Flyers Prospects
Flyers’ Prospect Update
Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
14G, 24A, 39P in 29 games played
The Flyers’ 2024 first-round draft pick, Jett Luchanko, has experienced all types of hockey this season.
He began the year with the Flyers in the NHL and was sent back to the OHL to continue his development. Making the year even sweeter for Luchanko, he represented Canada at the World Juniors. He was named the captain of Guelph after the OHL trade deadline.
Flyers GM Daniel Briere was not happy with the amount of time Luchanko had during the tournament, saying he believed that Jett was one of the best skaters in the tournament.
Luchanko’s play this season has been exceptional. Guelph is in the OHL Western Conference basement, so Luchanko will likely be able to report to the Flyers after their season concludes on March 23rd.
Oliver Bonk, RHD, London Knights (OHL)
9G, 23A, 31P in 38 games played
Oliver Bonk is one of the Flyers’ top prospects and easily the best defensive prospect in Philly’s pool.
He has put together another solid year for the Knights, continuing to be a cornerstone of their success. Bonk earned the chance to represent Canada in the World Juniors. However, he was seemingly mismanaged in the tournament. He scored a goal and an assist in five games during the World Juniors.
Bonk is fresh off a 67-point season last year (24 G 43 A). If he continues to play at his current pace, Bonk is projected to finish the season with 13 goals and 32 assists for 45 total points in 55 games, per Elite Prospects.
Despite worse production in the 2024/25 season, Bonk still shows his promise as a talented young defenseman who could impact the Flyers with his defensive ability and offensive skill. Bonk, 20, could report to the AHL or the NHL after London’s season. However, that may be late, as London is expected to make a deep run again.
Denver Barkey, LW, London Knights (OHL)
20G, 47A, 67P in 43 games played
Denver Barkey was the Flyers’ third-round draft pick in the 2023 draft, in a Flyers’ class headlined by Matvei Michkov and Oliver Bonk. He may go down as one of the bigger steals of that draft.
In his first season as the Knights’ captain, Barkey is having another fantastic season, following his 102 (35G, 67A) point year last season. It has almost been a trend for the young forward. He plays well, is left off the Canadian World Juniors roster, and then goes on an absolute tear to the round of the year.
He is small–stands in at 5’10”, and weighs 171 pounds per the Knights’ roster. While his frame puts him on the smaller side, if he can bulk up, he could have a shot to be a solid NHLer. As for a current Flyers comparison, it is hard to look past Travis Konecny. He has been a comparison for Barkey for a while now. Barkey has been compared to Konecny in both play style and personality on the ice.
At 19 years old, Barkey is in his fourth season with the Knights, making him eligible for an exception to report to the AHL if the Flyers don’t have room for him once London’s season ends.
Alex Bump, LW, Western Michigan Broncos (NCAA)
13G, 18A, 31P in 27 games played
Alex Bump is arguably the Flyers’ best NCAA prospect. Drafted in the fifth round in 2022, Bump opted to go the college route and is in the middle of his second season with Western Michigan.
Bump played just under a point-per-game pace last year and is just above it this year. He is an alternate captain on a Bronco team that currently sits fifth in the PairWise. They expect to make it to the NCAA tournament this season. He is also a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in college hockey.
Bump has yet to be signed to his entry-level contract. Though it is unclear when his impact will be felt, Bump’s playmaking and off-puck ability will certainly give him a chance to report to the organization after the NCAA season, and he will undoubtedly make a run for a roster spot for next season.
Cole Knuble, C, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NCAA)
9G, 19A, 28P in 25 games played
Cole Knuble, the son of former Flyer Mike Knuble, is in his second season at Notre Dame. Like Bump, Kunble is also a nominee for the Hobey Baker Award.
The young Knuble is having another solid season for the Irish. While teammate Danny Nelson was at World Juniors, he gained valuable top-line center experience. He has since returned to his spot as the 2C.
Notre Dame’s postseason chances are slim. With the NCAA Tournament a stretch, their season will likely end after the Big Ten Tournament. While the center is a position of need, it would not shock me to see him back with the Irish next season. Drafted in 2023, Knuble still has two more seasons to play in the NCAA before the Flyers lose his rights.
Regardless of when his arrival will be, his development is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Barkey is so small. I live in London. Have been to may Knights games. Don’t expect anything other than a pretty good AHL player at the best
That’s all we typically expect from Flyers’ draft picks.
There are smallish players who have made their mark…Caufield, now Hutson and Gallagher from the Canadiens for example….BUT they were given plenty of opportunity not to fail. His ceiling IMO, however is a 3C.
Seen him play a few times in person and he looks like a stud middle 6 prospect. Maybe a yr w the phantoms and he can can contribute in 2 years. Nice pick.
Luchanko has the speed that the Flyers need. I would love to see him get some time with the team at the end of the season. I would like to see Bonk as well. The Flyers need a defensive defenseman. If the Flyers trade Risto, I think they need to get Bonk in the lineup late in the season after his season in the OHL is finished. Barkey’s height doesn’t bother me as much as his weight. Is he really only 157 pounds? I feel like he has to put on at least 20 pounds if that is the case.
London lists him at 171. Better, but not much. Still needs to bulk up. I guess that’s on me for looking at EP rather than the Knights website.