Who Should Be the Flyers' Next Call Up?

Now that the Flyers have officially returned Jett Luchanko to the Guelph Storm in the OHL, there is an open spot on the Flyers’ active roster.

There are plenty of options for the Flyers, as a number of Phantoms players have been playing well early in the season.

The Flyers could go in a few different directions with this next decision. Of course, there was talk of 14 forwards or 8 defensemen as training camp came to an end. The Flyers decided to go with 14 forwards instead of the extra defenseman. Now, that conversation could become relevant again.

You have a guy like Emil Andrae, who was seemingly wrongfully sent back to the AHL after a short stint in Philadelphia. You also have forwards like Karsen Dorwart and Anthony Richard, each with their own NHL experience under their belt.

Alex Bump is an exciting name and a player who made a push throughout camp to make the roster. Maybe the Flyers want to try something new on the right-side of the third defenseive pair.

You can make the case for a number of players. Who should the Flyers call up?

Emil Andrae

Emil Andrae feels like the logical first name to throw out there. The young defenseman looked good in his one game in the NHL this season, and has five assists in six games with Lehigh this season.

While he came up for just one game before Cam York was activated off the IR, it felt like sending Andrae down in that moment was the wrong choice, as he was one of the better third-pair options the Flyers had.

Now, they have the chance to bring him back up, opting for the eighth defenseman instead of an extra forward. That would allow the Flyers to figure out the best way to go for that third pair. Andrae is a solid defenseman who deserves a longer look in the NHL this season. This could be the perfect opportunity.

Karsen Dorwart

The Flyers signed Karsen Dorwart as an undrafted free agent after three years as a Michigan State Spartan. He earned five games in the NHL last season, where he did not register a point. He then joined the Phantoms for their playoff run, where he looked a lot more comfortable.

Dorwart did not really get a good look in training camp, getting injured on the first day and not really getting a chance after that.

He started the season in the AHL, where he has been lighting it up for the Phantoms. Dorwart is leading the Phantoms with five points, three goals, and two assists in seven games.

Dorwart can play down the middle, filling that extra center spot that Luchanko left behind, but he can also play the wing.

Alex Bump

Here is the exciting name in the mix. The Flyers could replace one exciting prospect with another, Alex Bump. I’ll be completely honest here. Of all possibilities, Bump feels like the least likely amongst the group.

However, it is worth mentioning his name in this case. Bump had been expected to make the Flyers roster all offseason, but came short after camp. The Flyers’ wing is crowded, but Bump certainly has the talent to make a push.

He has a goal and an assist for three points in seven games with the Phantoms this season.

Anthony Richard

The Flyers could go with a veteran utility forward with the call-up. Much like Karsen Dorwart, Anthony Richard can play down the middle or along the wing.

Richard has had a handful of NHL experiences and is right behind Dorwart in points this season with four, two goals, and two assists.

If the Flyers want to call up another forward, maybe one with NHL experience, Richard could become a viable option.

Helge Grans

The last option, in my mind, could be Helge Grans. There is definitely no certainty for the Flyers’ third defensive pair, at least while Rasmus Ristolainen remains out with injury. Between Adam Ginning and Egor Zamula, the Flyers have two options on the left side.

Giving Grans the call would give them a second option for that right side spot, someone with size and physicality.

Among the defensemen in training camp, Grans made a longer push than others. It’s worth mentioning that among the options the Flyers did have, Grans did not make it. So, how good of a camp could he have had, right?

Nonetheless, the Flyers could certainly use a boost on the blueline. Grans could be a viable option if the team wants to give Noah Juulsen a break.

My Pick for the Flyers’ Next Call Up

In my opinion, when the Flyers do make a call-up and fill their 23-man roster, I see two leading candidates. Of course, there is no rush since the Flyers have an extra forward and defenseman.

The first of which is Andrae. He is playing well in Lehigh, and he played well in his one game with the Flyers this season. He deserves a longer look. This could be the perfect opportunity. There is an open roster spot, and still no set spots on the third pair.

However, he would be my second choice.

If I had to choose, I would go with Karsen Dorwart. Since signing him to his contract, the Flyers have only seen him in five games. While Andrae does deserve another good look this season, I think it’s only right for the Flyers to bring up another forward.

Dorwart is lighting it up in the AHL. If he does get the call-up, he earned it. Not to mention his versatility. He can play both wings, but most importantly, down the middle.

Between Andrae and Dorwart, the Flyers can’t go wrong.

Who Should Be the Flyers’ Next Call Up?

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