him if he’s ready. If he’s ready, we’ll find a spot for him.

Devin Kaplan – F (No. 9 — tied)

What was your evaluation of Kaplan’s freshman season at BU? He had some hot stretches of point production, but still played more of a support role for the club. Satisfied with where he ended up?

Yeah, I think so. They did a good job there with all their young guys. They had to really earn (ice time). I think Kappy, he learned a lot. He took a lot of penalties early, which frustrated the coaches a little bit. It’s a fine line for him, because that’s part of his game, is being a power forward with an edge, and learning what you can get away with, because a lot of times he’s gonna be one of the bigger guys, every time he gets in a pushing match, he usually ends up in the box.

But, the pace of his play is coming. I think he’s worked hard at his game, and he should have a bigger role this year, and continue to grow. But overall, I thought the games I was at, at first glance, was really happy with his play.

Do you still view him as a prospect who is a couple years away from being ready to turn pro? When he was drafted, you noted that you expected the organization would be patient with him.

Yeah, my guess is he probably plays his junior year and (then) hopefully he’s ready (to turn pro). But to be honest with you, that’s up to him. If he has a big, big year this year maybe. But physically, he’s a lot more mature than a lot of guys who just because of his natural size and strength. He still has a frame where he’s gonna be able to put on probably 10 or 15 more pounds, but he’s bigger and stronger than most.

At the same time, I think playing a bigger role and having some offensive success and learning the game… I think he’s in a good program there where playing three or four years is not going to hurt his development. That’s for sure.

Elliot Desnoyers – F (No. 9 — tied)

Did Desnoyers’ offensive numbers in his first AHL season come as a surprise? I know the organization was high on him, but he ultimately led the Phantoms in goals last season, scoring three more than Foerster, who was drafted in his same year and was taken in the first round in large part because of his sniping ability.

I didn’t expect him to come in right away and do that, but his details are so good as far as where he scores his goals. He’s always around the blue paint. He’s fearless, he’s smart. I think even Lappy thought he’d be more like a third line guy to start, maybe fourth and then have to work his way up. And then he just kind of ran with it, and quickly became one of his more trustworthy centermen, a guy that he played in all situations.

The points were coming, but the other side of his game was still really good. He’s a kind of a coach’s favorite wherever he is, and hopefully that continues.

Is he the type of prospect who needs to be in an every-night role to make the NHL club? Or would you be willing to start him out as something of a 12/13^th forward in a rotation?

Yeah, I don’t really think that benefits any young guy, if he’s bouncing in and out, especially when our farm team is an hour and fifteen minutes down the road. But he’s a guy that got a taste of it, I think Torts liked what he saw and knows he’s knocking on the door.

But whether he’s ready this year, or needs another year of seasoning, that’ll be up to him. He’ll put his best foot forward, is my guess. His mindset is to come to make the team right now.