Flyers 2023 Draftees: A Closer Look

After selecting Matvei Michkov seventh overall and Oliver Bonk with the 22nd overall selection of the 2023 NHL Draft, Flyers looked to system depth, especially in blueline size and goaltending depth. Up front, the organization tabbed a grinding winger with good hands and a familiar last name, along with a couple of undersized but speedy and skilled forwards.

"Time will tell how these young players develop but we're pretty excited with the group we were able to add in the Draft this year," Flyers general manager Danny Briere said.

When it comes to drafting and development, the focus is not on which players are the closest to being ready to play at the pro level (whether NHL or AHL). Rather it's the long-term that matters. Beyond the ultra-talented Michkov, the Flyers believe their 2023 crop has the potential to produce multiple players who eventually appear in the NHL.

The following is a player-by-player rundown of each of the 10 prospects the Flyers selected in the 2023 Draft. You'll notice that terms such high-energy, strong competitiveness, and above-average skating ability are used to describe most of the players. That was by design. While Michkov may prove to be the only star to superstar level future NHLer, the Draft crop as a whole holds the promise of being the starting point for several players who go on to enjoy substantial pro careers if they approach their projected ceilings.

1st round, 7th overall: Matvei Michkov (RW)

Birthdate: December 9, 2004
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 172 pounds
Nationality: Russian
Shoots: Left
2022-23 clubs: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL), HC Sochi (KHL)
2023-24 club: SKA St Petersburg
2022-23 stats: 29 GP, 9 G, 11 A, 20 points (Sochi)

The skinny: Plain and simple. the Flyers took a swing for the fences on the electrifying Russian offensive talent. For an in-depth look, click here.

Strengths: Speed, creativity, elusiveness, hands.
Needs work: Defensive awareness, frustration vs. tight checking

Quoteable: "Matvei's been a world class player since he came on the scene a number of years ago. We didn't get the live viewings, but we spent a lot of time watching over the last few years. We are just really excited to get this type of talent. It does not happen very often, We got to meet with him in Voorhees last Friday and got a comfort level with his personality. He's very driven. He wants to be the best. We are excited for him to be a Flyer. Meeting him here again with the entire staff, everybody got a comfort level. We are just really fired up to get him.".

-- Brent Flahr, Flyers Vice President and Assistant General Manager. "

1st Round 1, 22nd overall: Oliver Bonk (D)

Birthdate: January 9, 2005
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 180 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
Shoots: Right
2022-23 club: London Knights (OHL)
2023-24 club: London Knights (OHL)
2022-23 stats: 67 GP, 10 G, 30 A, 40 points

The skinny: A relatively safe pick at this stage of the first round, Bonk came a long way in 2022-23. For an in-depth look at the pick, click here.

Strengths: Reliable defender, competes, cam play either side, decent feet, puck-moving upside.

Needs work: Filling out frame, expanding offense (no goals in final 42 games in 2022-23)

Quotable: "Oliver's a defenseman that we are very high on. He is a coveted right-shot defenseman. Very cerebral. Excellent puck mover. Solid defender. Just steadily improved throughout the season. He's a good-sized kid, but he is just growing into his body. We feel he is just scratching the surface at this point. He's very aware of what he is, what he is good at and what he needs to work at. We are just excited to get him."

-- Brent Flahr

2nd round, 51st overall: Carson Bjarnason (G)

Birthdate: June 30, 2005
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 186 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
Catches: Left
2022-23 club: Brandon Wheat Kings (MHL)
2023-24 club: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2022-23 stats: 47 GP, 21-19-6, 3.08 GAA, .900 SV%, 3 SO

The skinny: The Flyers traded up with the Chicago Blackhawks to get into the second round, sending a 2023 sixth-round pick (167th overall) and the 2024 second-round pick acquired from the LA Kings in the Ivan Provorov trade. The Flyers selected Bjarnasson, who was ranked 24th overall (highest-ranked goalie in the Draft) by Craig Button in his final Craig's List. He was as ranked No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's list of North American goaltenders. Bjarnason had an excellent first half but a so-so second half in 2022-23 on a mediocre Brandon Wheat Kings squad that missed the playoffs. Started for Team Canada in the U18s.

Strengths: Size, athleticism, tools, competitiveness, puckhandling (4 assists last season).

Needs work: Overall consistency.

Quotable: "Carson was one of the top-rated Canadian goalies coming into the season. He's big. He's athletic. He has dynamic movements. Our goalie coaches and goalie scouts have been very high on him. He's had a big role in Brandon the last couple of years and he has a chance to be a Hockey Canada goalie here going forward. We are excited to get him."

-- Brent Flahr

Round 3: 87th overall: Egor Zavragin (G)

Birthdate: August 23, 2005
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 183 pounds
Nationality: Russian
Catches: Left
2022-23 club: Mamonty Ugry (MHL)
2023-24 club: Mamonty Ugry (MHL)
2022-23 stats: 11-6-1, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV%, 1 SO

The skinny: Zavragin played this past season in the MHL, Russia's top junior league. He did not attend the Draft. Playing for Mamonty Yugry, Zavragin posted an 11-6-1 record, 2.49 GAA, and .920 save percentage. He was ranked by Central Scouting as the No. 11 European goalie and by McKeen's at 134th overall. If Russia had not been banned by the IIHF from international competitions, Zavragin would have been on target to compete for the No. 1 goalie job at the Under-18 Worlds

Quotable: "Egor is one of our high-rated goalies that we had. We had a group of goalies that we were high on, and he was one of them. We thought he has too good a value to pass up. He is a talented kid. He is over in a good program over there. Obviously, we have time for him to develop."

-- Brent Flahr

3rd Round, 95th overall: Denver Barkey (C/W)

Birthdate: April 27, 2005
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 155 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
Shoots: Left
2022-23 club: London Knights (OHL)
2023-24 club: London Knights (OHL)
2022-23 stats: 61 GP, 22 G, 37 A. 59 points

The skinny: A versatile, high-energy forward, the agitating Barkey became a favorite of London Knights head coach Dale Hunter. He skated on the top line in the playoffs, compiling 11 goals, 13 assists and 24 points. Barkey is always in the middle of things on the ice and is a little waterbug of an elusive forward as well as a player who gets under opponents' skin. Despite his lack of size, Barkey plays a fearless game.

Strengths: Has very good speed and also plays with pace, nonstop motor, has some skill.

Needs work: Added muscle, playing within his game.

Quotable: "Denver Barkey is one of the favorites of our staff. He's a little under-sized, but dynamic and offensive junior. High-speed. Lots of energy. He's going to be a fan favorite wherever he plays."

-- Brent Flahr

4th Round, 103rd overall: Cole Knuble (C/W)

Birthdate: July 1, 2004
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 184 pounds
Nationality: American
Shoots: Right
2022-23 club: Fargo Force (USHL)
2023-24 club: University of Notre Dame (NCAA)
2022-23 stats: 57 GP, 30 G, 36 A, 66 points

The skinny: A Draft re-entry player, Knuble plays a similar style to his father, two-stint Flyers winger Mike Knuble. He excels down low and gets to the greasy areas. Cole, who is smaller than his dad, shares a similar work ethic. Has worked hard to lessen concerns over his skating.

Strengths: Good touch around the net, battles in the trenches, unselfish, two-way player.

Needs work: Skating to NHL pace, has the frame to add further strength.

Quotable: "Cole was USHL Player of the Year. He went through the draft last year. Really worked his ass off at getting stronger this year. Dramatically improved his skating. Just a real sound two-way player. Really hard-working kid. He's got some Flyers size."

4th Round, 120th overall: Alex Ciernik (C/LW)

Birthdate: October 8, 2004
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 176 pounds
Nationality: Slovakian
Shoots: Left
2022-23 club: Södertälje SK J20 (J20 National), Västerviks IK (Allsvenskan)
2023-24 club: Södertälje SK (Allsvenskan)
2022-23 stats: 10 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 points (Allsvenskan)

The skinny: A Slovakian playing in Sweden for Södertälje SK, Ciernik split the 2022-23 season between the J20 and Allsvenskan levels. He is an undersized speedster and outstanding stickhandler but needs to diversify his game.

Strengths: Well above-average speed, high-end puckhandling skills, good hands.

Needs work: Becoming a complete player, consistency, added muscle.

Quotable: "Alex is a highly skilled kid. Terrific skater. His father is an ex-player and a skills coach now over there. He had a great start to the season and on the Slovak team. Playing in Sweden with Sodertalje, his role diminished a little in the second half. Maybe lost his confidence a little bit. But his skill set is very high-end. We are very excited to see how he develops going forward. He knows he needs to get stronger. He is playing on a team where he is going to have a big role."

-- Brent Flahr

5th Round, 135th overall: Carter Sotheran (D)

Birthdate: June 26, 2005
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 203 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
Shoots: Right
2022-23 club: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2023-24 club: Portland WInterhawks (WHL)
2022-23 Stats: 68 GP, 4 G, 19 A, 23 Points

The skinny: A big-framed and smooth-skating blueliner, Sotheran advanced rapidly this season to emerge as a 2023 Draft prospect. He was ranked 72nd overall by McKeen's, An effective defender at the WHL level, Sotheran has excellent tools. He formed a strong blueline pairing with the offensive-minded h Luca Cagnoni. Offensively, Sotheran's game is a work in progress.

Strengths: Good feet, defensive reads, poise, first-pass ability, plays with some physicality.

Needs work: Point shot could improve.

Quoteable: " "He is a big body. He is another guy that got better and better. Carter has got some rawness to him, but he is big, long, and rangy. He can defend and started to add some dimensions to his game in the second half [of 2022-23]."

-- Brent Flahr

6th Round, 172nd overall: Ryan MacPherson (C)

Birthdate: March 2, 2005
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 176 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
2022-23 club: Learnington Flyers (GOJHL)
2023-23 club: Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2022-23 stats: 49 GP, 25 G, 36 A, 61 Points

The skinny: Ranked 211th among North American skaters by Central Scouting, MacPherson is a project; a two-way forward drafted out of the GOJHL (Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League). This marks the first time that Philadelphia has directly drafted a player from that league. He had an excellent playoff run, posting 38 points (14g, 24a) in 24 games. MacPherson was named the Western Conference's best defensive forward for the 2022-23 season. In 2023-24, he'll play Junior-A hockey in the BCHL for the Penticton Vees. Subsequently, in 2024-25, MacPherson will move on to play collegiate hockey for the University of New Hampshire. Ryan's twin brother and Learnington Flyers teammate, Connor MacPherson, is also headed to Penticton and then to University of New Hampshire.

Strengths: High-energy player, competes for the puck.

Needs work: Must prove himself against higher-grade competition.

Quotable: "Real good motor. [Flyers Ontario-based scout Rick] Pracey compares him a little bit to Noah Cates as far as compete and the way he plays a two-way game. At that point in the draft, it's a no-brainer. Those are the kind of guys I typically like to target later just for a longer path, and you have time to develop."

-- Brent Flahr

7th Round, 199th overall: Matteo Mann (D)

Birthdate: December 31, 2004
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 220 pounds
Nationality: Canadian
Shoots: Right
2022-23 club: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
2023-24 club: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

The skinny: Something of a throwback to the type of defensemen that were in high demand in the Drafts of the mid-1990s to mid-2000s. Mann is a physical, shot-blocking goliath. However, Mann differs from many of the defenseman of the previous era in that he boasts surprising mobility. Mann plays with a lot of heart and a very high "compete" level. Strictly a defensive defenseman but understands his role. The right-handed defensive defenseman is the son of Trent Mann (Ottawa Senators assistant general manager).

Strengths: Uses his size and strength to his advantage, understands his identity.

Needs work: Play with the puck.

Quotable: "Matteo Mann is a tower. He is a huge, huge man already. Obviously, he had got a longer path. He's got to work on some things. Again, he is a big rig. He is long. He can skate and defend. He has been around the game a long time. He missed some time due to injury. He is a project, but he is a kid with lots to work with."

Looking ahead to 2024

As of now, the Flyers hold two selections in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft: their own, and a conditional first-rounder acquired from the Florida Panthers in the Claude Giroux trade. The condition is that that if the Panthers' pick ends up in the top 10 of the 2024 Draft, the Flyers will instead receive Florida's 2025 first-rounder.

The Flyers will get a second-round pick in 2024 in compensation for the team not signing 2018 first-round pick Jay O'Brien.

Philadelphia holds one pick apiece (the team's own) in the third and fourth rounds. In round five, the Flyers' pick is now owned by Florida (via the Giroux trade) but Philly holds the pick originally belonging to the LA Kings (via the Zack MacEwen trade).

The Flyers presently have two picks in the sixth round: their own and the St. Louis Blues' pick via the recent Kevin Hayes trade.