Flyers sign forward prospect to entry-level contract

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed London Knights forward Denver Barkey to an entry-level contract. Barkey was selected with the 95th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and has since dominated the OHL, ranking fifth in the league with 87 points in 56 games. He also ranks in the top 15 of goal-scorers, with 31.

Barkey is the leading scorer behind a dangerous London offense this season, with the Knights leading the league’s standings and scoring. He’s combined well with fellow Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk, who Philadelphia selected with the 22nd overall pick last season. Bonk signed his entry-level deal in mid-August, though his placement in the OHL will delay the contract’s start. The London Knights are gearing up for a long run in the CHL’s Memorial Cup, but with Philadelphia in a playoff position, both players could reasonably be recalled if needed, though that would begin their NHL contracts. They’ll have needed to come a long way to be NHL-ready, with the duo being some of Philadelphia’s first cuts at training camp this September.

Barkey brings a style Philadelphia isn’t unfamiliar with – boasting great head-on speed, good awareness, and the ability to make quick plays in the offensive end. His 5-foot-9 stature was a point of contention ahead of the draft, but it’s a style Philadelphia has embraced, with 5-foot-8 Cam Atkinson and Bobby Brink both earning routine NHL roles this season. The team has also iced 5-foot-9 defensemen Victor Mete and Emil Andrae at different points this year, showing their prioritization of skill even, on the back-end. They’ll need to continue embracing that mindset, with the feisty Barkey paving his way up the Flyers’ depth chart.