At six feet tall and 195 lbs, Karsen Dorwart can add much-desired size to the Flyers' offensive corps, which is somewhat smaller compared to other teams throughout the league. The centerman completed his college career after his junior season, bringing his NCAA stats to 92 points (38 G, 54 A) in 111 games. Impressively, he tallied 11 power-play, two shorthanded, and seven game-winning goals in three seasons for Michigan State University.
As for the 2024-25 season, Dorwart led MSU with five powerplay and three game winning goals. The Oregon native was also an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season. In his sophomore season (2023-24), Dorwart was named assistant captain of the Spartans, thus speaking to his leadership abilities as well.
In an age where size isn't absolutely crucial to the success of NHL forwards, it most definitely helps. Although the Flyers have been known to draft, acquire, and value undersized forwards (Denver Barkey, Bobby Brink, Jett Luchanko), they are in desperate need of size at both the wing and center positions. One can say that their only power forwards are Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and perhaps Garnet Hathaway.
To say the least, Tippett is underperforming this season. For a player who is one of the fastest and most explosive in the NHL, he hasn't been able to utilize his speed to convert on scoring chances. Foerster has shown exciting flashes of what his role ideally will be as a top-six forward, but he is still only in his second year in the NHL. Hathaway is one heck of a fourth liner and arguably has more offensive upside than most "grinders", but he likely isn't part of the long-term plan for Danny Briere's Flyers.
Nikita Grebenkin, the left-wing the Flyers acquired in the Scott Laughton trade, is 6'2" and 210 lbs. He's already been making his presence known in the AHL with five points (3G, 2A) in six games and has a substantial shot at making the NHL roster out of training camp. This is arguably the only forward with "size" that is coming through the prospect pipeline in the immediate future for the Flyers.
As for upside, most prospect analysts are expecting Dorwart's "ceiling" to be a fourth-line center. Seeing as though Cates has proven he can perhaps be a long-term 3C, the Flyers will be looking for a reliable 4C with offensive upside. Could Dorwart fill this role? Time will tell, as the 22-year-old is also eligible to begin his professional career with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Regardless of his age, Dorwart has shown he does have some offensive weapons in his arsenal.
Okay, Karsen Dorwart. pic.twitter.com/fEoeyIBfyS
— TLY (@TheLibertyYell) March 28, 2025
For now, Flyers fans' appetite for elite talent has been satisfied by Matvei Michkov's recent offensive surge. But next season will be here soon enough, and the Flyers are in desperate need of consistent offense and talent in general, especially at the center position. Dorwart is expected to practice with the Flyers on Wednesday and make his debut on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Although the reasons to watch the Flyers are dwindling as the season has become meaningless from a standings perspective, it'll be exciting to see an infusion of young talent on the ice in Montreal.