We’re starting to enter the home stretch of the community draft board, and it’s time to discuss yet another 2023 draft prospect who already has ties to the NHL without playing a game at the pro level. This time the subject is Oliver Bonk, the son of former Senator and 3rd overall pick Radek Bonk, who currently plays for the London Knights and profiles as an offensively minded two-way defender. The younger Bonk was able to put up 40 points in 67 games from the backend, in what was his first season at the OHL level. Despite his clear skill, there are a lot of varying opinions on where Bonk is going to end up come draft day.
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 24 by Corey Pronman
No. 20 (North American Skaters) by NHL Central Scouting
No. 30 by Bob McKenzie
No. 56 by EliteProspects
Statistics
What’s there to like?
Oliver Bonk fits the mold of the modern day NHL defenseman to a tee. He is a smooth skater, can run the point on Power Play, and is constantly activating in the offensive zone. In addition to his skillset, he also stands at a solid 6’1″ which removes a lot of the questions that sometimes can accompany more offensively-focused defensemen.
One of Bonk’s best skills is his confidence with the puck. He is adept at entering the zone with speed and setting up his teammates for good scoring opportunities. He is always trying to turn play up ice, and he maximizes his chances to jump into the rush. He isn’t blazing fast, but he does have a keen ability to weave in and around traffic to get out of trouble. He also put up a very respectable 40 points in his 67 games, as well as tallying 11 assists in the Knights’ 21 playoff games.
Oliver Bonk (#2023NHLDraft) wins it in the shootout for the London Knights with this beautiful backhand deke.
Did I mention he's a defenceman? pic.twitter.com/cGaQNY2ME4
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) March 3, 2023
In London, Bonk was deployed in any scenario whether it be playing Power Play minutes, killing penalties, or 5 on 5. For a young player like Bonk, who before this season had only played 17 OHL games, earning such valuable minutes for a franchise like London says a lot. The Knights were (and often are) tipped as contenders for the OHL Championship, and made it all the way to the Final before falling to the Peterborough Petes.
Ice time isn’t free in London, and Bonk earned his.
But a defenseman still has to defend, and Bonk is far from an offense only package. He uses his reach and active stick advantageously to break up plays, and on the PK especially, is not afraid to get in front of an opposing shot and lay his body on the line. He is able to keep the play in front of him, and he has composure in his own end.
BRETT BROCHU WITH NO GLOVE
OLIVER BONK SAVEMAYHEM pic.twitter.com/wBGDLVR8TI
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) April 29, 2023
What’s not to like?
Bonk is raw. You can see a lot of potential within his game and skillset, but you can also see just how much he has to improve on to really be a difference maker at the next level.
His straight line speed is not necessarily there, and he has a bit of laboring stride as well. Not every skating stride is meant to be identical, every player is different, but he could benefit from making some adjustments to boost his top speed to assist in catching forwards on the back check.
While he is tall, he has yet to really grow into his frame, which for a newly turned 18-year old makes sense, but is still worth mentioning. Physical play is not currently a large part of his game, and at a rather paltry 176 pounds, there is definitely some weight that needs to be put on before he would really be able to assert himself among the pros.
The final grievance that can, and has been, laid at the feet of Bonk is that he is a product of being apart of a great London system. That the structure and players around him are what really allow him to excel, rather than his talent being exceptional. That is a large contributor to why his potential draft position varies on a scout-to-scout basis. Some mock drafts have Bonk going in the top 25, others have him as an early second round pick, and some others have him slipping all the way into the 40s or 50s.
There really aren’t any examples of Bonk flourishing outside of London besides the five games he played in the Ivan Hlinka tournament for Canada, and even in his Knights career, he only really played a season and a half. And during this period, much of the offensive load on the backend was carried by Montreal draft Logan Mallioux, while Bonk was more of a secondary option. To some more critical eyes, Bonk is too unproven to warrant a first round selection.
How would he fit in the Flyers’ system?
Oliver Bonk’s fit in Philadephia relies on just how high you think his ceiling could be. If you draft him with aspirations of him being a number one defenseman for 10+ years, anchoring the next generation of Flyers hockey, then you may not be too impressed. However, if you think of him in a similar mold as Cam York; a two-way, puck moving defender who can lead a second pairing and potentially play on the first with the right partner, then you will probably be pleasantly surprised.
I just don’t quite think his ceiling is as high as York’s. The truth is, there is an element of risk with taking Bonk because I don’t personally believe he has the potential to be an all-star stalwart defender like the Reinbacher’s and Sandin-Pellikka’s who will likely be taken before him. I see Bonk as a guy who can be a reliable option on a second pair, and who can play in any situation. His hockey sense is baked in from growing up being coached by his father, and I’m confident he will adapt to the pro game well. The Flyers could use more guys like him to rebuild the back end, and it would definitely help the depth of the unit and give them another option on special teams.
Oliver Bonk (#2023NHLDraft) wins it in the shootout for the London Knights with this beautiful backhand deke.
Did I mention he's a defenceman? pic.twitter.com/cGaQNY2ME4
— Hadi Kalakeche (@HadiK_Scouting) March 3, 2023
Can the Flyers actually get him?
The Flyers drafting Bonk at this point would likely mean using the 22nd overall selection acquired in the Ivan Provorov trade. He is definitely not someone to target with the 7th pick, but 22 is definitely in play.
Something I am watching out for, however, especially with Keith Jones seeming set out to revamp the D-corps, and Daniel Briere saying publicly that the Flyers would like to acquire another pick in between #22 and their third round selections, is perhaps a move into the early or mid second round. If that does transpire, and Bonk falls into the pick 33-45 range, he would make a whole lot of sense.
What scouts are saying
Oliver Bonk is a smart defender who plays with a physical edge that will become far more effective once he adds some weight, especially in terms of lower body strength. He’s a below-average skater who can get beat to the outside by agile and quick attackers despite keeping a tight gap. His production this season may overestimate his offensive projection, as his hard shot is his only above-average offensive tool. His passing and puck-carrying games in transition still have some improving to do to project as strengths in the NHL, but his defensive habits and intelligence make him a likely bottom-pairing defender with a few years of development and if his tools can follow the strong development curve he’s demonstrated this year, he has the confidence to turn into an effective two-way defenseman. – Sebastian High, Dobber Prospects
Bonk, the son of long-time NHL forward Radek Bonk, is a smooth-skating defenseman who uses his quick processing skills and quality puckhandling to make efficient plays out of his own end and contribute as a playmaker in the offensive zone. He has a long, powerful stride that allows him to pick up speed in open ice and beat forecheckers with his feet. His lateral agility and edges are impressive. – Joseph Aleong, FC Hockey
We’re keeping a bit of continuity going here, and we’re adding another defenseman to the poll. From over in the WHL, it’s Tanner Molendyk!
Moldenyk is a strong two-way defenseman despite not being the biggest defender. This is because of his excellent skating ability and strong work ethic. Molendyk’s edgework is very good. He closes on checks like a pro, and is able to evade pressure at a high level. His top speed is good, not great, but he can lead a rush in the NHL. Molendyk has strong offensive instincts and skills, and can make plays from off the blue line and on the move. His size will be a minor issue as a defenseman in the NHL, but he plays hard and doesn’t shy from physical play often landing hard hits at the junior level. I think he checks a lot of boxes and projects to be a top-four defenseman. – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
Who should be No. 29 on the Community Draft Board?
Previously on the 2023 Community Draft Board…
- Connor Bedard
- Adam Fantilli
- Matvei Michkov
- Leo Carlsson
- Will Smith
- Zach Benson
- Oliver Moore
- Dalibor Dvorsky
- Ryan Leonard
- Eduard Sale
- Axel Sandin-Pellikka
- David Reinbacher
- Nate Danielson
- Gabe Perreault
- Brayden Yager
- Matthew Wood
- Samuel Honzek
- Colby Barlow
- Andrew Cristall
- Daniil But
- Calum Ritchie
- Mikhail Gulyayev
- Gavin Brindley
- Dmitri Simashev
- Gracyn Sawchyn
- Quentin Musty
- Ethan Gauthier
- Oliver Bonk
- …