Photo Credit: Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images

So, by now, most of you have at least heard about how the Philadelphia Flyers, who were supposed to be drafting fourth overall, ended up getting the short end of the stick in the Lottery and instead will end up making the sixth overall selection.

Now, while to some this may not seem like that big of a deal, considering the Flyers are slotted to make three first-round picks this summer, in my mind, it could prove to be the “Coup de grace” that already put an end to any chance the Flyers had of returning to the playoffs next season after an already five-year hiatus. Seeing that this year’s draft class possesses in my mind four impact players that could bring immediate assistance to whatever franchise they get drafted to. Those being defenseman Matthew Schaefer, forwards Michael Misa, Porter Martone, and center James Hagens.

So, who will be left when the Flyers make their first selection, you might be asking? Well, that’s a good question. Let us dive right in.

First Round Sixth Overall- Jake O’Brien

So, with the Islanders moving up nine spots and Utah moving up ten, it really threw a wrench into the Flyers’ plans. Because, as we’ve heard the Flyers GM Danny Briere speak of on numerous occasions, he wants to bolster the center position. But the only thing is, with Michael Misa and James Hagens most likely being already off the board when the Flyers go to make their first selection, there are some major questions surrounding the next group of centers, both the Swedish-born Anton Frondell and Canada’s towering 6’5 Roger McQueen have dealt with significant injuries already in their careers. Frondell has had multiple knee injuries, and McQueen had to battle back from a spine injury that limited him to playing in just 17 games this year.

Now, don’t get me wrong, both I feel are exceptional players, but with the mess the Flyers had to deal with when they jumped at the chance to draft Nolan Patrick, who at the time was thought to be the consensus number one overall pick that year, but fell to them at number two overall, because before even getting to the NHL draft he was labeled as injury prone seeing that he missed a lot of time dealing with a shoulder injury, a hernia, and of course concessions; which we all know would prove to be his ultimate demise. If I were Danny and wanted to keep my job, I would pass on any prospect with an injury history.

The other popular option at sixth overall is Caleb Desnoyers, who plays with the Moncton Wild Cats of the QMJHL—a 6’2, 172-pound center who was able to net 94 points in 56 games played. And was able to maintain a +51 average. Now, I think he’ll be taken by Nashville one spot ahead of us, seeing that they too are rumored to be on the hunt for a center. But even if he isn’t, I don’t think he will be an automatic grab for the Flyers. Seeing that Philadelphia previously took his older brother, Elliot, back in 2020, whom they were very high on at the time, but just their luck, he has since found himself being nothing more than a health scratch for the Phantoms during their recent playoff run.

And, while I get that, they are different players, and Caleb could one day soon far surpass his brother in terms of production. I’m just not sold on drafting a player that high from a league that has consistently gotten less and less physical, I.E., handing out big suspensions for dirty hits and has banned fighting entirely.

The Flyers play in the Metro Division, a division that is chock-full of teams in close proximity to each other, which has, over the years, led to their teams and fan bases forming some of the league’s most heated rivalries.

So, if I’m Briere and insistent on taking a center and wanted to get the best available player truly, that would pair well with Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov, who led all rookies in goals this year with 26. I would draft one of the youngest players in this draft class, Jake O’Brien, who just so happens to be one of the best playmakers in this draft class as well. An elite passer who was able to notch an incredible 66 assists this season! But don’t worry; while he enjoys serving up goals to all his teammates, he can also dip and dive to finish off a play all by himself, which he proved he could do a very respectable 32 times this year, which if you do the math comes out to a total of 98 regular season tallies.

And, if the Flyers really want to do their homework on him, as far as this 6’2, 170-pound Canadian center’s “hockey bloodline” (or genetic makeup, if you will), it’s backed by both the Y chromosome with his dad (XY) Dan O’Brien who played Division One hockey in the NCAA, and the X Chromosome with his mom (XX) Amy Turek (who I think he really got his offensive skill set from) Who played in Canada’s National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL).

Yes, Jake may need another year or two playing in juniors, but I think it will be worth the wait. For, I see him having the best NHL career out of the bunch that will be available when the Flyers make their first selection.

There’s been a Trade: The Flyers move up and take Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.

With their need of Center being taken care of early, I would suggest the Flyers package up both of their remaining 1st round picks (the one they got from Colorado and Edmonton) in order to move back up to somewhere in the teens to select shutdown defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

Kashawn is a former guest of ours on Prospect Watch. And for good reason. Aitcheson is an 18-year-old left-hand shooting defenseman who stands at 6’1 and 198 pounds. He is an absolute beast in his end who proved time and time again this season that he is more than capable of keeping soon-to-be top-five picks Michael Misa and Porter Martone off of the score sheet.

However, Kashawn’s defensive and physical abilities are not all that the Flyers should be enthralled by. Because Aitcheson also managed to lead the Colts in goals with 26 and total points with 59.

With their first pick in the 2nd round, the Flyers Select: Center Ivan Ryabkin

With a multitude of picks in the second round, the player I think should be taken by the Flyers at the 36th overall spot is the Muskegon Lumberjacks center, Ivan Ryabkin.

Ivan is a Russian center who, at one time, was thought to be a top-five pick in this draft. But due to limited playing time in Russia this year, Ryabkin’s stats just did not live up to the hype surrounding him, which is why Ivan decided mid-season to take his talent to the States and prove his worth playing in North America on the smaller ice surface.

Once here playing in the USHL, this 6’0, 198-pound dot dweller was able to explode onto the scene offensively, scoring 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in only 27 games played.

It should be noted that he obviously has spent time watching the great Alexander Ovechkin because, like Ovechkin, Ryabkin likes to find his way to open ice around the top side of the faceoff dot so that he can receive a pass and shoot a wicked one-timer for a goal.

This rugged center could prove to be a steal at this position, as I see him pairing very well with fellow Russian Matvei Michkov in the future.

With the 40th selection in this year’s draft, Philadelphia would like to select: Defenseman Carter Amico.

Carter is a right-hand shooting blueliner who stands at an impressive 6’5 and 234 pounds. He, like Kashawn, is a physical anomaly. Where multiple times a game, you can count on him to use that strength to totally wipe the opposition off the puck and out of the play entirely. Thus creating fast-break opportunities for his forwards to go the other way.

I swear, guys, I have never seen someone take a guy off their skates with such ease since Dustin Byfuglien.

Now, Carter sustained an injury to his knee this year that caused him to miss the rest of the season. That is the only reason I think he will still be available when the Flyers make their selection at this time. So, they best try to cash in on his misfortune and get a prospect that could help to solidify the Flyers struggling defensive core.

With their third 2nd Round Selection, the Flyers would like to take: Right-hand shooting Defenseman Henry Brzustewicz.

If Philadelphia’s scouting department happened to attend any of the London Knights games to watch their guys Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk, then I’m sure when they reported back, they couldn’t help themselves but to talk about a kid they saw named Henry Brzustewicz.

And that’s because his game is that tantalizing. Henry is one of the better puck-moving defensemen in this draft. And when he is not skating right through all five members of the opposition. Brzustewicz can be found making smooth outlet passes from behind the goal line out to the opposite blue line, right onto his awaiting winger’s stick blade, creating one-on-one breakaway chances between his forward and the opposing team’s goalie.

Now, I could go on and on about his game because, to be honest, there isn’t much he doesn’t do well. But to save time, just watch the video I provided below, and you’ll see what I mean.

With the 48th pick in this year’s draft, the Flyers would like to select: Forward Ryker Lee.

After spending back-to-back picks on defense, I think the Flyers should look to draft the USHL’s Rookie of the Year, Ryker Lee.

This season, while standing at 6’0″ and weighing 181 pounds, Ryker was able to net a remarkable 31 goals and 37 assists for 68 points in only 58 games played.

His strengths are that he is an unrelenting force on the forecheck and that he more than excels while on the man advantage.

Ryker would likely benefit from an additional year or two in Juniors or at the collegiate level, as he has just committed to attend and play for Michigan State University.

With Our Third-Round pick, Philadelphia would like to select: Goalie Petteri Rimpinen.

Passed over last summer despite being on at least this old goalie-turned-writer’s radar. 19-year-old Petteri Rimpinen came back this season with a vengeance. Where he not only managed to impress at the U20 World Junior Tournament for Finland, where his play allowed him and his countrymen to take home a Silver Medal, but also saw him leave with the honor of being named the tournament’s best goaltender.

Additionally, this season, Petteri managed not only to make it to the Liiga (Finland’s top Professional Hockey League), but he also took complete control of the crease, playing in 40 games and finishing with a very respectable 2.35 goals-against-average and a .912 save percentage.

Listen, the Flyers finished this season with the league’s worst save percentage, .879%, and were also bottom dwellers in terms of goals against average, which saw them let in 3.45 goals a game. So, despite the team already having a couple of prospects in the pipeline. They need to draft a netminder who is the closest to being NHL-ready as possible. And, for me, that is Rimpinen.

With the first pick in the Fifth Round, the Flyers would like to select: Goaltender Elijah Neuenschwander.

Now, it may seem a little ridiculous to select goaltenders back-to-back, but given that the Flyers have struggled to find the right guy in net since Ron Hextall retired, I think it’s justified.

And, while I got you reminiscing about the good all days when Hexy was patrolling the crease for us. You should know that Elijah, a 6’4 “, 192-pound Swiss-born guardian of the blue paint, is about as old-school as you can get in terms of his style of play. He is a stand-up goalie through and through. And whenever he does have to go down to the butterfly position, he makes sure to use his lightning-quick reflexes to regain his rightful stand-up position as quickly as possible.

With our second pick in the Fifth Round, the Philadelphia Flyers would like to select: Forward Jordan Gavin.

With the draft now entering its later stages, teams are now trying to unearth some prospects with surprisingly good value.
And, for me, this draft has no one who fits that mold better than Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jordan Gavin.

Jordan is a 5’11″, 179-pound Canadian-born player who, despite showcasing his incredible offensive abilities, scoring 23 goals and 45 assists for 68 points in 68 games played last season in the WHL. He went undrafted, in my mind, primarily due to his lack of effort in getting back and helping out in his own zone, as made evident by his -30 plus-minus rating that season.

But to his credit, this season Gavin managed to redeem himself by growing as a player and becoming more of a two-way forward, where this season he not only was able to post over 20 goals for the third season in a row but was able to become a plus player finishing with a +8 on the season.

With their Sixth Round Selection, the Philadelphia Flyers would like to select: Forward Aidan Park.

With the last pick, the Flyers will make in this draft, I would suggest that they select 6’1″, 187-pound Aidan Park, who played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL this year.

Aidan was passed over in last year’s draft despite this high-motor center scoring 93 points in 56 games at the world-renowned Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep School.

So, to switch things up this season, Aidan decided to play in the USHL with the Gamblers, where he was able to net 33 goals, and 33 assists for 66 points in 55 games played. And, it is that work ethic that earned him the right to play at the University of Michigan in the next year or so.

So, there you have it. My recommendations for whom I think the Flyers should be focusing on drafting this summer. This mix of players addresses the need for scoring centers, solidifying the defense, and a pair of goaltenders who I think could lead this franchise back into true contention.

The only question now is whether Briere and his cohorts will take my advice. But in order to know that answer, we will just have to wait and see.