Top prospects for Philadelphia Flyers

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the Philadelphia Flyers, according to NHL.com.

1. Matvei Michkov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 7 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Sochi (KHL): 27 GP, 9-11-20

Michkov (5-foot-10, 172 pounds) has dazzling offensive ability that some scouts ranked second only to Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL Draft. But he lasted until the No. 7 selection because of the three-year contract he has with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Assistant general manager Brent Flahr said after meeting with the 18-year-old before the draft, the Flyers have full confidence Michkov will come to Philadelphia once he completes his KHL obligations.

"To see how excited he was and see him smile, hear him talk and look around the players' facilities and know some of the history and whatnot," Flahr said. "It was pretty cool and obviously just a comfort level that he wants to play in the NHL and he wants to be a star."

Michkov was selected with the expectation that he would play right wing, but he's played center during preseason games.

"I watched some of his shifts … and he looked really good," general manager Daniel Briere said. "He was really impressive in the [defensive] zone, how he came back and helped his defensemen, how supportive he was. I was impressed how he used his body on face-offs. He certainly didn't look out of place playing center."

Projected NHL arrival: 2026-27

2. Cutter Gauthier, F

How acquired: Selected with No 5 pick in 2022 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Boston College (NCAA): 32 GP, 16-21-37

Gauthier (6-2, 189) led Boston College in goals and points as a freshman. The 19-year-old will play one more NCAA season, but the Flyers envision him being ready to step into an NHL lineup after his college season ends.

"I think there's a lot there already," Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones said. "I think [a second college season] would be more about fine tuning. When I watch him, I see an NHL player who's going to be a very good NHL player."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Tyson Foerster, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 23 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: Philadelphia (NHL): 8 GP, 3-4-7; Lehigh Valley (AHL): 66 GP, 20-28-48

The 21-year-old made his NHL debut March 9, and after going without a point in his first three games, he had a point in five straight before being returned to Lehigh Valley for the AHL playoffs.

Foerster (6-2, 194) could earn a top-nine forward spot during training camp.

"I think the American League was great for him, playing in all different situations," Flahr said. "He's always known for scoring goals, but he really worked on the defensive side of the game as well, playing and holding onto the puck and creating offense, not just on the power play with his one-timer. I think he's a student of the game. He's a smart player and when he got his chance to play with NHL players he made the most of it."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

4. Oliver Bonk, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 22 pick in 2023 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: London (OHL): 67 GP, 10-30-40

Bonk (6-2, 180) was second in scoring among Ontario Hockey League rookie defensemen last season, and the 18-year-old is expected to have a bigger role this season. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flyers on Aug. 21.

"To see some of the things that he's able to do, yet you know two years from now he's going to be a much more impactful player, he'll be that much stronger and quicker, faster, growing into his body," Flahr said. "He's still a young man. Physically he's going to make huge strides this summer hopefully and then continue to get better. But as far as his intelligence and his ability to read the game and play both ends of the rink, it's really exciting. He's a guy that two, three years down the road is going to be hopefully an impactful player for us."

Projected NHL arrival: 2025-26

5. Emil Andrae, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 54 pick in 2020 NHL Draft

2022-23 season: HV 71 (SHL): 51 GP, 6-20-26; Lehigh Valley (AHL): 10 GP, 2-4-6

Andrae (5-9, 181) earned comparisons to former NHL All-Star Kimmo Timonen during development camp and the 21-year-old could push for NHL time in his first full season in North America.

"He's a very intelligent player," Flahr said. "He's very focused. He's shorter but he's very well built, strong physically, strong on his skates. And he's a smart defender, he moves the puck exceptionally well and he has an offensive dimension."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season