PHILADELPHIA, Pa – There use to be certain things in life that were a given: Death, taxes, and the Philadelphia Flyers drafting a center. It took some time, but the Flyers went back to their roots at the NHL Entry Draft by selecting three centers last year and taking a center with one of their two first round picks this year. The Flyers had a dire need to draft down for size. The Flyers still need centers who can win face-offs on a consistent basis.
Today we look at the top Flyers prospects as of 2025 in the Flyers organization.
Jett Luchanko – A speedy center with the Guelph Storm(OHL). His numbers won’t wow anyone despite back-to-back 20+ goal seasons. He has a shot at making the parent club but we expect Luchanko to start the season in the AHL for at least a half a season and should be a late season call up.
Jack Berglund – Because of the week talent pool in the Flyers system, it wasn’t a shock to see that all of last year’s draftees were already at the top of the Flyers system for centers. The Swedish center has good size 6’ 4”. His numbers won’t pop off the page during the regular season but he quickly turned heads at the U-20 tournament this year where he scored eight goals, 14 assists, and 22 points in 15 games. In a franchise looking for size his fits the bill.
Jack Nesbitt – The Flyers moved up in this year’s draft to select Nesbitt in large part, no pun intended, due to his 6’ 4” frame. A franchise thin at the center position, Philly felt he was worth moving up for. Expect him to spend at least two seasons at Windsor before seeing time in the AHL.
Heikki Ruohonen – According to Elite Prospects.com, the scouting report on Heikki Ruohonen is he is a “two-way center who drives play, pushes the pace and has some power forward qualities. He uses explosive weight shifts to beat defenders to the inside. Outworking opponents for body positioning and using contact as an advantage.” The USHL prospect had a solid season for Dubuque with 16 goals and 23 assists. Eventually he go to Harvard in the NCAA. He served as captain of Kiekko-Espoo during the 2023–24 season.
Cole Knuble – The son of former Flyer Mike Knuble, Cole had a solid season playing at Notre Dame but unless he can show a scoring touch he is desired as a potential bottom six forward. Expect him to play at Notre Dame for at least one more season before going pro.
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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