The Philadelphia Flyers have quite a few roster spots ready to be filled by up-and-coming prospects next season, but there's one prospect who should be talked about much more.
By now, we all know about Alex Bump and the praise he's consistently received from the Flyers, and an opportunity for Nikita Grebenkin in the wake of Tyson Foerster's offseason injury.
But, what about the defense? What about Oliver Bonk?
It's always harder to shelter a young defenseman at the NHL level than a young forward, but Oliver Bonk is uniquely equipped to handle the challenge.
The 20-year-old is going to be turning pro this fall, but long Memorial Cup campaigns have prevented him from getting any tastes of AHL action to this point.
But, Bonk's strong points have always lied in his hockey IQ and understanding of how to play his position effectively. He's not the biggest, fastest, or most skilled defenseman, but knows what he needs to do on the ice and why.
Veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen isn't expected to be ready to play for the Flyers by the start of the season, which means opportunity for players like Bonk, Emil Andrae, and Helge Grans.
All it takes is an impressive training camp to crack the door open, and The Athletic prospects expert Scott Wheeler thinks Bonk is ready for the challenge.
Bonk’s smarts are his game’s defining quality but he has also defended at one of the highest levels in junior hockey over the last couple of years, has an impressive feel for coverage and timing and escapes pressure well despite having average feet," Wheeler said of Bonk in his July prospect rankings.
"He just looks like he’s going to be a solid two-way defenseman who can influence play and potentially help out on both special teams, even if he’s not a natural power-play quarterback or your prototypical penalty killer. He projects as a No. 3-5 defenseman. . . I expect him to play in the NHL in 2025-26, if not full-time, then at least to start."
Further supporting the possibility of Bonk playing in the NHL soon, Wheeler notably ranked Bonk (45th overall) ahead of fellow defensemen Kevin Korchinski (62nd), Scott Morrow (67th), Maveric Lamoureux (80th), and Seamus Casey (85th).
The common denominator for all of those players? Each has played NHL games already.
So, not only does Bonk have the pedigree that supports an early NHL debut, but similar players have already done the same.
Whether the Flyers give him a real opportunity to make remains to be seen, but the roster spot is there for the taking.
Oliver Bonk has a legitimate chance to make the Flyers outright to start the 2025-26 season.
