No. 13: Zayde Wisdom

2020-21 League/Team(s): Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL)
2020-21 Statistics: 28 GP, 7 G, 11 A, 18 PTS
Age: 19
Acquired In: 2020 (Draft, Round 4, 94 Overall)
Ranking in Spring 2020 25 Under 25: N/A

How did Wisdom’s 2020-21 hockey season go? Is his stock trending up or down from where it was entering the year?

Wisdom was somewhat forced into the AHL with the uncertainties regarding the Canadian Junior leagues, and he did not look out of place in his first professional league season. He proved to be a valuable asset for the Phantoms, and certainly improved his stock as a NHL-level prospect. He has without a doubt risen in the Flyers prospect pool.

What are we expecting from Wisdom this season? What should we be looking for from him?

Wisdom has surgery on his shoulder over the summer, which has left him with an “out indefinitely” status.

Related

Zayde Wisdom out indefinitely after shoulder surgery

Therefore, it is unknown how much of Wisdom we will see in 2021-22, and if he can build upon his previous season. Additionally, if the AHL commits to their proposed “minimum games played” threshold, whether Wisdom plays in the OHL or AHL is unknown, though given his success in Lehigh Valley, perhaps the coaches will insist he remains there.

How does Wisdom fit into the Flyers’ long-term plans? Where does he stand in the Flyers’ organizational depth?

Though there are certainly prospects ahead of Wisdom (such as Wade Allison) who have already cracked the NHL roster, Wisdom’s “readiness” for the NHL isn’t far off from the likes of Allison. Even if just for a trial period, Wisdom could certainly see a call up in the next two seasons.

What do we think Wisdom’s ultimate NHL upside is, and how likely is it that he gets to something approaching that?

Wisdom looks to have middle six winger potential, which is especially evident given how well he performed in the AHL at the young age of 18. If he can push past the shoulder injury and hits the ground running when he returns to the ice, that upside could almost certainly be confirmed.

Anything else?

Even if Wisdom is just a fourth line winger, to get a potential NHL player in the fourth round of the draft is a definite win for the Flyers.

How We Voted: Zayde Wisdom

How We Voted: No. 13

Previously in Flyers Summer 2021 Top 25 Under 25:

• Introduction
• No. T-24: Ivan Fedotov
• No. T-24: German Rubtsov
• No. 23: Jay O’Brien
• No. 22: David Kase
• No. 21: Linus “The Hog” Hogberg
• No. 20: Isaac Ratcliffe
• No. 19: Ronnie Attard
• No. 18: Connor Bunnaman
• No. 17: Noah Cates
• No. 16: Elliot Desnoyers
• No. 15: Emil Andrae
• No. 14: Samu Tuomaala/