The Flyers regard center Nick Cousins - drafted in the third round last year with one of the picks acquired in the trade that sent Jeff Carter to Columbus - as their top prospect.
But Cousins, who will turn 20 next month and is still filling out his 5-foot-10, 170-pound frame, will spend another year in junior and is probably three years away from reaching the NHL.
So who are the young, up-and-coming players closest to helping the Flyers in the immediate future?
Excluding those who spent more than 10 games with the team last season - including Marc-Andre Bourdon, Eric Wellwood, Erik Gustafsson, Tom Sestito, and Harry Zolnierczyk - here are 10 players who could get a call next season if they don't make the Flyers out of camp:
1. Ben Holstrom, center.
With the AHL Adirondack Phantoms last year, the Colorado native had 15 goals and 41 points. He played five games with the Flyers.
"He's a hardworking, fourth-line guy," said Chris Pryor, the Flyers' director of hockey operations. "Everyone needs those type of guys."
2. Matt Ford, right wing.
Acquired from Washington's farm system last February for Kevin Marshall, Ford had a combined 29 goals with two AHL teams last season.
"He's responsible and plays a solid all-around game," Pryor said. "He can play on the power play or the penalty kill."
3. Brandon Manning, defenseman.
Manning impressed the Flyers brass in a brief stint with the big club last season, showing some physicality in his game. "He has a good stick and can make plays on offense," Pryor said.
4. Niko Hovinen, goalie.
A native of Helsinki, the 6-7, 200-pound Hovinen played for the premier pro league in Finland last year and will be with the Phantoms this season. He could get a call if Ilya Bryzgalov or Sergei Bobrovsky is injured.
"The kid played in the Finish Elite League, and from there to the AHL the transition shouldn't be hard," Pryor said. "He has the size, and after he gets some experience in the AHL, he could be ready."
5. Mike Testwuide, right wing.
The 6-3 210-pounder dropped to 12 goals for the Phantoms last season after scoring 18 the previous year. He has been inconsistent, "but has shown in spurts he can play a big man's game," Pryor said.
6. Oliver Lauridsen, defenseman.
The 6-6, 220-pound Lauridsen, who played his first full season as a pro while with the Phantoms last year, is still blossoming and might be able to help the Flyers by the second half of next season.
"Defensemen take longer to develop," Pryor said.
7. Tye McGinn, left wing.
The feisty 6-2, 205-pounder, selected in the fourth round two years ago, netted a dozen goals for Adirondack last season, his first year as a pro.
"He has size and is good around the net, down low, and on the boards," Pryor said.
8. Jason Akeson, right wing/center.
Akeson had an impressive rookie season (14 goals, 55 points) with the Phantoms, putting himself on the Flyers' radar.
"He's not that big or fast, but he's very smart and he makes plays, especially on the power play," Pryor said.
9. Tyler Brown, center.
Signed as an undrafted free agent last year, the 6-2, 184-pound Brown showed some encouraging signs during the second half last season with Adirondack.
"He has good speed and size," said Pryor, who sees Brown as a role player when he reaches the NHL.
10. Matt Mangene, center/right wing.
As a college junior, Mangene had 16 goals and 34 points in 40 games for Maine last season.
Mangene is described by Pryor as "a Harry Z-type." Translation: He has great speed, like Zolnierczyk, and is a versatile player.
Contact Sam Carchidi at scarchidi@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @BroadStBull.
