VOORHEES, N.J. — It wasn’t quite Matvei Michkov mania like last September.
But as the Flyers’ 2025 rookie training camp opened Thursday, there were still plenty of notable prospects to track. However, one was not on the ice.
We’ll get into that and more before the Flyers’ prospects take on the Rangers’ prospects for the first of two matchups this weekend at PPL Center.
No Luchanko
After missing development camp in July because of a groin issue, Jett Luchanko was not on the ice Thursday. The Flyers announced that he was held out for precautionary reasons and is expected to be available for the start of main camp in a week.
It is a tad concerning that Luchanko was not cleared for rookie camp when the injury was believed to not be too serious earlier this summer. But there really is no rush to get Luchanko into rookie camp. He went through it last September and impressed. He even got a four-game taste of the NHL as an 18-year-old.
So, with main camp being the focus, it looks like the 2024 first-rounder won’t play in the rookie games.
“Just things from the season, just taking the time in the summer to try to do what I can to get better,” Luchanko said in July about the injury. “I don’t think it’ll be an issue at all for coming forward.”
The speedy center has an outside shot to crack the Flyers’ season-opening roster again. But if he doesn’t, going back to the OHL and vying to play for Team Canada again at the IIHF World Junior Championship wouldn’t be a bad thing.
A Bump in excitement
Alex Bump, Jack Nesbitt and Samu Tuomaala formed what could be the Flyers’ top line Friday night. We’ll see if the Flyers roll with that in Game 1 against the Rangers, but there’s a lot to like with that line.
Bump loves to score the puck, Nesbitt has all kinds of size and skill and Tuomaala brings high-end speed. The trio produced a goal in a 3-on-2 drill, with Tuomaala finishing on a nice shot.
“I thought they were great,” John Snowden, the Phantoms’ head coach who runs rookie camp, said. “There’s a little bit of everything on that line. Bumper makes a ton of plays, he’s poised with the puck. Samu can score when he gets any kind of chance in a good area of the ice. I thought Nesbitt can do a little bit of everything — he gets pucks back, he’s long, he disrupts plays so he can extend O-zone possessions.”
Bump is the headliner of rookie camp. The 21-year-old winger has a legit shot to make the big club’s roster.
“He’s not coming to camp to hope to play one day; he’s coming to make the team,” Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr said in July. “If he’s good enough, we’ll have to figure it out.”
Big club updates
Rasmus Ristolainen, wearing a non-contact jersey, had a rehab skate Thursday morning. The 30-year-old defenseman is working his way back from a second triceps tendon rupture.
His recovery was slated for six months after he underwent surgery March 26. He’s not expected to participate in training camp.
“He’s going to be out until probably the early parts of next season unfortunately,” general manager Danny Briere said in April after last season.
Tyson Foerster was also wearing a non-contact jersey as he took part in a skate with the full big club group. The 23-year-old winger had surgery this offseason on his elbow to address an infection. He’s expected to be ready for the Oct. 9 opener.
“Tyson’s on pace to be there for us when the season starts,” president of hockey operations Keith Jones said Wednesday.
