It wasn’t long ago that Samu Tuomaala was the top goal-scoring prospect (pre Matvei Michkov division) in the Philadelphia Flyers farm system. He certainly was the best pure goal-scorer on the American Hockey League (AHL) team. He scored 28 goals and 28 assists for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2023-24 to earn an All-Star selection and followed it up with 11 goals and 21 assists in 46 games last season.
Fast forward to the start of this season. He’s buried in the Flyers prospect pool. To be fair, the talent has improved dramatically since then. Tuomaala disappeared down the stretch last season with injuries and a fallout with the coaching staff, leaving him out of the lineup for the playoffs. It puts him in a make-or-break season with the Flyers and the Phantoms as the 22-year-old winger is suddenly one of the older and overlooked prospects in the system.
Tuomaala Isn’t a Fit for Flyers’ Plan
The Flyers have a surplus of wingers in their farm system. It was noticeable in their rookie camp and games against the New York Rangers, with Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Nikita Grebenkin standing out. Throw in Porter Martone, the top selection by the Flyers in the 2025 draft, and Matvei Michkov, the young star on the NHL team, and the team has no shortage of wingers.
Not all of the above-mentioned players will be on the NHL roster or be high-impact players (expect Michkov, of course, who is that player). That said, players like Bump have bumped Tuomaala down on the team’s list, and after a disappointing series, he’s even lower on their depth chart.
It’s worth noting that Tuomaala is a winger who plays a unique style. His bursts from the wing and the flashes he displays make him a player that only a few centers can work with, and the Flyers don’t have that type of player. It’s a similar problem that the Vancouver Canucks have with Elias Pettersson, who has unquestioned talent yet struggles to find chemistry with his linemates.
The other issue the Flyers have is the timeline for Tuomaala. He came over from Finland needing a season to acclimate to the North American game and the culture. It takes many prospects a season to acclimate and then another season to develop, with Michkov being a rare exception. The frustration with Tuomaala is that his production has plateaued while Grebenkin, another overseas prospect, has improved dramatically. It’s why the Finnish prospect will likely spend the season with the AHL team but the clock is ticking with his time in the organization, barring a breakout season.
Flyers Need To Give Him a Fresh Start & He Needs That as Well
There’s a fear of trading an elite prospect just as they hit their stride. It’s happened time and time again in the NHL where a player sees their career take off in a new setting. That said, the Flyers must move on at some point from Tuomaala, and he needs a reset as well.
There’s a chance that he will become a star somewhere else but it wouldn’t be a knock on the Flyers as much as both sides need a fresh start. There’s no path for him on the NHL roster, especially if one of the wingers in the system moves to the right wing, which is something the power forward Grebenkin can do.
Tuomaala is a unique fit and can work out with the right team and system. A team like the Canucks can work as they have similar forwards on their NHL team and their system. Likewise, Utah has the young forwards who can unlock his game.
How The Flyers Might Move On From Tuomaala
The Flyers are in an interesting spot as a rebuilding team looking to make a big jump. Teams like these don’t trade away prospects and don’t look to add them while trading away a veteran. It’s what the front office confirmed recently, as they aren’t looking to sell at the deadline anymore.
It’s why Tuomaala can be a part of a trade package where the Flyers are buyers and looking to make a push for the playoffs. There’s a good chance this team is a few points out of a wild card spot at the trade deadline, and with wingers on top of wingers in the system, Tuomaala is one of the expendable prospects.
The Flyers need a defenseman to round out the unit. It’s why they want Oliver Bonk to make the NHL roster and make an impact right out of the gate. If he can’t, they can make a move to improve at the position. Similarly, the Flyers struggled up the middle, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau might be available at the deadline, making him a reasonable target with Tuomaala being part of the swap. This team is in a tough spot with one of their intriguing prospects, and a decision might come from the organization soon enough.
Bottom line is that the Flyers have never been able to properly devolop/use players like this.
Samu has no trade value. Are you also implying he is an elite prospect? he has a .0001 chance of becoming a star elsewhere. go back to the beginning, the flyers botched his development. Samu is not an intriguing prospect. he just isnt all that good.
the fact you want to move bonk for a “win now” type of move is funny. they are so far from winning its a joke. but yeah lets move bonk for anderson in calgary like you suggested.
there is an even greater chance this team is not in the wildcard mix, behind numerous teams. how far away is this team from cup contention in your opinion.