Oliver Bonk's path to the Philadelphia Flyers now runs straight through the AHL, and there's no shortcut left.
This offseason, the hype around Bonk cracking Philadelphia's opening night roster has cooled off considerably.
With only four preseason games to work with, the runway for jumping straight to the NHL just isn't long enough to make that leap realistic.
Bonk got a small taste last season, appearing in one NHL game and picking up a goal and an assist for 2 points at a plus-1 rating.
That flash was real, but it wasn't enough. The plan now is letting him dominate at the AHL level first, building confidence before another call-up.
He's not projected as a big offensive engine either, more a smart, well-rounded blueliner than a 50-point defenseman at his size and role.
Why the power play could be Bonk's real development area
His junior career in London showed real power play impact, and translating even part of that to the AHL would add a genuine tool to his game.
The Phantoms haven't had a true AHL All-Star on the back end in a while, and that's exactly the bar Bonk needs to clear this season.
Hunter McDonald is on a different path entirely. As a defensive defenseman, his success gets measured by shutdown play, not scoring, with assists as a small bonus metric.
Expectations on Bonk will be heavier than on any other Flyers prospect given his brief NHL cameo. That's fair, but rushing him back up too soon would undo the whole plan.
Philadelphia finished last season 43-27-12 with 98 points, good for 11th overall, a roster patient enough to let a top prospect actually develop the right way.
Whether Bonk turns into that AHL All-Star this season, or needs another full year before the Flyers trust him with real NHL minutes, is still an open question.
Should the Flyers keep Oliver Bonk in the AHL all season to develop properly?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Connor Hellebuyck to Buffalo: Unexpected development sends NHL fans into a frenzy
