Corey Pronman’s latest under-23 ranking has four Flyers in the mix, and the order gives a pretty clear snapshot of how he views Philadelphia’s young core right now.
The highest Flyer on the list is Porter Martone at No. 13, which puts him in Tier 4 as a “top of the lineup player.” Pronman is bullish on the winger’s upside, pointing to elite skill and creativity with the puck, plus the size and reach to beat NHL defenders one-on-one.
He also likes the way Martone competes, noting that he’s willing to engage physically and get to the net. The concern is pace.
Pronman says Martone’s skating is only OK for his size and that he isn’t a quick-twitch player, but the talent level is so high that he still sees a top-line winger. Martone’s tool grades reflect that: below average skating, high-end puck skills, above average compete and shot, and average hockey sense.
He’s also the second-highest player from the 2025 NHL Draft on the list behind only Michael Misa at No. 10, and he’s one spot behind Cutter Gauthier.
Matvei Michkov comes next for the Flyers at No. 35, inside Tier 5 as a “bubble top and middle of the lineup player.” Pronman acknowledges that Michkov’s second NHL season was a tough one, even while stressing how much talent is still there.
He describes Michkov as extremely gifted, with high-end skill and hockey sense, and says he creates unique plays with the puck at a huge rate. The read on him is still very much about offense first: he can be a game-breaker with the puck and has a knack for finding scoring chances for himself and others.
But Pronman also flags the issues away from the puck, calling his skating so-so, his physical game limited for an average-sized winger, and his off-the-puck effort subpar at times. He projects Michkov as a very good top-six winger who could also frustrate coaches.
His grades land mostly in the average-or-better range, with high-end puck skills and hockey sense, an above-average shot, and average skating and compete.
Jack Nesbitt is right behind him at No. 41, also in Tier 5. Pronman sees a big center with real offensive tools: a player who can beat opponents one-on-one off the rush, make smart reads in the offensive zone, and use his vision and touch to create chances.
He also likes the way Nesbitt plays physically and handles himself as a reliable 200-foot center. The knock is the skating stride, which Pronman calls heavy, and that could make life difficult against NHL defenders.
Even so, he still puts a second-line center and top-six potential on the table. The grades, though, are a little more restrained: above average compete, average puck skills and hockey sense, and poor skating.
Nesbitt is committed to Michigan for this season.
The final Flyer on the list is Jack Berglund at No. 67 in Tier 6 as a “middle of the lineup player.” Pronman points to a strong year split between the SHL and World Juniors, plus an invitation to Sweden’s senior team.
Berglund is described as a big, heavy center who brings a hard, detailed two-way game, along with solid puck skills and vision. Pronman doesn’t project loud offensive numbers, but he does like the way Berglund processes the game, makes quick decisions, and can create from the perimeter or in tight.
The skating is another issue, since Pronman calls it a bit heavy, but the overall package points to a third-line center. His only above-average grade is compete, while puck skill and hockey sense come in at average and skating is below average.
Berglund, a second-round pick in 2024, is in the same tier as several notable names, including Shane Wright, Berkly Catton, Dalibor Dvorsky, Nate Danielson, and Cayden Lindstrom.
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