Are Jiricek & Bonk Future of Flyers Defense?

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Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers were able to complete an improbable run to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Much of that run was thanks to their young players’ contributions. Their youth movement helped bolster the team’s efforts in making their first postseason berth since the 2020 season.

Several of those players weren’t expected to have that kind of impact last season. But in doing so, they justified Flyers’ management’s confidence in their developmental pipeline.

However, for the Flyers to continue their ascent, some of those players will be asked to be key components in making that happen. The fact that general manager Daniel Briere was willing to push all-in with an offer sheet attempt for Ducks’ center Leo Carlsson, that makes those expectations clear.

Continuing our summer series reviewing the Flyers’ younger players’ 2025-26 season performance, we shift focus to their defense. In today’s blog, we’ll look at David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk.

After the top four of Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, Jamie Drysdale, and Cam York, there is plenty of opportunity for one of their young defensemen to take a step forward.

Jiricek’s Winding Path To Flyers

Jiricek has been moved around more than expected for a 22-year-old defenseman. The 6’3″, 209 lb Czech was drafted sixth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite being considered a part of their future core, he was unable to stick on the NHL team’s roster. Jiricek was traded to the Minnesota Wild.

At the time, it seemed like a pretty smart investment for Minnesota, who were adding to their strong prospect group on defense. However, the Wild pushed to contend following their trade for Quinn Hughes. Jiricek still showed shortcomings in his defensive game that kept him in the AHL. As a result, with a roster need on, general manager Bill Guerin decided to cut bait. At the trade deadline, he shipped him to the Flyers in exchange for right wing Bobby Brink.

After joining the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Jiricek showed the offensive gifts that made him a top draft pick: fluid skating, a cannon shot, and solid physicality. In 15 games with the AHL club, he scored two goals and 13 points. However, a minus-seven rating still indicated that he was a work in progress in his defensive coverage.

What’s Expected In September For Jiricek

In many ways, Jiricek has desirable assets. He’s a big right-shot defenseman who skates fluidly. His shot is one that you can envision being a threat and a need for the Flyers league worst power-play.

However, his defensive reads have held him back from staying in the NHL. When the Flyers acquired him at the trade deadline, they weren’t pressing for a postseason berth. In some ways, he came in as a depressed asset like Trevor Zegras did when he was acquired. So it appeared they were in a situation where they could be patient in building him up. On April 1, the Flyers signed him to a two-year, $3 million contract.

With their unexpected playoff run, Jiricek is facing a similar situation with the Flyers that he did in his first two stops. However, he is no longer waiver-exempt. If the Flyers assigned him to the Phantoms, they would risk losing him to another NHL team. So unless he truly struggles in training camp, he is in line to make the roster.

For a team that has an undersized blue-line, a major leap forward by Jiricek would be highly welcome. But he will have to contend with veterans Nick Seeler and Simon Benoit for playing time under Rick Tocchet, so the opportunity won’t be handed to him on a platter.

Bonk Knocking On Flyers Door

While Jiricek carries high expectations for regular NHL duty, Bonk has shown himself to be ready for it, as well. Considering the training camp injury he suffered kept him out of action until December, it was a heartening development.

Bonk had the reputation as an offensive defenseman with the London Knights. He earned the nickname “Bumper Bonk” for his power-play work. But he didn’t have that kind of success early on with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms when he was assigned there.

However, after an initial adjustment, the top seemed to come off for him on January 6. Bonk scored his first pro goal shorthanded and added an assist in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 6-1 win over the Toronto Marlies. He would finish his first AHL season with six goals and 19 points in 46 games.

The Flyers showed confidence in Bonk and Jiricek by having them both play in the regular season finale against Montreal on April 14. But only Bonk was the one who drew Stanley Cup playoff action in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Carolina Hurricanes.

In both circumstances, Bonk did not look out of place. He displayed good offensive instincts against the Canadiens with a goal and an assist. But he also showed defensive moxie in breaking up a few neutral zone forays.

Bonk’s September Expectations

The Flyers do have a numbers game when it comes to defense spots, so Bonk will really need an exemplary camp to earn one. Unlike Jiricek, Bonk is still waiver exempt, so he can be moved to the Phantoms freely. And considering that he had a late start to his first professional season, he will likely get the lion’s share of ice time opportunity with the Phantoms.

However, if one of the Flyers incumbents is injured (such as Drysdale or York) or there’s a trade, he’s already shown Briere and Tocchet that he can contribute. He still needs to refine his defensive game, as evidenced by his minus 14 rating. But if he can show substantial strides with that (either in preseason or regular season), he could see more substantial time with the Flyers.

Off The Post Radio’s Divisional Preview Series

On this weekend’s Off The Post Radio podcast, Michael Augello, Russ Cohen, and I begin our divisional preview series. We will look at how Pacific Division teams performed last season, their respective offseason movement, and their prospect pipelines.

Join us at 9:30 am EST at the link below!