Denver Barkey has solidified his spot with the Flyers for the foreseeable future, and reports point to him likely staying with the NHL club through the rest of the 2025-26 regular season (barring any major changes like injuries or performance dips).
The 20-year-old forward (drafted 95th overall in 2023) was recalled from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms on December 19, 2025, initially to fill roster needs around the holiday freeze and injuries (like to Christian Dvorak or Tyson Foerster). He’s far exceeded expectations:
- He’s played in around 16-20 NHL games so far (2 goals, 7 assists, 9 points in one update, with solid underlying play)
- He’s earned top-six minutes, power-play time, and lines with guys like Sean Couturier and Owen Tippett (or Matvei Michkov in some shifts)
- Head Coach Rick Tocchet and General Manager Danny Briere have praised his hockey IQ, effort, and ability to handle the NHL pace despite his smaller frame (5’10, ~175 lbs). He’s described as “making a case to remain” and “skating like he belongs.”
- The vibe I’m getting from the organization is that he’s forcing the Flyers’ hand to keep him up, rather than sending him down for more AHL time or the AHL All-Star Classic (he was named but his NHL play takes priority)
While nothing is 100% guaranteed, his strong play, the Flyers’ need for forward depth, and the positive evaluations make it highly likely he sticks around. He’s been a bright spot in a rebuilding/competitive Flyers season. If you’re following him closely, his trajectory is exciting—fast-tracked from prospect to contributor.
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