The Philadelphia Flyers continue to monitor the progress of several prospects playing in European leagues, as outlined in a recent directory update.
NHL teams negotiate player transfer agreements individually with each European national hockey federation. The length of time an NHL team retains rights to a drafted player from Europe varies depending on the league.
For fans, the main concern is where each prospect is currently playing and how long Philadelphia holds their NHL rights.
In the 2025 NHL Draft, the Flyers selected Max Westergård, a Finnish left winger who plays for Frölunda HC in Sweden’s SHL. Westergård was picked in the fifth round (132nd overall) and recently turned 18. Last season, he played 11 playoff games in Sweden’s top professional league and attended the Flyers’ 2025 Development Camp before returning home. He also represented Finland at the World Junior Summer Showcase. In the upcoming season, he is expected to split his time between Frölunda’s junior and men’s teams.
From the 2024 Draft class, Jack Berglund stands out as a second-round pick (51st overall). The Swedish center had a strong showing at Team Sweden’s Summer Showcase with four goals and seven points over five games. After missing last year’s World Juniors due to injury, Berglund aims for an expanded role with Färjestad BK in the SHL this season.
Another 2024 draftee is Ilya Pautov from Russia’s MHL. Pautov was selected in the sixth round (173rd overall) and is known for his puck-handling skills and playmaking ability. At age 19, he continues to develop his game with Krasnaya Armiya Moscow but has not yet appeared in KHL action.
Yegor Zavragin, chosen by Philadelphia in the third round of the 2023 Draft, is currently with SKA St. Petersburg in Russia’s KHL. His statistics as a teenage goaltender have drawn comparisons within Russian hockey circles to notable players like Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin. Zavragin advanced quickly through Russia’s junior ranks into professional play but will require patience before being considered for an NHL role.
Alex Ciernik was drafted by Philadelphia in 2023 (fourth round, 120th overall). The Slovakian winger has played across Germany, Sweden, North America, and now Finland after signing with Lahti Pelicans of Liiga for at least one year. Ciernik participated briefly with Lehigh Valley Phantoms on an AHL tryout contract last season but remains unsigned at the NHL level.
Santeri Sulku represents another European prospect whose rights are held by Philadelphia until next year following his selection in seventh round of the 2022 Draft (197th overall). Sulku returned to Finland after missing one season and played two years at Mestis level before joining KooKoo of Liiga.
Regarding contracts for European prospects: If signed to an entry-level deal while under age 20, players can be loaned back overseas without using up a contract year—similar to Canadian junior rules—but this does not apply once they turn 20 or older; those seasons count against their deals regardless of where they play. For KHL players specifically, transfers must be negotiated directly unless they are free agents.
These updates provide insight into how international development impacts when—and if—these prospects may eventually join Philadelphia’s roster.
