As the Philadelphia Flyers hit pause for the Olympic break - sending three of their own overseas to represent Team USA in Italy - it’s a good time to shift focus from the present to the future. With the NHL calendar on hold and the Flyers’ pipeline constantly evolving, this midseason checkpoint offers a chance to look at some young names who are just outside the organization’s Top 25 Under 25 list. These are players who didn’t quite crack the main rankings, but who earned enough recognition from internal evaluations to warrant a closer look.
Let’s break down six prospects who, while not yet in the spotlight, are still very much part of the Flyers’ long-term picture.
Matthew Gard, C
Matthew Gard’s season has been a tale of two teams. The 6-foot-5 center, drafted in the second round last year, came into the Flyers system as one of several big-bodied pivots with a similar profile - smart, steady, and projectable, but not necessarily flashy.
Early on, his production with the Red Deer Rebels raised some eyebrows for the wrong reasons. Just 10 points in 23 games?
That’s not what you want to see from a player in his first post-draft year.
But then came the trade to the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, and Gard’s game flipped a switch. In a more offensive-friendly system, he’s found his footing - tallying 12 points in 13 games, including seven goals.
That’s a promising jump, and it’s clear that the environment change has unlocked more of his game. Gard only received one vote on this year’s ballot - slotted at No. 23 - but if he keeps trending upward, he won’t be flying under the radar for long.
Karsen Dorwart, C
Karsen Dorwart is a name Flyers fans might remember from a brief NHL cameo last season. Signed as a college free agent out of Michigan State, Dorwart got a five-game look with the big club and didn’t look completely out of place - though some defensive lapses showed he wasn’t quite ready for a full-time role.
Now in his rookie season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the 23-year-old center is still trying to find his rhythm. With just 17 points in 44 games, the offensive output hasn’t matched what he showed in college.
And with a deep crop of center prospects behind him, Dorwart’s window to make a lasting impression is narrowing. He’ll turn 24 before next season, which puts some pressure on him to take a step soon.
Still, he’s a known quantity in the system, and that familiarity earned him three votes in the rankings - one at No. 25, two at No. 22. He may not have the highest ceiling, but he’s a name to keep in mind as a potential depth option if the Flyers need a plug-and-play center down the road.
Nathan Quinn, C
One of the youngest players in the 2025 NHL Draft, Nathan Quinn is quickly making a name for himself as a sixth-round steal. The Quebec Ramparts forward has taken a major leap this season, already surpassing last year’s point total with 55 points in 43 games - including 27 goals. And he’s doing it with style, scoring highlight-reel goals that show off his creativity and finishing touch.
Quinn’s next step is already lined up: he’s committed to Northeastern University for next season. Jumping from the QMJHL to Hockey East is no small task, but if he can hold his own at the college level, it’ll be a big indicator that his offensive surge is for real.
Six of the 13 voters included Quinn on their ballots, though all had him between 22 and 25. That puts him just outside the Top 25 for now, but with his trajectory, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him climb the ranks by next season.
Alexis Gendron, RW/LW
Alexis Gendron continues to be one of the more intriguing late-round picks in the Flyers’ system. A 2022 seventh-rounder, Gendron turned heads last season with a 20-goal campaign in his first full year of AHL action. This year, he’s followed that up with 19 points in 40 games - not a huge leap, but also not a step back.
Now 22, Gendron is in that critical phase where he needs to show more if he wants to earn a serious NHL look. His offensive instincts are real, and he’s got a knack for finding soft spots in the defense, but the question remains whether he can round out his game enough to stick at the next level.
He earned six votes in this year’s poll, ranging from 21 to 25. There’s still time for Gendron to make his case, but the clock is ticking.
Carter Amico, RD
Big things were expected from Carter Amico this season - literally and figuratively. The 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman was the Flyers’ first of four second-round picks last year, and after missing almost his entire draft year with a knee injury, this season was supposed to be his breakout.
It hasn’t quite worked out that way. Struggling to find ice time and rhythm, Amico was loaned to the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he’s put up four assists in 10 games. Offense has never been his calling card, but even so, the production has been modest.
Still, Amico’s combination of size, skating ability, and physicality remains tantalizing. There’s a reason seven voters included him on their ballots - even if it was all in the 21-to-25 range.
If he can stay healthy and get the right development path, he could still become a valuable piece on the blue line. But like many young defensemen, it’s going to take time.
Cole Knuble, C
Last but not least, we’ve got Cole Knuble - and yes, the name rings a bell. The son of former Flyer Mike Knuble, Cole was drafted in the fourth round in 2023 and initially viewed as a legacy pick. But he’s quickly proven he’s more than just a famous last name.
After a strong sophomore season at Notre Dame - 12 goals and 39 points in 34 games - Knuble has taken on a leadership role as an alternate captain this year. His production has dipped slightly (five goals, 21 points in 27 games), but not in a way that raises red flags. He’s shown enough to earn a professional contract after this season, according to Flyers development staff.
At 21, Knuble is in a “wait and see” phase. What he does at the pro level will ultimately determine his NHL upside.
But he’s put himself in a good position, and seven voters had him on their ballots - with one even slotting him as high as No. 17.
Final Thoughts
None of these players cracked the Flyers’ Top 25 Under 25 list this time around, but each brings something to the table - whether it’s size, smarts, raw skill, or just a steady upward trajectory. Some are fighting to stay relevant in a competitive prospect pool, while others are just beginning to turn heads.
Development isn’t linear, and the Flyers know that better than most. With a deep and diverse group of young talent, it’s these kinds of midseason check-ins that help paint a fuller picture of where the organization is headed - and who might be next to step into the spotlight.