Teams always need depth. It’s just a brutal fact of life in the NHL. No front office gets to kick back and assume all 23 players will stay healthy and perform at the top of their game. Players get hurt, and sometimes, players just flat out don’t play well enough. The Philadelphia Flyers got a bit lucky last year, staying relatively healthy despite Tyson Foerster, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Rodrigo Abols missing some serious time. But if next season gets worse, and man, we hope it doesn’t, they’ll need some depth guys to step up big time. That’s why eyes are already on guys like Oliver Bonk, who could be the first from the AHL getting the call.
Oliver Bonk: The Obvious First Step
Oliver Bonk is battling hard for a spot on the Flyers’ blue line in training camp right now, and believe me, it’s contentious. This 21-year-old former first-round pick might even get sent down to the AHL even if he totally crushes camp, all because David Jiricek isn’t waiver exempt. Talk about a tough break! But here’s the thing: the Flyers clearly think highly of Bonk. If someone like Ristolainen or Drysdale goes down with an injury, or if Jiricek plays like a 2021-22 Keith Yandle for the first 15 or 20 games, GM Briere’s mind is jumping straight to Bonk. Forget veteran Cam Dineen, who they signed this summer; Bonk is the guy.
Stepping Up on the Blue Line
Bonk certainly has the size to handle himself, and he’s absolutely projected to be Ristolainen’s long-term replacement. He can perform better than the Finnish blueliner in other areas, too. But will Philly overthink it and go for pure physicality with someone like Hunter McDonald instead? That move would force Nick Seeler into the top four and create a bottom pairing of McDonald-Jiricek, which could honestly be its own disaster. That’s not the kind of “step back” any team wants to take. Bonk just feels like the absolute lock to get that first defensive call-up. He’s got the right blend of skill and size, and when the necessity hits, he’s the one they’ll want to take on that challenge, even if it’s “more than he’s ready for.”
When the season kicks off, every Flyers fan will be watching that blue line with a microscope. Injuries are inevitable in this league, and when that moment comes, Bonk is ready. We’re talking about a call-up that could define their defensive depth for the entire season and show us exactly what the future holds for this team. Get ready, because it feels like Bonk’s moment is just waiting to happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Broad Street Hockey.
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