Flyers prospects we could see in the NHL before the season ends
With the Flyers continuing to strip parts from a team that was already pretty barebones to begin with, there will certainly be more opportunities for players to jump into the lineup and prove their worth. Noah Cates comes to mind as a guy who emerged from obscurity with a standout 16 games in 2021-22, that secured his future for the following season.
The Flyers front office is willing to explore, and they will be searching for at least an extra player or two that can try and make a difference down the stretch, while the team is down and out.
Alex Bump, LW
Bump’s stock has grown massively within the Flyers organization recently, and it isn’t hard to see why.
The Western Michigan Bronco has 12 goals and 26 points in his last 20 games, and he’s looking better and better as the collegiate season has rolled on. He has taken on more of a role for the best team in the NCHC as they have stayed on an absolute heater over the past month, and continues to play at above a point per game pace.
Bump’s name has come up around the organization for a while now, and he seems to be gaining traction as a prospect that is near the front of the line when it comes to earning an NHL callup. He has the direct and straightforward sort of offensive attack that the Flyers front office seems to value, and a silky set of mitts that, if they can translate somewhat, could make him a slippery player to defend.
The Minnesota high school standout will only grow in status as he and Western Michigan prepare for a potential run to the Frozen Four, and it wouldn’t be a complete shock to see him in the lineup at some point late this season after his collegiate season comes to a close. He has impressed at the development camps he has attended, and the organization may want to reward a player they believe to be taking real steps, including being one of 22 NCHC nominees for the Hobey Baker award.
Alex Bump doing Alex Bump things pic.twitter.com/jK9Wl1oO9h— WMU Hockey (@WMUHockey) February 22, 2025
Bump is gaining steam, and will be interesting to watch as his confidence grows. He has a goal scoring knack and has went on some absolute heaters throughout the season; he’s in the midst of another one, as he rides a five game point streak.
Cole Knuble, C
Knuble is forging a similar path to Bump, becoming one of the lone bright spots for what has been a very underwhelming season for a formerly great Notre Dame program.
Despite missing six games, Knuble sits seventh in points among Big Ten forwards, with 34 in 28 games. That puts him ahead him of Montreal first rounder Michael Hage, Nashville standout Matthew Wood. He has looked confident despite his circumstances, and like Bump, he has started to find another level offensively in the new year.
A sick backhand from Cole Knuble and a wrister from Danny Nelson give the Fighting Irish a 4-1 lead over the Badgers heading into the final frame ☘️#B1GHockey pic.twitter.com/q7DVXk8rlQ— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) February 23, 2025
Over his last 12 games, Knuble has scored 16 points; despite Notre Dame going 4-7-1 in that stretch. This is all done with him not really having the same marquee teammates as some of his competitors at the University of Minnesota or Michigan.
While he isn’t as big as his former Flyer father Mike, he is solid on his skates and capable of shielding the puck down low if under pressure. He has some hands on him, too, and he’s become more of a threat with the puck as his college career has gone on. He possesses the sort of tenacity that is required of a Torts-type of player, and that has persisted as he has taken on a bigger role. He isn’t the quickest of skaters, but everything else seems to be rounding into form in order for him to become a legit NHL prospect.
It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Flyers could decide to get a closer look at Knuble later on in the year, he’s improved year-over-year for each of the past four seasons, and that could very well soon be rewarded with an entry-level deal.
Samu Tuomaala, RW
Noises coming from inside the organization may still be skeptical, but if he can sustain this sort of AHL production, a call to the show should be coming for Samu Tuomaala.
The 22-year old Finn was a 2nd round pick in 2021, but hasn’t really shown any flashes until his past two years in Lehigh Valley. He’s currently projected for 16 goals and 45 points this year, a slight uptick from the year before.
Tuomaala’s problem is that he isn’t much different from a lot of what the Flyers currently have. He is a bottom-six scoring winger who cannot do much else, and if that skill can’t translate to playing against NHL opposition, he really won’t have a shot at success. At the moment, he is really nothing more than an Olle Lycksell. Fine, but interchangeable.
Still, if he continues to put up raw numbers as a 22-year old, he might force himself into a look later on in the year, especially if injuries arise and trades occur. He does have an innate ability to get pucks on net, and could even be an asset on the power play in the future, but is he really good enough yet? If the organization thought so (they do not), he would have already been here.
Realistically, what does being T-92nd in AHL points really mean? Is that something to be rewarded on its face, even if the overall play isn’t entirely trending in a great direction? We will find out soon enough. He could get a shot to impress, but it is just as likely he has to wait until next year at best. ...
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