Philadelphia Flyers: Erik Gustafsson and Their Top 5 Prospects

The Philadelphia Flyers have dealt away a lot of their top picks in the NHL entry draft over the past few seasons in big-time trades.

They gave up great picks for veteran defender Chris Pronger and Kris Versteeg and have used picks to acquire other players in recent years.

All things considered, the farm system is better than you would think. The team's AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms may not be good, but the talent on the team and in the Flyers system is excellent.

The following list is of the top five prospects for the Flyers. Enjoy!

5. Mike Testwuide

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NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 28: Mike Testwuide #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on September 28, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Mike Testwuide is probably the most NHL-ready forward the Philadelphia Flyers have in their farm system.

Testwuide played four seasons at Colorado College and really grew into a power forward type of player with good hands in close to the net.

The Flyers prospect is 6’3” and 216 pounds, making him the perfect size for a go-to-the-net-hard kind of player the Flyers love.

Depending on whom the Flyers re-sign this offseason, Testwuide could be with the team as early as next season.

4. Marc-Andre Bourdon

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OTTAWA, ON - JUNE 21: 67th overall pick, Marc-Andre Bourdon of the Philadelphia Flyers poses for a portrait at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft at Scotiabank Place on June 21, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)

Marc-Andre Bourdon is one of the best offensive defensemen prospects under the NHL umbrella of teams and players.

While his talent in the offensive zone is immense, his flaws in the defensive zone are too big to ignore.

The young player has plenty of time to correct his defensive shortcomings because the Flyers have plenty of defensive depth.

3. Tye McGinn

While many of the scouts around the league haven’t given Tye McGinn a chance of being a solid NHL prospect, he has really blossomed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

McGinn has good NHL size and is developing solid hands. He has a knack for scoring and had 64 points in 42 games with the Gatineau Olympiques.

As with all Flyers positions, depth will keep McGinn out of the NHL for a while, but his talent will have more time to season.

2. Eric Wellwood

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 01: Eric Wellwood #47 of the Philadelphia Flyers in his first NHL game looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 1, 2010 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flyers defeat the Hurricanes 3-2. (Photo

Eric Wellwood is one of the best offensive prospects the Flyers have in their system, and he will look to build on the success he had with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires.

He spent four seasons in the OHL and became a solid all-around forward with a knack for finding the net.

In Wellwood’s short time with the Flyers this season, he impressed the coaching staff and his teammates with his composure and skill. He will be a player to watch in the next season or two.

1. Erik Gustafsson

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 01: Erik Gustafsson #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against Nathan Gerbe #42 of the Buffalo Sabres on October 1, 2010 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Erik Gustafsson is one of the best two-way defenders in the NHL farm systems.

The Flyers have depth on defense, but next season you can expect to see Gustafsson with the big club as the team’s sixth or seventh defender.

While he is a good defensive defenseman, he can be just as good in the offensive zone.

After spending four years at Northern Michigan University, he had 36 points in 59 games this season with the Adirondack Phantoms.