As Denver Barkey heads back to the London Knights after spending the last couple of months watching the Philadelphia Flyers' training camp from the sidelines, he reflects on his recovery from illness and coming back a stronger player than before. Earlier this month, the Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/] signed forward prospect Jacob Gaucher to a two-year, entry-level contrac [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-sign-thrivi-prospect-to-nhl-deal-gaucher]t. The 6-foot-4 forward was under contract with their AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/] affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms before he signed his ELC with Philly. However, due to his excellent play, he was rewarded with this NHL contract. Gaucher is having a breakout year with the Phantoms in 2024-25, posting 13 goals and 22 points in 28 games thus far. This is after he had eight goals and 16 points in 59 games with the AHL squad last season. Yet, what's more encouraging about Gaucher is that he only seems to get better as the season rolls on. Since signing his ELC with the Flyers, Gaucher has three goals and seven points in five games. This includes a four-point night against the Toronto Marlies on Dec. 20. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjExNjgwNTc0MzUwMzA0ODAz/usatsi_24376704.jpg] With this, Gaucher is only continuing to be a big surprise in the Flyers' system. If he maintains this marvelous play from here, we could very well see him get his first chance at the NHL level before the season is over. However, he is undoubtedly raising his value in the Flyers' prospect pool.
