Shortly after defenseman Egor Zamula cleared waivers, the Philadelphia Flyers are adding to their roster in the form of forward prospect Denver Barkey.
Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco was the first to report on Barkey’s recall.
Barkey was drafted by the Flyers in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft after a solid campaign with the London Knights, where he scored 22 goals and 59 points in 61 games. He immediately proved his worth the following season with an explosion of 102 points in 64 games, which included 67 assists.
His efforts helped the Knights claim their first of two straight OHL championships as he finished the post-season with 27 points in 18 games. London ultimately lost in the Memorial Cup that year but they came back with a lot to prove in 2024-25, as they not only repeated as OHL champions but made quick work in the Memorial Cup.
Barkey finished his junior career with 82 points in 50 games last year, and added another 20 points in 10 games, as he dealt with a few injuries along the way. The 20-year-old then joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms ahead of the 2025-26 season and has quietly put up 7 goals and 16 points in 26 games with 20 PIM and a -2 rating.
His inclusion in the lineup could push Nicolas Deslauriers to the press box along side Nikita Grebenkin.
It is also important to add that Barkey was called up ahead of Alex Bump, who many had felt deserved a shot with the big club with 20 points in 26 games this year for the Phantoms. However the AHL coaches and the Flyers front office have been very enamoured with Barkey’s play and feel he can make a difference with the big club right away.
The roster freeze will be in effect at midnight and will extend to the 28th of December, so Barkey will be around for the next slate of games, which begins tomorrow afternoon when they visit the New York Rangers.
