This is part one of a two-part series featuring the top 25 Philadelphia Flyers prospects with in-depth analysis. Stay tuned for the Top 15 feature to come following the top 25-16. After hours of extensive research on every Flyer prospect, dating back to late 2023 when I first began digging into the pipeline, I have compiled an in-depth outlook on the organization’s top 25 prospects following the NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada and heading into the 2024-25 season.
When considering a long-term goal that the Philadelphia Flyers’ front office has been upfront with, the future may seem rather promising. Among all 32 clubs, currently, the Flyers have the best goaltending pipeline and a top-15 prospect pool. However, the rebuild is still ongoing and far from over with work still to be done.
*All player statistics courtesy of eliteprospects.com
In The System:
Honourable Mentions:
Elliot Desnoyers, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
22 • LW • 5’11” / 183 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2022 fifth round, 135th overall pick.
Desnoyers, 22, is someone who has fallen out of the topic of conversation in regards to top prospects after a tough 2023-24 campaign. However, there is still some things of note that could replenish not only his own confidence but fans belief as well. He has a ton of speed paired with strong playmaking and is reliable in the defensive end.
Jon-Randall Avon, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
21 • C • 6’0″ / 174 Ibs • Left handed • Undrafted
One of the few natural centers in the pipeline with a decent frame. Jon-Randall Avon, 21, has incredible speed, can create scoring chances while in motion, and can contribute in various ways. He needs to work on his 200-foot game and add some muscle to make a true push for a roster spot in the NHL but he has the potential to become a quality forward, and can be utilized on the power play.
Olle Lycksell, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
24 • W/C • 5’11” / 176 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2017 sixth round, 168th overall pick.
Olle Lycksell, 24, is an undersized versatile forward with quality hands and is a well-rounded creative player. He has an accurate wrist shot and can create offense seamlessly. Lycksell has a scoring touch with reliable offensive potential. Time is running out for him to add some muscle and he still hasn’t had a significant spike in development to reach a middle-six floor but he would be a sustainable bottom-six presence.
Owen McLaughlin, Univ. of North Dakota (NCAA)
21 • C • 6’0″ / 161 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2021 seventh round, 206th overall pick.
Owen McLaughlin, 21, is a strong center who can battle in the draw despite being under 170 pounds. To make up for the loss in size, he will need to improve his skating and develop his overall game off the puck. Despite being a seventh-rounder, he has shown promise down the middle — in a pool that lacks depth.
Other Notable Names:
- Ethan Samson, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
- Adam Ginning, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
- Helge Grans, D, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
- Ryan MacPherson, C, Univ. of New Hampshire (NCAA)
- Zayde Wisdom, F, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
Top 25-16 Prospect Rankings:
25. Santeri Sulku, IPK (Mestis)
20 • LW/C • 6’4″ / 201 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2022 seventh round, 197th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: Unranked
At No. 25 on my list is Santeri Sulku, a 20-year-old player from Helsinki, Finland. He holds dual nationality from Finland and Sweden. Sulku is a promising power forward with a large build, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 201 pounds.
He is known for his smooth and aggressive skating style, confident shot, and ability to pick corners. Sulku has shown great potential in scoring goals and using his physical presence in certain areas on the ice. During his rookie season in Mestis, the second-highest men’s hockey league in Finland, he scored 17 goals, made 9 assists, and earned 26 points in 35 games. In the playoffs, he delivered 9 points with a plus-minus of seven in 11 games, showcasing his continued productivity and confidence.
Playing against older competition adds an overview of his production and why it is limited in some areas. He tends to score off the rush and loves cross-crease passing to produce scoring chances or tuck goals shortside himself. When not charging up the ice, Sulku positions himself in front of the net, using his size and positioning to create space, an aspect of his game that he should work on improving.
One downside to his game is that he can be pushed off the puck and is unable to fully utilize his greatest strengths, which impacts his productivity on the score sheet. His strengths are more of a mindset rather than anything concrete. Offensively, Sulku is eager to shoot pucks from any angle and often generates effective offense.
The main concern about Sulku as a prospect is his lack of intensity when he doesn’t have the puck. He tends to wait for passes and remove himself from plays, which is especially detrimental because his size could be extremely valuable in the dirtier areas of the ice.
He needs to utilize his size more effectively in physical play and to create separation. His shooting, skating, and puck-handling skills are all above average, although not exceptional. However, he does not use them often enough to leverage himself when he could be using size and vision effectively to do so. On a positive note, he’s known for being a versatile player, having played at all forward positions throughout juniors. As he transitions to higher levels, Sulku will need to add more muscle into his game.
24. Austin Moline, Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
18 • D • 6’5″ / 201 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2024 seventh round, 205th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: N/A
Coming in at No. 24, Las Vegas, Nevada native, Austin Moline, 18, is the first 2024 NHL Draft pick featured on the rankings. Standing at 6-foot-5, 201 pounds he is hard to miss. Moline’s physicality is the first thing people tend to pick up on, along with his ability to use his long reach on the back end and create space on the forecheck.
He is a big speedy offensive-minded defenseman, with a lot of drive despite the larger frame. Whenever there is a chance, Moline is right up with the play in full sprint on the weak side or as a trailer. If and when he gets in close enough Moline can find the net often but from the outside, he needs to develop a harder shot.
He will play out his 2024-25 season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the Brooks Bandits before taking his talents to the NCAA and attending Northern Michigan University in the fall of 2025-26. Before really getting into the nitty gritty, there may not be much to get excited about. However, his size plays a huge role throughout, He uses his body to put pressure on opposing players and force mistakes.
Moline is by no means hesitant to contribute in the offense end, he notes his passing as the best aspect of his game, and tying that together with his mobile skating, stable edges, in-tight scoring touch and physicality, he has the tools to be a future NHL defenseman. All attributes which notched him 27 assists and 35 points during his draft year at Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep.
23. Alexis Gendron, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
20 • RW/C • 5’10” / 181 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2022 seventh round, 220th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: 22
Alexis Gendron, 20, has faced adversity in the last three years of his junior career. From splitting time between three Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) teams to seeing little time in the American Hockey League (AHL) in two calendar years, Gendron has battled and was rewarded in the end.
He provides versatility and skill; he does not steer away from the competition and is not afraid to get into dirty areas. His production and compete level are not something you typically see out of a late-round pick.
Since being drafted in 2022, he played his draft year with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL, followed by another season and a half before joining the Gatineau Olympiques in the late going of the 2022-23 season. Gendron continued to post encouraging numbers and got the call-up to the AHL due to his late birthday at the age of 19, (typically prospects may not play in the AHL till they’re 20 years old) because of it.
However, after an up-and-down short rookie campaign in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with limited ice time and being thrown on the fourth line, he was sent back to the QMJHL to play out the rest of the season for Drummondville Voltigeurs where he flourished and won the QMJHL Championship.
Gendron is a goal-scoring threat from anywhere on the ice paired with his quick feet, he makes for a true speedster with an eye from all angles and a knack for finding holes. Between his four years in the juniors, his stats contribute a lot when considering his scoring touch. He racked up 104 goals with 55 assists for 159 points through 176 games, with an additional 47 points in 43 Playoff games.
The only blaring critique is his playmaking ability and overall 200-foot game needs more seasoning. Nonetheless, he can be a reliable helping hand on special teams, can feed passes through heavy traffic, and has a decent off-puck presence — anticipates the game well. Despite being on the smaller side at 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, he does pack a punch and plays the game the proper way to make an impact as an undersized forward. He has an outstanding hockey IQ and relies on his creativity to generate offense.
22. Cole Knuble, Univ. of Notre Dame (NCAA)
20 • C/RW • 5’11” / 185 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2023 fourth round, 103rd overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: Unranked
One of many first-timers on my list is Cole Knuble, 20, at No. 24 after nearly missing the cut last year. Cole is following in the footsteps of his father Mike Knuble, a former well-known Flyer himself. He is a physical, dominant net-front presence at 5-foot-11, 185 pounds. Knuble competes to the level his father did in the orange and black, making up for lack of size. He is a quick decision-maker capable of creating scoring chances from all areas of the offensive zone, adding great hockey IQ to his game.
When he arrived at Notre Dame, his offensive production, which was so noticeable in the USHL, faded as he appeared overwhelmed but slowly got his wits about him and focused on his defensive side and ability to play a two-way game.
He saw his lowest production in his freshman year in the NCAA for the University of Notre Dame but picked things up in the second half of the season and looks to build off of the confidence he regained.
He has soft hands in tight or to pass defenders, accommodated by bursts of speed to create offense or backcheck. Although the speed is present, Knuble needs to build on his transition game when leaving the defensive end or carrying the puck through the neutral zone.
With Knuble, despite only posting 9 goals and 20 points in 36 games with lengthy point droughts in between he did all the little things right and still found a way to contribute. Improving his skating would go a long way for Knuble, which is an area that may hurt his chances of making the jump to the pro level.
He is projected as a bottom-six forward at the NHL level which could prove crucial to the Flyers’ depth charts. The other part of his game that blossoms is his willingness to get to the net. During battles in front of the net, he is strong enough to stay in position and has good enough hands to deflect pucks as he screens the goaltender. He may not be the biggest player on the ice, but he doesn’t let bigger defenders push him around as he continuously fights for space.
21. Devin Kaplan, Boston University (NCAA)
20 • RW • 6’2″ / 198 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2022 third round, 69th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: 15
Devin Kaplan, 19, has a rare combination of size, speed, and talent and he reaches the mark in all three categories. He can be used anywhere in the lineup and has the tools to be a multi-category two-way difference-maker in the NHL.
Kaplan does more than what is written on the score sheet or listed on his EliteProspects page, and even though he can score and put points on the board, his standout strength is his transition game. When he has the puck on his stick he is a very good small-area puck-handler while staying composted when carrying up the ice. He has good edges to pass through the neutral zone with exceptional awareness and top speed. He is also crafty in the defensive end, he can quickly box in opponents, cutting off a shooting lane or forcing them to the outside wall.
He has a knack for planting himself in the slot and looking for a pass or creating space, especially on the power play — acting as the bumper. When he is found between the hashmarks, he rarely holds onto the puck for long. It is either a quick tip pass-off or a shot on goal. This is where he thrives with a confident one-timer and hard shot.
When it comes to getting his legs under him, he utilizes powerful crossovers to create speed for more time and space, something that has seen improvement over the last year with still some room for development — patience will have to be a virtue with Kaplan, as players his size tend to take longer to reach their potential. Despite his size, he is well-disciplined, with only 34 penalty minutes in 2023-24 and 83 PIM in his collegiate career.
Heading into his Junior year having been named alternate captain for the 2024-25 campaign, Kaplan has proved to be a leader and a consistent forward at Boston University. Having posted similar 22-point seasons in two years and 77 games under his belt, he feels confident enough to take the next step in further developing his game. Of those 77 games, he has scored 15 goals with 31 assists for 46 points and a 24 plus-minus.
20. Ilya Pautov, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
18 • RW • 5’11” / 168 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2024 sixth round, 173rd overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: N/A
Ilya Pautov, 18 years old, was an off-the-board pick for a lot of people but it shouldn’t be a surprise considering the team that called his name. The Flyers love their undersized players, Denver Barkey being a clear example, who stands at 5-foot-9. Pautov is a small skilled Russian forward with two inches on Barkey but needs to get his legs under him to see more improvement.
He has good hands and a creative mind, but his skating mechanics, particularly for a smaller player, must improve. He often looks for an outlet pass or an open lane rather than firing the puck from far out but when the puck is on his stick anywhere in the offensive zone there is no telling what kind of tricks he may have up his sleeve.
In the 2023-24 season, he put together 45 points in 46 games for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva in the Molodyozhnaya Hokkeinaya Liga (MHL), leading the team in assists (30), finishing fifth in scoring (15) and second in points. The main thing going for him right now is his silky hands and what he is capable of with the puck. He constantly maneuvers defenders and uses his body to evade opponents, although not very physical, something that has improved significantly in his development.
He is fairly tight with his movements, rarely over-extends, and is strong in-close beating goalies and defenders one-on-one. He is constantly in motion making him a natural scoring threat, toe-dragging around, forcing his way through the opponent or cutting between defenders.
If Pautov wants to be a successful NHL player, he has a lot of work to do and will need to fill out significantly. He is extremely skilled with elite hands and great vision allowing him to process the game at a high level.
Furthermore, he accelerates at high speeds but still needs to work on his overall edge work and power. He will need to find another motor to make up for the lack of size to be successful in North America but he has no urgent mechanical issues and is so fluid and deliberate with his movements that there are some clear positives already shining through.
19. Hunter McDonald, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
22 • D • 6’4″ / 205 Ibs • Left handed • Drafted: 2022 sixth round, 165th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: 16
There is a lot to like about Hunter McDonald, 22, who was fresh out of Northeastern University and made his AHL debut to close out the 2023-24 season. The Flyers higher-ups have been very supportive of McDonald and his development, especially President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones. He may not be as exciting as his predecessors but he rounds out with a complete game that will blend well with high-end talent.
He is a big-bodied shutdown defenseman with reliable skating who utilizes his frame nicely, making for an aggressive blueliner with some offensive upside. He is confident along the boards and around the net, using his edges and looking for outlet passes or using his surroundings as blockades.
McDonald has already dealt with a fair share of injuries, he suffered an undisclosed injury one game into the 2023-24 college season and was sidelined until Christmas break which set him back significantly. However, he told FlyersNittyGritty he was healthy prior but took the extra time upon doctor’s orders to make sure he was 100% ready to go again. Then during his AHL debut, he was out again after one shift.
Injuries may draw as a concern in the future if this sort of pattern continues, which is expected considering his style of game and size. He is a throwback defenseman, old-school, something the NHL rarely sees anymore. So if his body can keep up there may be some longevity in his career.
Former Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher drafted McDonald as a safe sizable defenseman, never meant to be a point producer or make a lot of noise in the offensive zone. Instead, he has shown some offensive skill at times and is a team player, not making himself a liability on the ice and has become more disciplined, staying out of the penalty box with more experience. He could be a huge piece over the next few years and turn some heads at training camp this fall, literally and figuratively.
18. Noah Powell, Ohio State University (NCAA)
19 • RW • 6’2” / 201 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2024 fifth round, 148th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: N/A
Noah Powell, 19, was a re-entry into the draft this year, making him an overage out of the USHL after a much-needed improved season for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Not only does Powell face challenges as a late-round pick, but he is also functionally deaf. However, it is hard to pick up on and he does not let it define him or his game.
He proved that by leading the Fighting Saints and the entire league in scoring with 43 goals and 74 points in 61 games, and he also performed well at camp along with the other new draftees. After closing out his USHL tenure shy of 100 points in two years, he will head to Ohio State University in the fall of 2024-25 to begin his NCAA career.
Powell is an interesting prospect with tons to offer, but it is a matter of bringing it all together to be a consistent winger at higher levels. He is not afraid to get physical, get into dirty areas, or drop the gloves — some great qualities that Flyers fans and brass can both appreciate. He could be a full package with a great skill set, a noticeable body, good hands, and a presence on the ice that can’t be ignored.
He can keep plays alive with an aggressive forecheck and strong puck battles. Once he gets going, it is hard to stop him, but his mechanical skating needs some adjusting. He has a knack for scoring highlight-reel goals and being a creative artist with the puck.
Powell compliments his 6-foot-2, 201-pound frame well with a heavy game down low in the corners or front of the net. Not only does he have a well-rounded shot, he gets around the net and can score goals in a multitude of ways.
17. Ronnie Attard, Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
25 • D • 6’3″ / 207 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2019 third round, 72nd overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: 8
Ronnie Attard, 25, is heading into what will be his fifth year in the Flyers system as a third-round pick in 2019 with only 29 NHL games to show for it — 15 of them coming from his abbreviated rookie season. In 2021-22, he jumped right into the NHL fresh out of Western Michigan University and was presented with a small sample size of 15 games with two goals and two assists. Since then he has not seen that many games in an NHL season nor has he provided the same amount of offense in those short stints.
Looking to make a mark, Attard began the 2022-23 season with the Flyers, but played only two games and then viewed from the press box for a handful of games before spending the rest of the season in Lehigh Valley where he provided 20 assists and 32 points in 68 games.
Despite the shortcomings at the pro level, Attard has proved to be a key piece for the Phantoms, not only does he provide offense but also fills in lanes in the defensive end and plays a hyper-aggressive type game that forces him to adapt to different situations, which he does not back down from.
Attard has a strong leadership presence which has been present throughout his junior career, being named team captain in Tri-City (USHL) and an alternate captain during his senior year at Western Michigan. Especially now more than ever, being one of the older prospects in the Phantoms’ locker room. He carries a big voice on and off the ice while also holding his own, not afraid to throw the body or drop the gloves if necessary.
He still carries some upside at 25 years old and would be a great second/third-pairing defenseman who can play both sides and act as a good alternative on special teams. He is an offensive-minded, large-framed defenseman, and while his defensive game is still a work in progress, he shows potential to develop into a multi-category defenseman.
Attard is still a valuable piece to the organization, provided he has not had an extensive look at the NHL level, for a plethora of reasons. There are still some things that jump off the page when watching him play but in order to make a lasting impression he will need to hone in on those abilities during training camp and throughout the season if he wants to earn a spot and find a way into an already-packed lineup.
16. Spencer Gill, Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
17 • D • 6’4″ / 185 Ibs • Right handed • Drafted: 2024 second round, 59th overall pick.
THN 2023-24 Ranking: N/A
Another new face entering the fold is Spencer Gill, 17, out of Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada. He has a massive height advantage at a young age but will need to fill out over the next few years to have a somewhat withstanding frame. Gill was among the youngest players in his class, which the Flyers gravitated towards throughout the 2024 draft.
Despite the average two-year age gap between his opponents, Gill is still very aggressive and competitive, which he picked up from growing up with two brothers. After two years in the QMJHL and representing Team Canada at the WHC-17 and WJC-18, he has shown potential and improved over the last year.
He had an explosive jump in points this year, going from 4 points in 41 games in his rookie year, with less ice time and looking shaky to being more composed in his second stint, earning top minutes and racking up 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists) in 65 games.
Due to his tall stature, Gill looks awkward or rough around the edges at times, but he is a crucial back-end piece and he exploits the opposition in the defensive end. He will join the rush or help carry the puck up the ice but is not explosive, which should not necessarily be expected of him.
It is not all about points for Gill but he is productive on both sides of the puck, with a strong shot bringing a high reliable upside on all fronts. He moves his body well and is poised with or without possession. He pushes himself to better in all areas, a dynamic presence who is noticeable in all three zones, by anticipating plays and holding the line. He will not back off but rather push in to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
Gill has a high hockey IQ, and agility for his size, although not extremely quick, he keeps his legs under him and creates deep cuts with his edges. He excels at creating open lanes, manipulating the opposition during transitions, and forcing defenders back when entering the offensive zone, something he tries to prevent himself. He can read and anticipate plays at an NHL level, knowing when to join the offensive attack and when to hone in on defense without being overly aggressive.
