3 dynamic prospects who will help fuel the Flyers reset in 2024-25
The Philadelphia Flyers are still in playoff contention, but they are also on the cusp of a retooling. So, let’s talk about a few high-end prospects who may help fuel it.
The Philadelphia Flyers remain in a top-three spot in what has been a rather pedestrian Metropolitan Division, where teams like the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders remain within striking distance, albeit an ultra-rough stretch for the latter.
That said, Philadelphia will keep playing meaningful games this month before general manager Daniel Briere ultimately resets this average roster and puts his stamp on the team. He already traded away pieces at the deadline earlier in the month, foreshadowing what is likely to come for the offseason.
While the Flyers could make another run next season thanks to the number of contracts slated to expire at forward following the 2024-25 season, there is a good chance they make some trades while these players are at a higher value.
They also have two aging blueliners in Erik Johnson and Marc Staal who won’t be around next season, and a major trade piece in Scott Laughton after he wasn’t dealt at the deadline. Thanks to the potential exodus, there is a good chance a batch of players from their exciting prospects pool will get an extended look in the NHL next season.
Flyers have a solid prospects pool they can turn to in 2024-25
Given the number of youngsters on the roster like Noah Cates, Morgan Frost (despite seeing his name in trade rumors near the deadline), Bobby Brink, Tyson Foerster, Olle Lyksell, Cam York, Adam Ginning, Ronnie Attard, Yegor Zemula, and Samuel Ersson, the Flyers are already building a solid future, assuming those mentioned above who will be restricted free agents all return.
Not all of the names have played in the lineup full-time, but with an incoming retool - hard to call it an actual rebuild - there is a good chance those who haven’t done so yet will play their first full season with the big club in 2024-25. But there are a few names not currently part of the active roster as of March 25th who are also prime candidates to join them next season.
You may not see those listed in the following slides as members of the big club from Day 1. But there is a good chance they will play half the year in Philadelphia (or longer) should their respective stocks keep trending north.
Emil Andrae is ready to take another step
Emil Andrae saw some time with the Flyers earlier this season, playing in four games and recording a minus-1 on the stat sheet. But the former second-round pick has continually displayed a two-way game, dating back to his days in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan.
He saw time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season, recording six points and two goals in 10 games before breaking out this season with 30 points and four goals in 50 games through March 21st.
Though undersized at 5’9, 181 lbs, don’t let that fool you, as he’s withstood roughly 23 minutes per game with the Phantoms. Considering the overall physical nature that the AHL brings, that’s impressive, but so is his overall reckless abandon, patience, and positioning.
While he predictably logged third-pairing minutes throughout his four games with the Flyers, Andrae also landed five body checks and six blocks. Adjust that to an 82-game slate, and Andrae’s blocking 123 shots and finishing 103 checks.
Since he saw some action in the NHL back in October, Andrae is already on the radar to make the jump next season. He only needs to show off that two-way game in camp against a couple of A-squads, and he will find his way into the lineup.
Elliot Desnoyers is a prime candidate to join the Flyers later next season
Another prospect who saw ice time with the Flyers in the past, Elliot Desnoyers, could carve a spot for himself on the final roster. But it’s more likely that he will find a place in the lineup later next season, likely following the trade deadline, unless he enjoys a major jump in production.
It was there for Desnoyers last year when he had 23 goals and 44 points in 63 games. But that productivity regressed in his second season with the Phantoms, scoring just four goals and 18 points through 53 contests, good for just 0.33 points per game.
He will be in a contract season in 2024-25, so expect the former fifth-round pick to up his game as he looks to show he’s not just worthy of staying in the system but getting an extended look with the big club. Desnoyoers, however, has his fair share of attributes, such as the ability to float between center and wing, take faceoffs in all situations, and you see his work ethic in every shift.
If the Flyers are down a lower-liner or two next season and if Desnoyers enjoys a bounceback season, look for him to earn more minutes at the NHL level.
Samu Tuomaala is a player you can’t count out in 2024-25
Samu Tuomaala was one prospect I didn’t want to see the Flyers package into a trade if they were interested in buying at the deadline, thanks to the overall improvement he’s made this season. Like Desnoyers, he’s not going to play on the big club early in the season unless he’s so impressive in camp he leaves the front office and coaching staff with no choice but to give him a chance to stick around come October.
More likely, Tuomaala will be sent back to the Phantoms and continue to build on his remarkable transition to North America. In 61 contests, Tuomaala has 41 points and 14 goals, but his rebound started in Finland last season when he was still with Kettera. And if the parlay continues in 2024-25, he’s at least getting a trial toward the end of the season.
If all goes well for Tuomaala and the other prospects listed above, look for the Flyers to inch closer to building what has already become an ultra-exciting core in the City of Brotherly Love. No, they probably won’t compete next season like they did this year, and let’s tamper expectations for 2025-26. But when Briere keeps all the players mentioned in this slideshow together long-term, the 2026-27 group will be ready to compete.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Elite Prospects)