PHILADELPHIA, Pa – The Philadelphia Flyers defensive core had a bit of a shake up in the off-season with the trade of Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild and trading and key defenseman was a bit of a shock to the system. Flyer fans will have to make do the lose with either a home-grown prospect or go with one of the veteran defensemen they signed in the summery.
The Flyers defense has taken a bit of a hit publicly for their poor play in recent years. Travis Sanheim’s no-trade clause officially kicked in so unless he asks for a trade, don’t expect him to go anywhere, anytime soon. Rasmus Ristolainen should remain paired with Sanheim. Since we are looking only at the Flyers top prospects, Cam York graduated off our prospects list and will be a core defenseman for Philly. After those three, the Flyers blue line is in flux.
Today we look at the top defensemen in the Flyers farm system for 2023.
Egor Zamula – An undrafted free agent signing by the Flyers in 2020, Zamula just might be ready for prime time with the big club. The Flyers have been high on him but with the prospect pool growing with each NHL Draft, his time to shine has to be now.
Ronnia Attard – If Zamula doesn’t get a job this season, Attard is clearly their second choice. An offensive minded defenseman that the Flyers need, he could be a regular member of the Flyers for years to come.
Adam Ginning – Flyers really like his progression. The former second rounder could be paired with fellow Swede Emil Andrea once they both make the parent club. Ginning has good size opposite to what Andrea brings which to the table and could make for a solid one-two punch together.
Emil Andrea – Andrea is only 5’ 9” but that has deterred the Flyers from overlooking his talents. A second-round pick in 2020, the Flyers see him as another in the same mold as former Flyer Kimmo Timonen. His four goals and four assists in the U20 tournament in 2022 made sure the Flyer and solid play in Sweden has Flyer brass looking very smart taking him. He will most likely play in the AHL this year then make the big club next year.
Oliver Bonk – Taken in the first round in this year’s draft, Bonk looks like a solid pick. The London Knight might be paired with teammate Sam Dickinson, who might be a top 10 prospect heading into the 2024 draft. Flyer fans have this pair dancing in their heads should the Flyer have another top-10 pick in the first round. They already have their own pick, plus the one from the Claude Giroux trade with the Florida Panthers.
Honorable Mention – Ethan Samson – Samson has turned heads despite being a 6th round pick in 2021. Another six footer on the blueline is just what the Flyer need for their future once they decide to move past Ristolainen.
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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