There was a time when the Flyers were commended for having one of the top prospect pools in the league. They were stacked with talent and had bright futures ahead of them. Jump back nearly 10 years, and the Flyers' prospect pool was ranked No. 1.
In 2017, names like Nolan Patrick, Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Noah Cates were waiting to make their mark in the NHL. All four later played large roles, with all but Patrick on the team to this day. Their ranking fluctuated over the next few years, largely due to the players who graduated to the NHL level.
Chuck Fletcher took over as General Manager in 2018, replacing Ron Hextall. Early in his tenure, he added talented players to the pipeline. Joel Farabee played nearly seven seasons with the Flyers. Sam Ersson has flashed signs of being a top goaltender. Cam York has had some rocky years, but still projects as a top-four defenseman. And Tyson Foerster could be a lethal scorer in the near future.
Things began to slip around 2021 and 2022. The Flyers didn't have a first-round pick in 2021, taking Samu Tuomaala with their second-round pick. His development has gone up and down, leading to questions about his fit. Cutter Gauthier seemed like the perfect pick in 2022, until he soured on the organization and was later traded.
Alex Bump, taken in the fifth round of that draft, could end up being a steal, similar to Cates in 2017. It could be a bit early to define those drafts, as some of those picks have appeared with the Phantoms. However, not many have brought excitement. And with the lack of success the Flyers had, they would make a change in 2023.
And that is where the tenure of Danny Briere begins. Taking over in March as the interim GM and later promoted to permanent GM two months later, early results have shown that Briere is willing to take risks and make bold moves to restock the pipeline. It's too early to make a definitive statement about his work, but the Flyers have largely been complimented for his work.
Briere's first draft as the Flyers General Manager
Briere wasted no time in making a splash at the 2023 NHL Draft. Though he can thank the six teams ahead of him for letting Matvei Michkov fall so far. Thought to be one of the top prospects available, many teams were afraid of his contract situation in the KHL. There was fear that he might never come to North America.
The Flyers were not one of those teams. They snatched him up with the seventh overall pick. News followed later that the team had actually met with him secretly at their training center in Voorhees. Looks like Briere knew what he was doing there. And they would get Michkov far ahead of schedule as he debuted this past season.
None of the other 2023 picks have made their debut, but there is a lot of excitement for the players who followed. Yegor Zavragin is the top goaltending prospect for the Flyers and has put up stellar numbers in the KHL. His arrival is uncertain due to his contract, but he could be a legitimate starter if all goes well. Carson Bjarnason is another goaltending prospect who brings size and athleticism. He should have the starting role for the Phantoms this upcoming season.
Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey will also be making their professional debuts. Barkey has lit up the OHL in recent years, while Bonk's offensive play as a defenseman has intrigued many about what he can do. Cole Kuble's sophomore year at Notre Dame was a success. Alex Ciernik, who has battled injuries, is heading back overseas and will be playing for Sami Kapanen. Hopefully, he can get back on track.
The Flyers did let Carter Sotheran and Matteo Mann go, but hitting on late-round picks isn't always a guarantee.
Briere's bold moves followed him in 2024
Briere continued to prove that he wasn't afraid to take risks at the 2024 NHL Draft. Trading down in the first round, the Flyers would take Jett Luchanko with the 13th overall selection. Many questioned this move as there were other talents left on the board. Luchanko's stock had risen late in the season, and Briere believed he was the right selection.
Luchanko did debut with the team that season, though he was sent back after only four games. However, that had more to do with the state of the team than his play. He will have another chance to crack the roster this season. Going back to Guelph wouldn't be the worst thing, but the Storm aren't exactly brimming with talent.
The Flyers added more size with Jack Berglund, considered to be a reach of a pick at the time. Though some of that was taken away once the Flyers found out he was wearing skates nearly two sizes too big. Regardless, it has been an interesting time trying to project what he can be because he has played all over the place in Sweden. Sticking at the SHL level for an entire season will be key.
Spencer Gill has many divided on where he ranks in the Flyers system. Some have him as a top prospect, while most others have him in the middle of the pack. Gill had another strong season, leading the way in points amongst defenders for Rimouski. An ankle injury took him out late in the year, and his team certainly suffered because of it. And while he was traded to the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, his large role shouldn't change.
Size was evident in 2025
While Briere assured the Flyers weren't looking for size specifically in 2025, the results speak for themselves. Nearly all of their picks sit above 6'0" and many have been commended for their physicality. The Flyers started strong with Porter Martone, who immediately jumped to the top of the team's prospect list. His combination of skill and snarl is evident.
Once again, not afraid to make the risky move, Briere traded two first-round picks to grab Jack Nesbitt with the 12th selection. This move was immediately met with criticism, but it was another example of the Flyers taking a player who rose in the rankings late in the season. It wasn't one factor that led to them drafting Nesbitt, but rather a combination of his size, grit, playmaking ability, and scoring.
Concerns about his skating have arisen, with Nesbitt admitting it as well. But there appears to be a belief that adding more muscle will help even that out. Hopefully, Briere's gamble will pay off once more.
Carter Amico's injury caused him to fall down the draft boards as he was originally seen as a first-round talent. He could be a high-upside pick if his development gets back on track at Boston. The biggest point of emphasis will be his health. After that, it will be about taking gradual steps that could eventually turn him into a tough defenseman to play against. The Flyers could benefit from his fall.
Shane Vansaghi is a Rick Tocchet-like player, showing no fear in laying players out. His role at Michigan was limited as a freshman, but he flashed potential when playing up in the lineup. Jack Murtagh and Matthew Gard move well for players of their stature. Both have concerns about how they see the ice, but could overcome that with their other skills.
This draft alone brought the Flyers back up to a near top-five prospect pool (subscription required). There is still plenty of work to do to rebuild the organization, but with Briere at the helm, the Flyers are on the right track.