What Does Year 2 Look Like for Barkey, Bump?

In any sport, being a high draft pick comes with greater expectations. But no team builds to championship caliber without a few later-round finds that turn into valuable players.

In the 2025-26 season, there was plenty of discussion about Porter Martone on the way, or about season two for Matvei Michkov. But the Philadelphia Flyers were keeping close eye on two other prospects that later proved to be impactful in a playoff run.

Denver Barkey was believed to still be a year or so away from the NHL as he turned pro ahead of the 2025-26 season. But his high motor and dog-on-a-bone mentality changed plans quickly. Barkey was already becoming a star in the AHL and ready for a chance.

After a mid-December call-up, there was essentially no turning back. Barkey played in 43 games with five goals and 17 points. He had a goal and an assist in 10 playoff games.

The path was a little different for Alex Bump. The Western Michigan product was a year older than Barkey, and expected to make a push to be on the roster out of training camp.

That didn't happen, as Bump struggled during camp, and then dealt with an injury. His call to the NHL didn't happen until the trade deadline in March.

But once the opportunity came, Bump was in the center of the action. Bump appeared in 17 games with five goals and nine points. He also had two goals in six playoff games.

Both Bump and Barkey participated in rookie camp and the rookie games over the weekend, and that small sample of NHL experience showed. They were too good for this level of competition. The training wheels are off.

And it leads you to wonder what year two will be like for them. Both seemed to have enough time in the NHL last season to go through hot stretches and growing pains. There will likely be growing pains to come for both, but could there be more beneficial gains?

Can Barkey be a 40-point player in a bottom-six role? Can Bump push for 20 goals as a rookie, and not even the highest-profile rookie on his own team?

There are two reasons to believe it's possible. The pedigree that both players have, their overall growth and development and having to play with a chip on your shoulder, is a characteristic that shouldn't be overlooked. And then there's the brief taste of playoff hockey. That appears to have motivated the youngest Flyers to be more than what they are and keep growing.

It makes both players of interest for the upcoming season. Based on draft position, neither was expected to be here this soon, but they have made the developmental strides to be key parts of the future, quite possibly from the jump in the 2026-27 season.

Given their growth, it’s fair to get excited about the possibilities that are there for Barkey and Bump in their second season in the NHL. And the results could be very important to the Flyers making another playoff run this season.

Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.