The Philadelphia Flyers' 2025-26 season saw rookies Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone unexpectedly contribute significantly during their playoff run. Each player earned their place in the lineup by performing well under pressure, showcasing their potential for future seasons.
Key points
Philadelphia Flyers' season featured unexpected rookie contributions
Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone were key players
Each rookie scored their first NHL playoff goal
Their performances earned them extended time in the lineup
Experience gained will benefit their future development
Mentioned in this story
Danny Briere
Philadelphia FlyersDenver BarkeyAlex BumpPorter Martone
Megan DeRuchie @megd26_ on X
Megan DeRuchie @megd26\_ on X
The Philadelphia Flyersâ 2025-26 season was filled with youth. Some of it was expected, others, not so much.
Denver Barkey was called up to the Flyers following the injury to Tyson Foerster in December. Alex Bump was called up following the trade of Bobby Brink at the trade deadline. Of course, Porter Martone joined the Flyers in late March following the conclusion of his NCAA career.
Each player, age 22 or younger, was in their first full season in the Flyers organization. Speaking from my own thought, Bump was the only one that I personally expected to be with the Flyers at some point this season.
Each player was called up in a different circumstance. However, each player was the same in one very important aspect: they gave the Flyers reason to keep them in the lineup. Not only that, but they were not fazed by the bright lights of playoff hockey. Each player picked up their first-career NHL playoff goal, and played big roles during the playoff run for Philadelphia.
Itâs because of moments like those that it gets hard to remember how they got to the Flyers this season. Rather, itâs their impact that is remembered at the conclusion of the year.
*âI almost kind of forget about these, these little moments, because we get in the playoffs, and those guys played such a big role,â* said Flyers GM Danny Briere. *âYou know, they just made it, and they hung around, and their play kind of dictated the fact that they stayed around and played more.â*
So, what are those moments? Well, the original plan for each player was a minimal role.
*âI called Denver Barkey, and I told him, âYouâre just going to be here for the weekend.â I think we had a couple of games, and then youâre going to go back, and we plan on playing you in this game in Lehigh,â*said Briere*.*
Barkey, who turned 21 during the playoffs, did not give the team a reason to send him back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL.
*âHe had the big game in New York, and then we had a couple injuries, and we said, âWell, youâre gonna stick around for another week.â Then you know, we were going to send him back for the Olympic break. Then he played so well, he had earned it. Next thing, you know, Denver never returned, so Iâm sure the guys in Lehigh were not too happy with me.â*
Alex Bump, 22, was the same story. Once given a chance, the coaching staff did not want to see him go.
*âWe called Bump up, and we wanted to give him a game, but then he played so well. The coaches wanted him back in the lineup. There was a game I was going to send him back, and Tocchet said, âNo, I want to use him tomorrow in the game, can you keep him here for one more day?â He ended up scoring and stayed for the rest of the way.â*
Porter Martone, 19, signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers in late March after his title run with Michigan State fell short. As he once described it, Martone jumped onto a âmoving train.â
The Flyers pondered whether it was fair to just gift the unproven 19-year-old ice time when he had just shown up. Other players had helped the Flyers be in that playoff push and had earned the time. Next thing the Flyers knew, their 19-year-old phenom had arrived.
*âAt first, with Martone, we werenât even sure. You know, weâre in a playoff hunt, like, is it fair to play him? Is it fair to put him in that position with our guys who are fighting for a spot?â* Brere said. *âNext thing you know, heâs had such a big impact.â*
The trio of Flyers rookies impressed in their first bit of time with the team. That kept them around longer than anyone had expected. It also helped them get an NHL playoff experience that you cannot buy for a playerâs development.
*âItâs not like it was planned that way,â said Briere. âBut to have them experience that and have such a big role, thatâs what makes things so exciting. You canât buy that experience for those guys. Next year, coming back, they know what itâs like to play in the playoffs, and theyâll know what to expect. Theyâll know how tight the game is, how hard the game gets in the playoffs. So itâs a huge plus to have had the chance to give them those games.â*
What may have been intended as temporary call-ups resulted in invaluable playoff experience for three important players in the Flyersâ future. Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone earned the right to play big roles for the team during the Flyersâ playoff run.
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Q&A
Who are the Flyers rookies that made an impact in the 2025-26 season?
The impactful rookies for the Flyers in the 2025-26 season were Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone.
What circumstances led to the call-ups of Barkey, Bump, and Martone?
Barkey was called up due to an injury to Tyson Foerster, Bump was promoted after Bobby Brink's trade, and Martone joined following his NCAA career.
How did the Flyers rookies perform during the playoffs?
All three rookies scored their first NHL playoff goals and played crucial roles in the Flyers' playoff run.
What did Flyers GM Danny Briere say about the rookies' performance?
Danny Briere noted that the rookies' performances were unexpected but crucial, as they earned their spots and contributed significantly during the playoffs.
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