NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the top five prospects for the Philadelphia Flyers, according to NHL.com.
[Flyers 32 in 32: Season preview | 3 Questions | Fantasy breakdown]
1. Cam YorkD
How acquired: Selected with no. 14th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Lehigh Valley (AHL): 34 GP, 2-10-12; Philadelphia (NHL): 30 GP, 3-7-10
York (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) has the hockey IQ and skill needed to play in the NHL, but at the beginning of last season the Flyers felt the 21-year-old still needed to get stronger to handle the rigors of the NHL.
He showed that growth last season, and assistant general manager Brent Flahr said he was impressed by how York looked at development camp in July.
“From the end of the season to where he is now and where he’ll be at [training] camp, I think he’s going to be that much stronger,” Flahr said. “I think he’s moving better. He’s more comfortable coming into the League. He’s got a taste of it, he knows where he has to get to. I think we’re hoping and assuming that he’ll take that jump here this year.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
Video: NYR@PHI: York breaks tie in 3rd period
2. Cutter GauthierF
How acquired: Selected with no. 5 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: USA U-18 (NTDP): 54 GP, 34-31-65
Gauthier was a standout at left wing but will move to center, his natural position, as a freshman at Boston College this season.
The Flyers are excited to see what the 18-year-old can do as he re-learns some of the nuances of the position.
“It’s going to take some time to learn the little details, but obviously with the size (6-2, 189), the speed, the physical gifts he has, it should be a fairly easy transition,” Flahr said. “We stress patience with him because he’s very ambitious, he wants to get there now, and part of the process is learning to play the right way and manage the offensive expectations with the other details that playing the center position involves.”
Projected NHL arrival: 2024-25 season
3. Tyson FoersterF
How acquired: Selected with no. 23 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Lehigh Valley (AHL): 9 GP, 2-1-3; Barrie (OHL): 13 GP, 6-5-11
Foerster was limited to 22 games between the American Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League last season after having surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder in November. He returned in March and had a solid finish to his season, and the Flyers were impressed with how the 20-year-old looked during development camp. Missing so much time likely means he starts the season in the AHL, but with new coach John Tortorella arriving with a blank slate, Foerster (6-2, 194) could work himself into a spot in the NHL.
“He’s a confident kid, he likes to shoot the puck and score goals,” Flahr said. “He’s got that swagger. He’s a kid that doesn’t lack confidence in his abilities. … ‘Torts’ doesn’t know him from a-hole-in-the-wall except for what we told him, so for him to come in and show well, it’s just going to accelerate the process.”
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
4. Noah CatesF
How acquired: Selected with no. 137 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Minnesota Duluth (NCAA): 37 GP, 11-13-24; Philadelphia (NHL): 16 GP, 5-4-9
Cates (6-1, 165) impressed with his hockey IQ and versatility after the 23-year-old signed a two-year, entry-level contract March 27.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” Flahr said. “He does all the little things right. All the things young players struggle with, he seems to have that grasp. … He’s a kid that’s such a smart player, he can play in defensive situations, he generated offense, he can play with good players. He can do a lot of things that really help a team.”
Projected NHL arrival: This season
5. Bobby BrinkF
How acquired: Selected with no. 34 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Denver (NCAA): 41 GP, 14-43-57; Philadelphia (NHL): 10 GP, 0-4-4
Brink (5-8, 166) likely will be out until January after having surgery in July to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. But the 21-year-old impressed enough after signing a three-year, entry-level contract on April 10 that he would have been a favorite to start the season in a top-nine role.
“He’s such a smart player, he’s such a competitive kid, that he’s going to find a way,” Flahr said. “NHL players that didn’t know him got to know him quickly and liked playing with him. He’s got to learn some things too about the NHL level and being able to play every night as far as pace and whatnot. He’s a kid that is such a smart and competitive kid that he’ll figure it out.”
Projected NHL arrival: Next season
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