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How the Flyers can Upgrade the Center Position without breaking the Bank or giving up the Farm
(All stats in this article were pulled before the start of the Redwings game on 12-8-2024)
It’s no secret that the Flyers need help down the middle of the ice. However, the team has made efforts to get better between the dots by selecting Jett Luchanko this past summer. Who, mind you, has looked good this season after returning to the Guelph Storm of the OHL, scoring 20 points in just 16 games played. It should also be noted that he recently made Team Canada’s 2025 World Junior Championship roster. But it is becoming rapidly apparent that the Flyers may no longer be able to endure while they wait for him or whatever other talented prospects they may draft this summer to arrive.
The reason being is their lack of production from their current crop of center icemen, starting with Sean Couturier, who, although he makes nearly eight million dollars a season, has only been able to record 15 points in 30 games played. Now, I’m sorry, a half-a-point-per-game average and a 0.20 goals-per-game average is utterly unacceptable given his salary and the fact that Sean gets to play on a line with guys like Konecny, Michkov, and Tippett every night.
Sadly, it only gets worse from there. Morgan Frost has scored only four goals and 12 points this season for an average of 0.14 goals per game and 0.44 points per game.
Scott Laughton has netted only seven goals and 14 points this year, which computes to him putting up 0.22 goals per game and 0.45 points per game.
Noah Cates has only totaled two goals and seven points this season for a whopping total of 0.07 goals per game and 0.25 points per game.
And Ryan Poehling has managed to push only one goal past the opposition’s netminder this year and has totaled only nine points in 28 games played, for an average of 0.03 goals-per-game and 0.32 points-per-game.
Still, this makes me wonder why they have seemed to double down with their existing crew, considering they have a guy like Anthony Richard, who, while only playing in seven games this season when the others previously mentioned have been injured, has managed to put up six points. Now, while he may not be a long-term answer, he brings energy and has been playing better than the scrubs they have been putting out there on a nightly basis.
And, why I get some fans may not get the sense of urgency that I am trying to convey here, being that the team currently sits in fourth in the Metropolitan Division, I would urge them to think of the mental and physical impact it is having on our young star Matvei Michkov. For as it stands now, he and Travis Konecny have had to do it all this season, and believe me, opposing teams know this. Making them marked men. As made evident by the beatings, Matvei has been forced to take on a nightly basis this season. The thought process behind this being if they take Michkov out of the equation, then their team has a good chance of winning.
Lucky for us, despite Matvei receiving this treatment and not having any real help or threat to score coming from the center position, he has still somehow managed to thrive, as he is currently leading all rookies this season in goals with 11 and points with 27. So, just think what he could do if he had some help down the middle. Then maybe, just maybe, Matvei wouldn’t have to try and do it all (I.E., attempting things like a Michigan goal from behind the net) that then leads to him receiving a scolding from his head coach, John Tortorella.
So, in order to keep Michkov healthy and get him out of this predicament, I would urge the Flyers management to make a move for a youthful centerman who could make an immediate impact without breaking the bank or them having to give up the farm.
And, while I get that the idea of this seems easier said than done, trust me, it most certainly is feasible. I just think that the Flyers have been looking in the wrong places for help. Players like Shane Pinto and Josh Norris aren’t worth the asking price that Ottawa would be requesting for them to agree to a trade. Former 2019 1st-round pick Peyton Krebs, who has speed and playmaking ability that plays for the Sabers, may seem enticing, but I believe Buffalo has all but ruined him. Then there is the often-rumored Trevor Zegras of Anaheim, whose showboating attitude and inconsistent play might just be the thing that sends John Tortorella to an early grave if management were to acquire him.
The way I see it, the only HOT take that I’ve seen that makes even the slightest bit of sense for the Flyers would be for them to try and acquire the 23-year-old center Marco Rossi from the Minnesota Wild. But while Marco and the Wild have not really seen eye to eye on everything (which sparked the current trade rumors surrounding him), I don’t see the Wild being dumb enough to part ways with a player who in his first full season in Minnesota last year scored 21 goals and 40 points. Not to mention the fact that Rossi is a restricted free agent who is currently playing on the Wild’s top line and is on pace this season to score 29 goals and 66 points; you find some common ground with those types of players who are that young and talented you don’t trade them.
Besides, even if Minnesota has exhausted all options with him and was willing to part with Rossi, you know old Billy Guerin, their GM, is going to be asking for a king’s ransom for Rossi’s services, considering he knows the Flyers have three first and three second-round picks in this summers draft.
So, to me, the better option would be for the Flyers to look a little deeper into some playoff-caliber team’s depth charts to find a player who is playing above expectations in the minors, but because of their NHL clubs’ success has yet to be brought up to the big show.
With that mindset, I could think of no team better to start with than last year’s Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. A team that, for some time now, has been known to prefer the help of wisely old veterans to that of able-bodied youth.
Ryan McAllister
And, if they do that, Danny Briere and the rest of the Flyers brass would find a young 22-year-old center by the name Ryan McAllister, who the Panthers signed a few years back as an undrafted free agent from the NCAA’s Western Michigan University, which don’t forget is Keith Jones’ the Flyers President of Hockey Operations beloved Alma Mater.
Now, if you are not familiar with Ryan or his game, he is a 5’10, 185-pound center who made his claim to fame back in the 2021-2022 season while playing for the Brooks Bandits of the then AJHL, where he won a slew of awards. When he was able to score 57 goals and 82 assists for 139 points in 60 regular season games played. Folks that means he was netting, on average, 2.31 points per game. A feat that he was able to duplicate come playoff time that year when he scored ten goals and 19 assists for 29 points in 13 games played for an average of 2.23 points per game.
And with him having that type of year, it obviously caught the attention of Western Michigan, where the very next season, in 2022-2023, Ryan was able to step right into the NCAA as a freshman and take it by storm, scoring 13 goals and 36 assists for 49 points in 39 games played for an average of 1.25 points-per-game.
Now, a few short years removed from his collegiate days, McAllister is prospering nicely to the tune of seven goals and eight assists for 15 points scored in 16 games played for the Panthers AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Who, if he continues at this pace, Ryan is projected to finish the season with 28 goals, and 33 assists, for 61 points.
But, as impressive as those stats may be, what I like most about McAllister is the fact that his presence on the ice usually results in everyone around him raising their game and point totals. Take, for instance, his former linemates from the Bandits, forward T.J. Hughes and defenseman Zach Bookman. Before the two became linemates, Hughes only managed to score 15 goals and 31 points the previous season. But when put on a line with McAllister every night his stats skyrocketed to 66 goals and 61 assists for a total of 127 regular season points. This kind of season, of course, led to Hughes receiving an excellent opportunity to play for the University of Michigan, where he has had moderate success at best and, sadly, to this point, has failed to get drafted or signed by an NHL team; which explains why he is still playing there three seasons later.
The same goes for Zach Bookman. The year Bookman played an entire season with Ryan for the Bandits, Zac looked as though he was on his way to fame and fortune, considering he managed to break the AJHL record for points scored by a defenseman when he posted (102). A record, mind you, that was previously held by none other than the great Cal Makar, who only managed to post a measly (75) points. But now that Zac is three years removed from playing with Ryan seeing that he choose to take his talents to Merrimack College, you can still find him playing there, totaling just six points in 16 games played this season.
If that’s not enough evidence, you can also look at a guy like Jason Polin, who (thanks to Ryan) is now a Colorado Avalanche prospect. Before McAllister joined him at Western Michigan, Jason finished the 21-22 campaign with a respectable 16 goals and 26 points, but the following year, when Ryan joined the team, Polin saw his numbers rise to new heights, netting 30 goals and 47 points. However, just like the others since then, Polin has not been able to recreate the kind of production he had previously while playing with McAllister. And to better prove my point, I think it should be noted that Polin has only managed to post just six points this season for Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Eagles.
Now, this, of course, was not meant to be a shot at any one of these players, for they have made it much farther playing this great game than I did. Instead, it was merely a way I could show how good McAllister really is. I could go on, but I believe you are beginning to get my point, which is that everywhere McAllister has played, his teams have seen not only success but also a massive surge in their offensive production. So, if the Flyers were to acquire Ryan McAllister from the Panthers for, say, a bottom-six guy like Bobby Brink or a defenseman with Stanley Cup Winning experience like Erik Johnson, who would hopefully assist Florida in their pursuit of a possible repeat this spring. Then, I would be willing to bet that Ryan could do the same here in Philadelphia.
Again, like the Flyers provided Owen Tippett, all McAllister may need is a chance to prove himself. The question is, are the Flyers smart enough to give him that chance?
Top Five Forwards Available in the 2025 NHL Draft
Photo Credit: NYTimes.com
With Thanksgiving now over and the Christmas season now upon us, I thought it would be nice if I were to provide you with a bit of light reading on this year’s top five forwards that will be available for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. This article is, of course, subjective, being that it’s based on my opinion and will ultimately depend on the needs or wants of whatever struggling teams get awarded the luxury of drafting this early.
So, with us keeping that in mind, here we go.
James Hagens
The consensus number-one pick for some time now has been James Hagens. An 18-year-old American-born center who last year captivated scouts and fans alike when he was able to score an impressive 39 goals and 63 assists for a total of 102 points in only 58 games played for the USA Hockey’s National Development Program. And, if that 1.75 points-per-game average wasn’t impressive enough, you might be surprised to know that when Hagens wasn’t putting the puck in the back of the net, he was busy getting back and playing defense, as well as made evident by his +43 average. Keep in mind that he accomplished all of this in his draft minus one season, mind you.
But, with him not being able to score this season at the same rate he did last year now that he has made the move to the NCAA to play for Boston College, some experts have started to question whether he is still deserving of that elevated pedestal that they previously placed him on.
And, while I get why they might be questioning their prior premonitions given the multitude of talented prospects that will be available this summer. I will say this: while I know that he has only been able to score four goals in 14 games played this year. Let us not forget that he is a true freshman playing on a team that has 12 players who have previously been drafted by an NHL franchise also on their roster. So, let us not glance over the fact that James has been able to compile 14 assists this year. I mean, come on, if you were playing on a team or line with guys like Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, wouldn’t you pass the puck to them?
In my mind, Hagens is still one of the best players to come out of this draft class. Let’s not forget that last season, James broke Nikita Kucherov’s record for total points scored at the World Junior Champions U18 (WJC) Tournament when he totaled an unthinkable 22 points in seven games played! Not to mention the fact that his shot and ability to skate with the puck on his stick without EVER looking down is unmatched.
But still, if I’m being honest, earlier this season, I think James tried to do too much. For example, Hagens tried to skate the puck deep into the offensive zone every time he had it. Now, I’m sorry, James, but I’m pretty sure all of your opponents have received a scouting report on you, and that’s why when Hagens did so early on in the season, James had all five members of the opposition pounce on him when he crossed the blue line. Since then, I think he has come to the realization that he is no longer playing junior hockey and has adjusted accordingly; in saying that, I expect James to have a monster second half of the season, and with that, he will be able to maintain his rightful place in the discussions of players to be taken 1st overall this summer.
Porter Martone
The second prospect that I think we should talk about is an 18-year-old Canadian-born player named Porter Martone. Porter, who currently plays for and is the captain of the Ontario Hockey Leagues (OHL’s) Brampton Steelheads, is a 6’3, 207-pound winger who has been absolutely unstoppable throughout the last two seasons.
To prove that, all you have to do is look at his stats. During his draft minus one season last year, Porter was able to net himself 33 goals and 38 assists for 71 points. He was able to go then and add to his impressive season by totaling 17 points in seven games played at the World Juniors.
But as remarkable as those stats may sound, thanks to him already possessing the kind of size and strength most NHL power forwards can only wish they had, Martone is on pace this season to blow his previous career totals from last year right out of the water. That’s because, through just 24 games played this season, Martone has already managed to gather 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points, which means he is currently projected to amass 56 goals and 84 assists for a total of 140 points this season.
In my mind, this young man is developing into someone who will be the face of one lucky NHL team’s franchise for the next 10-15 years. Yes, he is that good, and I can’t wait to see what he does at the next level because, honestly, he does not have much else to prove at the junior level.
Michael Misa
Now, with what I just said about Martone, you would think that he is Canada’s clear-cut top prospect for this draft, but you would be wrong because there is a 17-year-old who goes by the name Michael Misa, who might be Canada’s 1A prospect. And here’s why. Misa is a 6’1, 185-pound center/wing who plays for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. But what’s interesting about him is that he was just the eighth player in CHL history to be granted exceptional status, which is when the league takes note of a player with extraordinary abilities and allows them to play in the league as a 15-year-old.
And boy, did they ever make the right decision. Because over the past two seasons, Misa was able to collect a combined 51 goals and 80 assists for 131 points; which he is well on his way to either matching or surpassing those totals this season alone! Yes, you read that right. Michael already has 25 goals and 24 assists for 49 points this season, and if he keeps playing at this level, he is projected to amass a total of 66 goals and 63 assists for a total of 129 points this year. Folks, in case you’re not aware, those kinds of totals will put him in the same company as a guy named John Tavares, for whom this whole exceptional status rule was enacted.
So, it should go without saying that Misa is an exceptional talent. He is able to put points in bunches and makes it look easy while doing it. He is a player who could come in and provide instant offense at the NHL level and will make whatever team that does draft him competitive for a very long time.
Anton Frondell
For our first European-born player, I would like to introduce you to a kid named Anton Frondell from Sweden. Anton is a 17-year-old two-way center who currently stands in at 6’0 tall and 196 pounds.
As far as his play style goes. Well, as you can imagine, as with any Swedish player that has been drafted as high as this young man is being projected to go, Anton is a dangler, a guy who finds ways through seemingly impossible traps set by his enemies (in this case his opponents) to reach his desired location to release the puck. To go with that, Frondell possesses, you guessed it, the kind of release that makes others around him jealous.
So, with that being said, expect teams like the Ducks, the Redwings, and the Canucks, who love them some Swedes, to come calling for his services.
For my last pick for whom I think should be considered as one of this upcoming summer’s top five forwards, I have to go with a guy who, although he is currently hurt, I believe teams won’t be able to pass him by, and that’s Roger McQueen.
Roger McQueen
That’s because McQueen, who plays for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, has something that you just can’t teach, and that’s SIZE! Roger is a 6’5, 192-pound center who plays with extreme grit and plenty of heart. And, as you or I would like to be able to do when Roger is lining up in the dot to take a face-off or heading into the boards to try to retrieve a puck in the offensive zone, McQueen takes full advantage of his size, and strength and uses it to take his opponent not only off their feet but entirely out of the play all together.
Now, as I said, he is currently hurt, but before he got injured, Roger was set to challenge Laurie Boschman for his team’s record of the most goals scored by a player in their draft year when he scored eight goals in eight games. (The record was 66 goals)
This comes after a season where McQueen finished with 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 53 games played last year.
And, as we all know, when you have that kind of size and goal-scoring ability, GMs will likely be pushing people out of the way on the draft floor just so that they can reach the podium to call his name.
So, there you have it, my top five forwards that will be available for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. And I assure you that these are but a few players in this loaded draft class that will prove to be capable of being a rebuilding team’s cornerstone piece of the foundation they are trying to lay in their efforts to become competitive once again.
As for the others capable of being this type of player, look for similar articles I will have coming out in the near future on the top five defenders as well as the top five goaltenders of this draft.
The Flyers Should Claim Kasperi Kapanen off Waivers, and Here’s Why
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, the St. Louis Blues placed former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen, who is signed to a one-year $ 1,000,000 deal that expires at the end of this season, on waivers with hopes that he will pass unscathed so that they could assign him to their American Hockey League affiliate the Springfield Thunderbirds.
But I think it would be wise for the Flyers to place a claim on him, and here’s why.
However, before we start, let me first say so we are all clear I know where you think this is going. Oh, Kasperi is Sami Kapanen’s son. Wouldn’t it be nice to have them together, seeing that Sami is working for the Flyers now in the position of both a Development Coach and a Pro Scout? But that is not my intent at all.
I assure you my intent to claim him is strictly business. Philadelphia is still in the middle of a rebuild and has had multiple players in recent weeks being rumored to either be shopped by the team or having other franchises calling about their possible availability.
Hearing that, I feel Kasperi could serve as an affordable fill-in who could play out the rest of this season if one or more of those rumored players end up being moved. But more on that in a minute.
Those rumored Flyers players include:
Scott Laughton
Scott’s name should come as no surprise here because it has been floating around the rumor mills for at least at the past couple of trade deadlines. For good reason, I might add. Scott, who is a former first-round pick, has also been the consummate professional who has done whatever has been asked of him since way back in 2012 when he was drafted. Whether that be to play center or wing, battle it out in the bottom six of the lineup, or play a more offensive role when penciled into the top six when injuries occur, Laughton has always been happy to oblige. In addition, Laughton is one of the team’s best penaltykillers and forecheckers.
With that being said, you can see why teams would want Scott and what kind of value he could bring to a playoff-caliber squad down the stretch.
As far as the Flyers go, while they do hold Scott in high esteem, his lack of point production looks like it could easily be replaced by newcomer Anthony Richard, who has shown he can be that same Swiss Army knife type of guy for a fraction of the three million dollar cap hit that Laughton is signed to for the rest of this season and the following one after that.
So, the Flyers might be willing to take someone up on an offer for him if they come with another first or second-round draft selection for this summer.
Joel Farabee/Bobby Brink
Either one of these guys leaving would sting a little more, considering Joel is a former first-round pick who is just 24 years old and finished last season with 22 goals and 28 assists for 50 points. And Bobby is a former second-round pick who is just 23. But let’s not forget with the addition of the highly anticipated winger Matvei Michkov. The Flyers now have Owen Tippett, Travis Konecny, and Tyson Foerster, who, when put together, have this team’s top four wingers pretty locked up.
So, the position rankings have changed a little, and with that, both Joel’s and Bobby’s play has suffered a little, as evident by Joel totaling just three goals and five assists for eight points this season. And Bobby having scored just three goals and six assists for nine points this year, not to mention the fact that both are currently minus players.
Besides, throughout his short career, Farabee has shown himself to be very streaky. What I mean by that is when he is on, he is on and puts up points in bunches. But when he is off, he appears to become almost nonexistent out on the ice. And that’s not at all acceptable when you’re getting paid $5,000,000 a season until the year 2028. And Bobby is no longer on his rookie deal. He is now being paid $1,500,000 to bounce in and out of the lineup.
So, while I feel both are assets to this team, their position at the moment is a bit loaded with guys. And both might benefit from a trade that would give them the kind of consistent playing time on someone else’s top two lines. Not to mention, the Flyers might benefit from another high-end draft pick or an existing prospect that already is in a team’s system that maybe I don’t know can take a faceoff and score goals, seeing that it appears to be a pretty big need at the moment.
With that being said, both Farabee and Brink’s names have come up in recent chatter, with the most serious inquiries coming out of Minnesota, where the Wild, who are currently seated in second place in the Central Division, have some ground to make up on Winnipeg if they hope to compete for a shot at the division title not to mention separating themselves from the likes of the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche who are nipping at their heels.
This is why I would say if Minnesota were willing to part with either Riley Heidt or Hunter Haight in a deal, Philadelphia should at least be willing to listen.
(In addition, Boston has also been rumored to check in on Farabee’s availability)
Morgan Frost
A final name that would make sense in this conversation would be Morgan Frost. Morgan’s name has been involved in the rumor mill for quite some time now. This, of course, stems from him constantly being in Head Coach John Tortorella’s doghouse. An example of this would be him being forced to take in the last couple of games from the press box as he was labeled a healthy scratch. For good reason, I might add. For this season, Morgan has only been able to post one goal and five assists for a total of six points in 16 games played. In addition to that, he is averaging a -10 on the season and a -32 for his career. At this point, I think it’s safe to say that Philly has seen just about enough of Frost’s inconsistent play to justify moving on from him.
Thankfully, given the fact that he is still 25 years of age and playing on an expiring contract that pays him $2,100,000, he will still be a restricted free agent after the season, and the Flyers might be willing to retain some of if the right trade were to come along. And, just because it did not work out here doesn’t mean that teams aren’t still interested in this former multiple season 100+ point scorer in juniors.
Now, while I agree he may not be ideal, Kapanen, who is 6’1 and 194 pounds, comes with the aforementioned NHL Pedigree, over 470 games of NHL experience, and is a former 20-goal scorer. He is still just 28 years of age, can play on either side of the face-off dot, and has managed to stay a plus player for the entirety of his career.
Kasperi Kapanen
Again, Kasperi is on an expiring deal that only pays him $1,000,000, and if others mentioned above do get moved, Kapanen is more than capable of filling in for them. He still exhibits breakaway-type speed, and tallies highlight reel goals when given the opportunity. So, the likelihood of him being able to revitalize his career here if given consistent playing time with any of the remaining young core of players on this team is not out of the realm of possibilities.
I mean, hell, they’re paying Ryan Poehling nearly double that right now, and he has a big fat goose egg in the goal column, so why not take a chance on him? What’s the worst thing that could happen? He doesn’t produce? So, you put him back on waivers.
OK. Let’s be honest with the Flyers still looking to shed some unwanted players and their inflated salaries, Kapanen could allow the team to feel comfortable enough to make a deal consisting of one of the other players mentioned above as they did for Sean Walker at the deadline in order to garner some much-needed draft capital.
Making a Case for the Flyers to Draft Defenders with Some Grit this Summer
Photo Credit: Barrie Colts
Currently, the Flyers are battling it out with the Nashville Predators for the right to draft James Hagens number one overall this summer, seeing as they both are currently tied for the worst record in the league, totaling only nine points in 13 games played. And this is sad because if you think about it, the Flyers have been “in the middle of a rebuild” since they made their initial move of trading Jakub Voracek back to the Blue Jackets in 2021.
But it hasn’t been all bad. The Flyers were able to get what looks to be like a future superstar in making with their selection of Matvei Michkov. Not to mention, them trying to kick start this rebuild off right by building a team from the back out when they decided to select multiple goaltenders over the years like Aleksei Kolosov (who we have seen make the jump recently with the injury to Ersson), Carson Bjarnason who is still playing in the WHL, and Yegor Zavragin who is currently taking the KHL by storm and might prove to be the best of them all. But we all know that goalies usually take some time to develop.
Working under that same train of thought, the Flyers have put a renewed focus on acquiring some offensively talented youth on the back end. And, with management adding players in recent years like 23-year-old defender Cam York, whom they took in the first round of the 2019 Draft, 22-year-old Jamie Drysdale, who they acquired in a trade for the now despised Cutter Gauthier, and them taking 22-year-old Emil Andrae back in the second round of the 2020 Draft one would say that they have managed to do just that.
However, with all these defenders now becoming regulars in the lineup, one thing that has become abundantly clear when I watch the Orange and Black play is the lack of anybody on the blueline playing with physicality. In numerous games this year, I’ve noticed that the Flyers’ defensive core is not finishing their checks. They choose to retreat rather than challenge their opponents at the blue line and are getting bodied by the opposition’s power forward in front of the net, thus letting them get behind them which is a big no-no. This makes our defenders widely ineffective in their effort to clear the screen from in front of their goalie. So, noticing this, what do they then do? Well, I can tell you that they aren’t even bothering to try and lift their opponents’ stick when a shot is coming in like they should be doing . Instead, they chose to abandon their man to try and chase the player with the puck along the boards.
But I’m not blaming these young, offensively-minded, skilled defenders for this. For that is not part of their game. However, it does not negate the fact that the Flyers lack an actual physical presence on the back end. You know, a player with the kind of grit that bullies’ guys like Chris Pronger and Radko Gudas did while playing for the Flyers.
Now, I’m a realist; in no way am I expecting the team to produce a generational talent like Chris Pronger out of thin air. But I do think it is possible to find a junkyard dog like Dustin Byfuglien or a Brooks Orpik. This type of player could not only provide adequate help in all the problem areas listed above, but they would also be able to deliver the kind of jaw-rattling hits that wear down the competition in a seven-game playoff series. Much like Byfuglien and Orpik did for multiple post-season runs for their respected clubs, which saw them both become Stanley Cup Champions.
And, while we are on the topic, Nicolas Deslauriers can not be expected to be the only protector out there, especially when he is only playing five to seven minutes a night. We need a player on the back end with a little backbone who’s not afraid to drop the gloves so that the team’s highest-paid player Sean Couturier (who makes $7.75 million a year), doesn’t feel the need to have to step up and come to the aid of the teams’ young star Matvei Michkov whenever the opposing team takes a cheap shot on him. I mean, I respect Coots for it. But it would be nice not to have to lose him for five minutes at a time when that happens.
To their credit, though, the Flyers thought they were going to get that when they stepped up and gave Buffalo a first and a second-round pick for the 6’4 208-pound defender Rasmus Ristolainen, but since joining the Flyers, this once feared physical presence has become nothing more than a $5.1 million unnoticeable body to throw out there so that other more talented players take a rest.
Once again, I think that this has not gone unnoticed by the team because, throughout the past two drafts, the team’s general manager, Danny Briere, has tried to rectify this issue by drafting the 6’6, 230-pound blueliner Matteo Mann back in the 7th round of the 2023 draft and the 6’4 186-pound Spencer Gill in the second round of the 2024 draft.
But to be honest, if I were an NHL player, neither of these QMJHL defenders would intimidate me. Mann is slow and skates very awkwardly, and if he doesn’t do something about that, he will never reach the ranks of the NHL. And as far as Gill goes, while he is more physical, he chases hits and is so uncomfortable with the puck on his stick that it is concerning. What I mean by that is while Gill is still young, I feel the team reached when selecting him, for in my mind, a second-round pick should not be so uncomfortable handling a puck that he blindly rushes passes to teammates skates while their backs are still turned to him, or giving up puck possession by dumping the puck down the ice causing an icing just because a player from the opposition starts to skate towards him.
Therefore, I think the team needs to utilize a couple of their potential six selections in the first two rounds on prospects that can fill this void sooner rather than later.
Kashawn Aitcheson
The first of which I would suggest be used on the 6’1, 198-pound OHL’s Barrie Colts defender Kashawn Aitcheson, who plays with that snarl that we need while also being able to offer something offensively as well.
Aitcheson is expected to go somewhere in the mid-teens of the first round, and for good reason. Kashawn is an absolute shutdown defender! Commonly being tasked by his coaching staff to cover guys like the OHL’s Porter Martone and Michael Misa (who will both be Top 5 picks this summer), Aitcheson just smiles and says that he loves a challenge. For he knows the only way they are going to get their name on the score sheet that night is if he gets under their skin enough that they act out and take a penalty against him. An antagonist, if you will.
Now, you may be wondering how Kashawn is able to do all this. Well, that’s because while he does play a physical game, excelling at all those things that I stated that the Flyers’ defensive core currently lacks, he also has excellent mobility, which allows him to be able to turn on a dime and skate stride for stride with either the oppositions top players when they are on a fast break towards his goalie, or with his teammates when he has the opportunity to join them on a rush.
If the Flyers drafted Aitcheson, they would be getting an almost instantaneous upgrade to their starting six, for he is a player who not only could make the team’s opening night roster as early as next year but a player who would be able to complement one of their current offensive defensemen while —providing that stay-at-home type of security they need to allow them to do their jobs.
Carter Amico
The second is the 6’5 205 pound American-born right-hand shooting defender Carter Amico. In my opinion, Amico could be a good backup plan for Aitcheson, or better yet, in addition to.
And that’s because Carter is just a solid old-school stay-at-home defenseman who plays the game the right way. Whether he is winning board battles by annihilating his opponent or making the opposition regret their decision to stand in front of the net, Carter does it with style and grit. For he is an absolute punishing presence, who proves to be a menace any time the opposing team comes across his blue line.
Amico is currently being given a second-round grade and can be found playing for the USA’s National Development Team. But he will most likely take a little longer to develop given his size, even though he moves well for a big man, so expect him to honor his previous commitment to play for Boston University, where Carter will hone his craft until he can join the ranks of the NHL.
Folks, Philadelphia needs to channel their Broad Street Bullies mentality and draft these young men because right now, there is no balance to the Flyers’ defensive core to the point they look as though they are just running with four wingers and one center out there. Wide-open hockey with little to no thought in playing actual defense that is leaving our young and inexperienced NHL goalies like Aleksei Kolosov and Ivan Fedotov hung out to dry. And if they don’t, this franchise is going to be in an endless state of rebuilding.
Let’s be honest: the term “Defense Wins Championships” applies in this sport, too. And, honestly, I’m tired of this city blaming the goaltending year in and year out. Too many times, we trade away or get rid of a goaltender for their poor play. But we forget that in order for our goalie to even have had to face a shot from the opposition, five other players on his team had to make a mistake.
So, the Flyers have to decide whether they want to be flashy and continue to employ only offensive-minded defensemen who, when you compare their plus-minus ratings on a nightly basis to a round of golf they, would set course records. Or do they want to win games and thus bring in some defensemen who, gee, I don’t know, “actually play some defense”?
Just a thought: let me know what you think.
Prospect Watch: Carter Bear
Photo Credit: https://chl.ca/whl-silvertips
Every year, so-called draft experts put out a preseason mock draft that tries to project where potential draft-eligible players will be taken. And somehow, every year, there manages to be a few prospects whose unexpected play allows them to absolutely explode onto the scene, leaving us all stupefied to where they came from. One such 2025 NHL Draft-eligible player who has managed to do just that this season is Carter Bear. Now, if you don’t know Carter, he is an 18-year-old Canadian-born prospect who hails from the Indigenous Peguis First Nation Tribe of Manitoba.
But, like most players of Objiway and or Cree descent, Carter is used to being overlooked and having to fight for the respect he deserves. For example, Bear was not taken by his current team, the Everett Silvertips, until the 6th round of the 2021 Western Hockey League’s Bantam Draft.
And, oh, how they are glad that they did make that selection. Because so far this season, Carter has been operating at a near 1.70 point-per-game pace, compiling 14 goals and 13 assists for a total of 27 points in only 16 games played, which, if you do a little math means that he is currently on pace to finish the season with 60 goals and 55 assists for a total of 115 points!
But, while Bear does seem to be dominating his competition, given his unrelenting drive, superior edges, and exemplary finishing ability, he’s also proving to be more than just another forward who can accumulate points in bunches. Unlike most players his age, Carter plays a mature game. And what I mean by that is he understands that if he wants to succeed at the next level he better get back and play defense as well. Which, he does so flawlessly, as he currently is averaging a +16 rating on the year and is projected to finish the season a +68.
That’s why, for these reasons mentioned above, I feel Carter is one of the fastest-rising prospects in this draft class. Starting the season, viewed as a mid-round draft pick, Bear has quickly managed to hurtle himself past the masses to the point where he is beginning to pop up on a lot of teams’ radar. And, while he may still not be viewed as most teams’ first choice come draft day, I assure you whoever ends up with him, Bear will undoubtedly spend the next decade making them look very astute.
Should Flyers Management Start Looking for a Possible Replacement for Torts?
Photo Credit: https://forums.hfboards.com/
Let me start this article off by saying that at the time of his hire, I do believe the Flyers made the right decision when they chose their current Head Coach, John Tortorella. I mean, he came with a pedigree that consisted of a Stanley Cup Win and two Jack Adams Awards, not to mention the fact that his brash, no-nonsense coaching style was exactly what this team needed at the time to help them weed out some of their locker-room cancers. You know, the players that had been around this team a little too long and, therefore, had grown comfortable with the state of mediocrity they were in, especially if it meant that after the regular season, they could get an early start on their summer vacation plans.
But the team is no longer at the start of a rebuild. This franchise is now three years into this renovation. The problems are long gone, and new management has been put into place, which has made significant efforts to get their club younger and faster by bringing in quality draft picks like Matvei Michkov and Jett Luchanko, to name a few. They also continue to set themselves up for the future by accumulating a multitude of other top-tier draft pick compensations that they will hopefully utilize during the 2025 draft this upcoming summer in an effort to continue to restock their once-barren farm system.
Still, even though management was able to gift Torts the young 19-year-old superstar in the making (Matvei Michkov) who leads all Rookies this year in goals and points, the team finds themselves amongst the league’s bottom dwellers winning just three of their now ten games played. So despite them having just won for the first time in Boston since 2011, I feel they are in trouble. If you look at the standings, you will see that the Bruins are dead last in the Atlantic Division. And the Flyers are only a point ahead of the league’s worst team, the San Jose Sharks.
So, with that being said, I think Tortorella has served his purpose here, and the team should be at least starting to look for his possible replacement. Do you disagree with me?
Well, let me provide you with some facts. With 2025 right around the corner, it means that it has been close to 21 years since Torts last raised a Stanley Cup. And it’s been seven years since he last won a Jack Adams award for being viewed as the league’s best coach. Even then, mind you, after winning 50 games during the regular season with the Blue Jackets, John’s team only managed to win one post season game before being knocked out of the playoffs and sent home packing.
Now, I’ll give him credit. It is pretty impressive that he has been able to achieve the honor of being named the Head Coach of five different organizations in the NHL throughout his career, not to mention him winning over 745 regular season games during that same time. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that over his three years in Philadelphia, he has only managed to obtain an abysmal .486 win percentage, which if you look at his stats is by far the worst of any team, he has previously coached or been fired from over his 23-year career.
In saying that, I don’t know about you, but I expect a little more this far into the rebuild. I mean, last season, this team, without Michkov or any other true superstar on the roster, held down a playoff position for over 110 straight days before succumbing to multiple injuries on the back end that led to their abrupt fall from grace.
So, with virtually the same team coming back, I ask you, what’s the problem? And what is the coaching staff willing to do about it? The answer: Nothing! So far this season, when asked by the media, Tortorella just chalks the team’s inability to win games up to their youth—reiterating on multiple occasions that the team is young and going to struggle at times, which I get to a point. But if that is true, why is he not trying to implement a plan of action to prevent that problem from happening?
And why, after back-to-back seasons of finishing with the league’s worst power play percentage, did he not choose to fire his assistant, Rocky Thompson? Granted, the PP has been better this year thanks to #39, but what happens when Matvei’s English gets better, and he will then be expected to actually have to listen to this guy who made a career out of punching in the face of his opponents, let alone the fact that he never even scored a goal in the NHL or the fact that he never saw any playing time while his team was on the man advantage. Let it be known that Thompson’s systems have not changed; the team is just benefiting from Michkov’s pure talent and current language barrier.
So, I ask you, with the team’s youth movement now well underway, should we still be employing a coach who historically has always favored veteran players over inexperienced youth?
Or should we bring in a coach with some fresh ideas and lots of experience coaching young men to glory?
Suppose you agree with the latter statement. Here are a couple of names I would suggest the Flyers at least start kicking the tires on.
Todd Nelson
Nelson is currently the Head Coach of the American Hockey League Hersey Bears. A team that is coming off a season where they won over 77% of their regular season games (53 to be exact) and then went onto the playoffs where they were able to repeat their success from last season, which garnered them back-to-back Calder Cup Championships. For his efforts, Todd was also lucky enough to be asked to coach in back-to-back AHL All-Star Games, as well as being named the AHL Coach of the Year last season, where he was given the (Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award).
But I assure you Todd is not just some overnight success. Serving as a Head Coach back in the early 00’s for the UHL’s Muskegon Fury, Nelson was able to coach the team to back-to-back Championships. He won an AHL Championship serving as an Assistant Coach for the Chicago Wolfs back in 2008 and added another Calder Cup Championship in 2017 when he was serving as the Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Still, with all those years of success and over 400 wins accumulated coaching in the minors, Nelson is not new to teaching at the highest level. In the past, he served as an assistant for the Atlanta Thrashers, Edmonton Oilers, and the Dallas Stars.
With all this being said, I think it would be well deserved if he were ever to be afforded the opportunity to be the next head coach of the Flyers.
Rand Pecknold
Another worthy candidate for the Flyers’ top spot, if it were ever to come available, would be the NCAA’s current active leader in wins, Rand Pecknold of the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Rand has spent the past 30 years building this now colligate powerhouse from the ground up. And it should be known that he has been able to do so with a fraction of the budget that some of his fellow Eastern College Athletic Conference coaches have.
Still, with less funds and no flashy gimmicks in place to get top-tier talent to come to the little town of Hamden, Connecticut, to play for him. Pecknold has managed to accrue an incredible 642 career wins. He’s done so through developing a keen eye for prospects who are willing to play a complete 200ft game and be defensibly responsible. Players that are going to be there to learn how to be a successful member of a team and not just focus on their individual point totals.
This method has allowed his previous teams to reach multiple Frozen Four Tournaments and earned them a National Championship in 2023.
Now, while others have tried in the past to lure Rand away from the team, he has poured so much of his blood, sweat, and tears into. A chance to coach a historic franchise such as the Flyers may just prove too enticing to pass up.
Dale Hunter
The last name that I would suggest the Flyers check into the availability of would be the OHL’s Dale Hunter, who coaches for one of the Flyers’ most trusted spots to select young talent from, and that would be the London Knights. Now, Dale, who served as the captain for the Washington Capitals for a great many years, retired back in 1999 from the NHL and, almost immediately upon doing so, became part owner of the Knights, where he has been the Head Coach ever since.
During that time, Dale has managed to pile up well over 900 regular season wins in the OHL, as well as winning four league championships, with the latest actually coming last year, where he got the chance to coach both the Flyers center prospect Denver Barkey and their defensive prospect Oliver Bonk.
Hunter knows what it takes to win in the NHL, and when you compare his hard-nosed, gritty play style and his relentless will to win, Dale seems like he would be a perfect fit to slide into what hopefully one day soon will be a vacant coaching position on South Broad Street.
As I said, I respect John Tortorella as a coach. In fact, he is just the kind of coach that would have fueled me to prove him wrong back in my playing days. But let’s face it, today’s kids are not built the same way some of us Gen X’ers were, which is why Torts’ old-school coaching style never seems to allow him to retain a job for any considerable amount of time. So, with a new influx of youth being brought into the Flyers lineup already, along with the possible addition of up to six players to be taken by the Flyers in the top 64 picks this summer, why not go ahead and replace this struggling relic with someone who has been spending the last 20 years providing tutelage to today’s future pros.?
Prospect Watch: Nathan Behm
Photo Credit: Kamloops Blazers X Page
Most leagues around the world are now close to a dozen or so games into their respective seasons. With being said, one name that has surprised me thus far is Nathan Behm, who plays for the Western Hockey League’s Kamloops Blazers. Nathan, who is 2025 Draft eligible prospect, is a 6’2, 198-pound winger who can line up on either side of the face-off dot and be equally effective, so much so that he has managed to come out this season and set the officials scoresheet on fire. Netting eleven goals and seven assists for an impressive total of 18 points in only eleven games played! And, to put into perspective just how good his production has been this year, his goal-a-game average finds him only trailing the diminutive dynamo Cameron Schmidt of the Vancouver Giants, who has tallied 12 goals this year for supremacy of the WHL leaderboard. Here’s the catch, though. Schmidt was/is viewed by many as a projected first-round NHL draft pick for some time now.
So, you have to figure when you’re playing that close to greatness, it can only mean that your stock should be on the rise. That’s why if Nathan can keep this pace up, I would not be surprised if he hears his name being called somewhere in the second round of this upcoming summers draft.
Now that I have your attention, let’s break down Nathan’s game. As I already stated when I provided you with his height and weight above, Behm is a player who already possesses NHL size and strength. And it’s that combo that allows Nathan to push his opponents off the puck during scrums in the corner. Where he then, effortlessly creates distance from them with just a few short powerful strides. But that’s not all; because of his lanky frame, Nathan wields what to some would seem to be an unusually long stick, but to him, it fits just right. And with it, Behm can stretch out and receive a leading pass on a fast break that is saucered to where only he can get it, which often leaves him off to the races.
And my oh my, what a talent he is in the offensive zone. Whether he is setting up around the face dots or in tight around the goal mouth Nathan just has a knack for knowing where the puck is going to end up. So that he can put home a nice juicy rebound or set himself up to perform his (what should be patent pending) finishing move, which I call the “Turn and Burn.” Where if you’re not familiar with it, Nathan will set up with his back to the goalie; then, upon receiving the pass, Behm blindly completes a 180-degree turn only to blast it past the goaltender’s glove or blocker.
I’m telling you guys. Behm has the kind of scoring touch that NHL scouts fall in love with, and with any hope, maybe your favorite NHL team will be the one lucky enough to get to draft him.
Is it too Early for the Flyers to Start to Re-Evaluate Their Options in Net?
HERE WE GO AGAIN….Well, folks, I know we are only a couple of games into the season, but with the Flyers giving up a combined 16 GOALS in the last three games, it appears once again that Philadelphia may have a problem in net.
For far too long now, the Philadelphia Flyers have been without a franchise goaltender. To the point that I would say the last real one they had was Ron Hextall, and he last played for the Orange and Black in the 1998-1999 season. That’s 25 years ago! So, to say that the Flyers have struggled to find Hexy’s replacement would be an understatement, especially when you factor in that they have started a total of 33 goaltenders since that time.
Still, that’s not to say that they didn’t have at least one goalie during that time that could have turned out to be “The Guy.” I mean, they convinced Sergei Bobrovsky to come over from Russia when he was just 22 years old. But they, of course, managed to piss him off by signing Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year deal worth an unheard-of $51 million that forced Bob out of town. Where since then, he only managed to win a Stanley Cup and a couple of Vezina Trophies. Not to mention the fact that he should quickly move into the top ten in all-time wins this season, considering that he is currently sitting at 398 career victories.
But, enough about the past, let us talk about the present. Now, I don’t have a problem with the young Sam Ersson. In fact, I commend him for stepping up last season after the sudden departure of Carter Hart. And for his efforts already this season where he managed to start back right where he left off by making some huge stops, especially in the first period of the first game this season while the Flyers were still trying to get their skates under them. The question is, do you think he is the long-term answer in net? I would say NO! While I do believe he is serviceable for the time being, I’m not ready to turn the net over to him for the next ten years.
We will save that discussion for another day, though, because in my mind, the more immediate question that needs to be answered is what the team should do with the colossal netminder Ivan Fedotov. After most of us gave up on the idea that this 6’7 goalkeeper (whom the team drafted way back in 2015) would ever come over and join this team, he finally did at the end of last season. And the scary thing is that after having him start in just three games (and winning none of them) for the team last season the Flyers felt confident enough to ink him this summer to a two-year $6.5 million deal. Despite Ivan averaging a horrendous 4.95 goals against average and an abysmal .811 save percentage in those three games.
Now, before you come to his defense, let me remind you that Ivan is no kid. He is a 27-year-old man who, previous to joining the Flyers, has played in a part of seven seasons in Russia’s top professional league, the KHL. Where he won both their league championship and their version of the Vezina Trophy after being voted the league’s top-rated goaltender. And, in my defense, I’ve been advocating for some time now that it may take Fedotov some time to get use to the smaller/faster North American-style ice surface. But I have to say that he’s had a whole off-season and multiple preseason games to do that, so by now, a goaltender with his championship pedigree should have figured it out.
But instead, here we are once again talking about the Flyers having goaltending issues. This of course, is being made apparent after Ivan has now started in two games this season, and he is averaging an embarrassing 6.09 goals against average and a .818 save percentage.
I’ve played the goaltending position for over 30 years now, and I have coached the position as well. And to me, Fedotov, who previously relied heavily on his enormous size to help him in net, cannot seem to react fast enough to the speed and overall talent that he is now facing in the NHL. And because of that, he has been unable to stop simple shots coming in from the point and is having trouble controlling very manageable rebounds. I don’t know why this would come as such a surprise to some, considering the KHL is widely overrated. Case in point: last season, one of the KHL’s top five scorers was 32-year-old Jordan Weal—a guy who never amounted to much more than a call-up option during his time with the Flyers.
So, now looking back, Fedotov (despite his age and prior accomplishments) probably should have been made to prove himself in the AHL first before being given millions of dollars and being gifted a free pass to play in the NHL, all because the Flyers had a glaring hole in the blue paint with Carter Hart not returning.
Still think I’m crazy? Well, I urge you to browse both the Daily Faceoff and Bleacher Report articles provided below that rank each NHL team’s Goaltender Tandems prior to this season. You will see that they ranked the Flyers dead last in one and 31st in the other.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10138840-power-ranking-every-nhl-teams-goalie-tandem-for-2024-25
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/ranking-all-32-nhl-goalie-tandems-for-2024-25
Ready yet to admit the Flyers might have jumped the gun a little bit when they signed the three-game NHL veteran to such a lucrative deal? I thought so.
Let’s look at their other options if Fedotov continues his downward spiral. Well, you can forget about Cal Petersen and the $5 million salary cap hit he carries if he rejoins the Flyers in the NHL. They don’t have the cap space nor the need for another floundering goalie. They did sign former Shark’s netminder Eetu Makiniemi to a deal out of training camp, but let’s be honest, he was brought in just in case their 22-year-old goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov decided not to return to play in the AHL.
So, let’s talk about him for a moment. Alexei was drafted in the third round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and since then has been making quite the name for himself playing in parts of the last four seasons in the KHL. In fact, he became a gamer, a guy the Dinamo Minsk were able to count on to log a lot of minutes in net. But I don’t think he expected Fedotov to sign as well, hence why he was so willing to openly voice his displeasure on how he thinks the organization treated him when he first came over last season before the Phantoms’ playoff run.
We’re not going to dive into all that drama, though. Instead, I’ll just state that I think Kolosov needs to play as many games as possible. He is still developing and, therefore, needs the brunt of the workload that is going to be given to him at the AHL level. However, they might not have much of a choice if Fedotov continues to struggle. If that is indeed the case I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Kolosov’s name being put on the call-up list, for he did play pretty solid in the few preseason games that he managed to show up for.
How will this all play out? Well, we will just have to wait and see. All I know is the Flyers won’t likely want to do anything too drastic, seeing the team just utilized a 2nd and a 3rd round pick on goalies Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin in 2023, and both are developing fast.
With the Recent Events Happening in Philly Sports, I think it’s time this City Shift it’s Focus to the Flyers.
With the Mets bringing an early end to Red October and the Eagles already suffering multiple injuries to key players, I think it might be time for fans of this great sports city to shift their focus to the Flyers because, for the first time in a long time the Orange and Black are going to be putting out an opening night roster worthy of us getting excited about!
You heard me right. For years, the Flyers had put out the same old lineup, full of over-the-hill veterans who had sadly grown accustomed to mediocrity and, therefore, were ok with missing out on the playoffs if that meant that they could get an early jump on their golf game.
But ever since the organization finally wised up and replaced some of the stagnant problems up front with the likes of the now Head Coach John Tortorella, General Manager Danny Briere, and President of Hockey OPS Keith Jones, things have started to change for the better. And that’s because since being hired, these three men have been working tirelessly to rid this team of the locker room cancers that were dragging them down and replacing them with a youthful core of players who are hungry to compete.
Successfully, I meant add because this season, the Flyers boast the fifth youngest roster in the league. This is mainly due to both their 2023 first-round pick Matvei Michkov (who is 19) and 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchanko (who is 18) making the team.
But trust me, this was not out of luck or for some silly sales gimmick to sell jerseys. These two teenagers earned their spots.
Matvei Michkov
Michkov, who is only nineteen, as I previously stated, had already played in parts of three seasons in the KHL before joining the Flyers this season. Last year, of course, was his best season in Russia’s top professional league, where he posted 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 47 games played. So, of course, there was anticipation for his arrival, but I don’t think anyone could have thought he would have done as well as he did this preseason. I mean, he led the league in points, scoring an impressive 1.75 points per game, netting three goals and four assists for a total of seven points in only four games played!
Now, I know it’s only preseason, but Connor McDavid played in the same number of games this preseason and only managed to tally six points. I’M JUST SAYING.
But, as nice as his point production or play behind the net may be, for me, it’s what Michkov is able to do for others on the ice with him. For instance, if you have read any of my work before, you know I have not been the biggest Morgan Frost fan. And that’s because, to me, Morgan has never been able to live up to the hype this franchise placed on him after selecting him with one of their first-round picks in 2017. Magically, though, once placed on a line with Matvei, Frost suddenly came alive by finishing off the type of goals I haven’t seen him make since he was playing for the Soo Greyhounds back in juniors. This, I believe, should become known as the “Michkov Effect”. This means Matvei is so good that anyone you place him on a line with, he will make them instantly better. Take, for instance, Morgan. In Frost’s case, Michkov did that by setting him up with some amazing passes that he was able to put away and, with that, came a regained sense of confidence. And it’s that skill that few players truly possess that will make this team better as a whole.
Jett Luchanko
Then there’s Jett Luchanko. The player most of the so-called experts (this writer included) were screaming was the wrong pick for the team to make at thirteenth overall, especially with elite goal scorers like Cole Eiserman still on the board. But little did we know that the Flyers brass saw something in this young man. And I’m glad they did because since being drafted, I’ve noticed that there is so much more to Jett’s game than just his unmatched speed and incredible play-making ability like his pied piper-like luring talent. Let me explain. Watching him in games, I couldn’t believe how even some of the league’s most established veteran defensemen seemed so entranced by Jett. To the point that all four players on the opposition’s penalty-killing unit gravitated towards him despite Luchanko harmlessly coming down the boards, which in turn proved to be not so harmless, I guess since it left every other teammate of his wide open for a perfect scoring chance.
Hearing all this, it makes sense why Jett is set to become the youngest Flyer ever on record to play a game for this now 56-year-old franchise. The only question now is whether he can manage to stay. We all know the Flyers are loaded down with a bunch of underachieving centers right now. Therefore, Luchanko will most likely have to force the Flyers’ hand with his play for them to attempt to make room for him via a trade if he wishes to stay past the CHL’s nine-game grace period before his entry-level contract would count on the books. But I guess time will tell.
All I know is that it is refreshing to see homegrown draft picks that possess so much potential. For in just a few short games, these two players made me a believer. For, I have not seen the Flyers offense run so well since the “Legion of Doom” was patrolling this ice surface. Not to mention the spark they were able to bring to the two-time defending league’s worst power-play unit.
And, while I may not “Trust the Process” when it comes to what the Sixers or any other Philly team is doing right now, I wholeheartedly believe in this “New Era of Orange” and can’t wait to see where it takes us.
A Glimpse of What’s to Come for the Flyers
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Flyers and BSB
With preseason games now upon us, we are finally getting the chance to witness the fruits of the Flyers General Manager Danny Briere’s labor. And I don’t know about you, but I have not been disappointed.
Take, for instance, the play of the Flyers 2023 seventh overall pick Matvei Michkov and their 2024 13th overall pick Jett Luchanko in Sunday’s 6-2 victory against the Washington Capitals. Both managed to tally two assists each in the game, not to mention creating multiple scoring chances of their own. But it should be noted that their play went so much more beyond just what was able to be transcribed on the score sheet. For instance, it seemed as though each and every time that this pair stepped on the ice, they were creating havoc for the other team. From Jett’s unmatchable speed to Matvei’s majestic work behind the net, these two young men not only were able to impress their coaches and fans alike with their performance, but they were actually able to make the performance of others who were lucky enough to play with them better.
So much so, in fact, that they were able to yield the often-overhyped Morgan Frost to appear as though he was an NHL Superstar out there. They did so by helping Frosty attain two goals and one assist for three points. They also aided Joel Farabee in his efforts to total an impressive one goal and three assists on the night, not to mention the fact that they were able to elevate Bobby Brink’s game to the point that he was able to accumulate two goals of his own during regulation on Sunday.
This got me thinking: with this duo already beginning to show us “A Glimpse of What’s to Come” for the Flyers, who else may still be on their way for the Orange and Black?
By now, it is well known that “Dealing Danny” has been busy trying to right all the wrongs done by his less-than-admirable predecessor, Chuck Fletcher. But few may really know just how well Briere might have already set both himself and this franchise up for the future. For example, if you look ahead to the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, you’ll see that Danny has already managed to potentially stockpile three first-round picks and three second-round picks for next summer. So, let’s take a look at some of the players that they could obtain with these picks, shall we?
Despite the team now essentially operating as if they are in an accelerated rebuild mode thanks to their star prospect Matvei Michkov surprisingly being able to get out of his KHL contract a few years early, they most likely will still find themselves utilizing their own first-round pick to make their teams initial selection of the 2025 Draft.
Flyers 1st Round Pick
And with that pick, I think that Philadelphia should look to draft the towering 6’5, 190-pound center Roger McQueen from the Western Hockey Leagues (WHL’s) Brandon Wheat Kings. This pick makes a lot of sense if you think about it. The Flyers GM has already expressed the want and need to upgrade his team down the middle of the ice, and what better way to do that than drafting a punishing offensive threat that they most likely already fell in love with last season when they were attending the Wheat Kings Games to see how their 2023 second round pick goalie Carson Bjarnason was progressing.
But who could blame them? Roger is a unique physical specimen who can indeed deliver crushing, blows and add a net-front presence like no other. But at the same time, Roger can surprisingly skate and stick handle with the speed and grace that you usually expect from a much smaller finesse guy.
To prove this, all you have to do is look at his stats from last season, where McQueen was able to total a near point per game in his draft minus one season, netting 21 goals and 31 assists for 51 points in 53 games played.
A feat that he looks more than capable of topping this season, seeing that he was able to post seven points in five games played for Team Canada on their way to winning a Gold Medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Not to mention, him being able to net four goals and two assists for six points in just the first two games played this season for the Wheat Kings.
Colorado’s 1st Round pick
The following selection came when Danny Briere so wisely decided to trade veteran defenseman Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche at last years deadline for the AV’s own first-round pick in 2025.
Therefore, with this selection, I’m hoping that defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will fall a little. My thought behind this is that since the 2024 Draft was filled with so many great defenders, multiple teams couldn’t help but spend their first-round pick on them. Thus hopefully negating the need for them to do so again this year.
Aitcheson, who stands at 6’1 and 198 pounds, is a left-hand shot with a nasty disposition. An old-school defenseman, if you will, who is equally willing to clear the porch for his goalie or drop the gloves to come to the aid of a fellow teammate. But Kashawn is more than just some on-ice bouncer. He is a minute eater! One that you can put out there on the Power Play, the Penalty Kill, or during just regular five-on-five play. And in order to be that trusted, Aitcheson had to prove he could be mobile. And to this point he’s done just that. Reacting to a teammate’s turnover in the blink of an eye, Kashawn has proven time and time again that he must have taken many power skating classes over the years because he can transition from a forward motion to a backward motion with ease.
Edmonton’s Conditional 1st
This pick was acquired by Briere in Vegas during the first round of the 2024 Draft when he decided to trade away the 1st round pick that they received from the Florida Panthers when the Flyers dealt them Claude Giroux. But it has not yet been determined whether the Flyers will be granted the Oilers 1st round pick this year or the one in 2026.
However, if it does happen to be this year, I would find it difficult for Danny to pass up the chance to draft fellow Quebec Native Justin Carbonneau at the tail end of the first round.
Justin is a 6’1, 190-pound, speedy, playmaking right winger whose puck-handling ability makes him seem unstoppable most nights. A statement that most goalies playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last year found to be true since Carbonneau was able to score so frequently last season that most netminders in the league should probably have been tested this off-season to see if they now have epilepsy given the fact that Justin made that red goal light come on so often. Case in point: last year, while playing for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Carbonneau was responsible for scoring 31 goals and 28 assists for a total of 59 points in 68 games played.
However, the reason why this talented player might be drafted so late is his lack of defensive ability. Despite him scoring 59 points on the season, Justin should, at least for now, be considered ineffective because he was on the ice last season when the other team scored 60 goals which resulted in him finishing the year a -1. Never fear, though, because defense can be taught, and that’s a good thing considering this season Carbonneau has already managed to amass 5 points in just two games but still is somehow rated as a 0 or even in terms of plus-minus rating.
Conditional 2nd Round pick from Columbus
In the second round next summer, the Flyers are bound to be picking early and often, given the fact that their first selection in the second round will probably be the one that they garnered from the Blue Jackets in a trade where the Flyers sent defenseman Ivan Provorov packing. This pick was a conditional one, but after the Blue Jackets chose to retain their second-round pick last year, they will now be forced to give up this year’s second-rounder to the Flyers.
In saying that, I think that the Flyers should take this opportunity to snatch up a player who I believe might fall to the second round, not because he is not skilled enough to be a first-round talent but rather for his total lack of size.
His name is Cameron Schmidt, and in addition to being probably one of the fastest players in this upcoming draft class, he can fill up a stat sheet as well. The only knock on him is that he stands at 5’8 and weighs in at only 152 pounds.
But height is not as important as it used to be in the old NHL. Players nowadays are able to run free out there without fear of being hooked, held, or downright driven into the concrete below like in the days of old. Such is why diminutive players like Montreal’s Cole Caulfield and Detroit’s Alex DeBrincat are able to do so well in this league.
And lucky for whoever is smart enough to draft him, Schmidt looks to be a 2025 version of both of those players. Because in his draft minus one season, Cameron racked up 31 goals and 27 assists, scoring 58 points in just 59 games played. And in the very early parts of this season, he looks destined to demolish his previous highs by scoring four goals in only two games played thus far this season.
Anaheim’s 2nd Rd Pick
Perhaps the most deflating moment of Briere’s still relatively young front-office career was the Flyers’ loss of their former top-five pick, Cutter Gauthier. Who, if you remember, Gauthier informed the team that he no longer wished to play for them and seemingly cut off any communications with the Flyers some time ago. Still being open-minded, It wasn’t until the Philadelphia’s management traveled halfway around the world to speak to Cutter at a Tournament he was playing in for Team USA and was denied access to talk to him face to face that they realized they had to do something.
That something turned out to be manifesting a trade that sent him to the Anaheim Ducks for the return of a young and prospering defenseman named Jamie Drysdale. But what most people forget is that it was not a one for one player trade. The Flyers also acquired in that trade the Ducks 2nd round pick in the 2025 Draft.
So, with the pick probably coming in the early part of the second round as well, I would suggest that the Flyers look to draft Jordan Gavin from the WHL’s Tri-City Americans. Jordan is a 5’11 181 pound two-way forward who can play both the wing and the center position.
He, like Cameron Schmidt and Jason Carbonneau, can take over a game single handily, but the difference between them is that Jordan will not force a play. At times, he is okay with just falling back and excelling as a playmaker when he sees that someone else just has the hotter stick that night. It’s about winning the game for Gavin, and with that kind of mindset, the sky is the limit for this young man.
Flyers Own 2nd
Now, to this point in the article, I have a potential top-line center of the future, a rough and rugged defenseman, and some absolutely explosive wingers for the Flyers to look to draft, but given the fact that the biggest question yet again for this team this season is how will their goaltending will fair? I think I should recommend a goaltender. But not just any goaltender, one that the Flyers could build around, one that will dominate the crease for at least the next decade.
This is no easy task, though, considering that this is something that the team has been trying to find since Ron Hextall retired in 2000. But I think I’m up for the challenge. This upcoming draft, there are going to be a number of good goaltenders available to select, but if I had my way, I would look to Switzerland, where a kid by the name of Elijah Neuenschwander plays.
And that’s because Elijah, to me, has a bit of old-school flare to his game. He, unlike most Butterfly goalies coming out today, does not choose to stay on his knees and just flop around the ice surface to try and locate a rebound through the opposition’s legs. Neuenschwander plays more of a standup style, where he chooses to use his 6’4 frame to his advantage and only goes down to make a stop down low or cover the puck.
To go with that, Elijah’s reaction and recovery time is off the charts. To prove this, you just have to watch his game tape, and you’ll see that Neuenschwander is so quick that, commonly, a player can shoot the puck. Elijah will go down to stop it and recover to his feet before the announcer can even finish getting out that the forward has taken a shot.
Folks, like him or not, Briere has been able to bring in two of the best prospects that this team has had in the last 20 years. Matvei Michkov & Jett Luchanko really look like they can be something special. And let me tell you, if Danny can turn all of the 2025 draft capital that he gained in such a short amount of time into this laundry list of players that I just laid out for you above, I swear construction crews will be erecting a statue of him outside of the Wells Fargo Center real soon!
Potential Dumpster Diving Treasures that Could Pay Dividends for the Flyers if Injuries Occur
Photo Credit: shutterstock.com
With Training Camp now upon us, teams all over the NHL will be trying to see exactly what they have. Their coaches will be taking a look at some new line combinations, evaluating their team’s top prospects to see if they are ready to make the jump to the NHL, and trying to figure out where any newly acquired free agents will fit in. The primary purpose of all this, of course, will be to try and come up with a final list of players who they feel will best give them a chance at winning the highly coveted Stanley Cup.
But as we all know, not all prospects turn out to be what their respective teams hope they will be when they draft them. Some players who are coming back from an extended injury are bound to reaggravate it, or lazy ones who may not have trained as hard as they should in the off-season acquire new ones.
With that being said, the Philadelphia Flyers are no different. Their 25-year-old center Morgan Frost still has not developed into the elite offensive threat that he appeared destined to be when they drafted him out of juniors. Plus, with the extensive injury history of their over-paid Selke Award-winning center Sean Couturier, highly talented young defender Jamie Drysdale, and veteran blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen things could go from “Good” to “OH SHIT, NOT AGAIN” real quick!
So, with that being said, I think that there are a couple of players that were brought into other team’s camps on an invite basis that they should keep a close eye on. Just in case any of the Flyers players/prospects underachieve, or any of those unwanted injuries rear their ugly head. Then maybe, just maybe, Philadelphia could still salvage the season by signing one of these players off the Trash Heap if they do not manage to make the club that they are currently on a try-out basis with.
Tyler Johnson
The first in my mind would have to be the two-time Stanley Cup Champion center Tyler Johnson. I’m a bit surprised that Johnson did not receive a contract from anyone. I get that he is now 34 years of age, but he can still produce offensively. To prove this, all you have to look at is his totals from last season, where he scored 17 goals (that’s four more than any Flyers center was able to net last year) and 14 assists for a total of 31 points.
Now, perhaps the reason nobody wanted him was that he was a -35 on the season last year. But let me remind you that he was playing for Chicago, which has been horrible for quite some time now. So, much so that everybody who played for the Blackhawks was pretty much a minus player last season, including Connor Bedard, who was a -44. Did teams forget that Johnson was a +84 during his nine years in Tampa Bay? I’m sure he didn’t just forget how to play defense. He simply made the mistake of leaving a dynasty for the chance at a bigger payday.
In the coming days, if cut from Boston’s training camp, Johnson could not only prove to be an inexpensive upgrade offensively over the Flyers’ current disappointing group of centers. But a stopgap who could play alongside the Flyers’ Star prospect Matvei Michkov, at least until their newly drafted explosive center Jett Luchanko is ready to join the team, perhaps after playing one more season in juniors.
Logan Brown
If Johnson proves unavailable, another possible option for the Flyers to gain help in the dots would be the former first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators, Logan Brown. Logan is a 6’6 227 pound 26-year-old who, through all of Juniors and most of his time spent playing in the AHL, was a well over a point per game player. However, with so many prospects down the middle, the Sens decided to trade him along with an additional draft pick to St. Louis for an NHL player who could help them now.
If put into a bad position, the Flyers might be willing to take a chance on Logan because of this. Throughout the course of his career, Logan has excelled at making others look great. His head is always up and scanning the ice to try and make the perfect pass to set up a goal. This trait would bode well for the Flyers, considering most of their depth is at the wing position, with guys like Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, Joel Farabee, and Bobby Brink already slotted to be on the roster.
But the Flyer should be aware that Brown is just coming back from hip surgery that cost him to miss all of last season. And, although he is supposed to be fully recovered now, when you are that big, once you start to sustain injuries, they usually begin to come in bunches. So, the team will need to do a full medical workup on Logan before allowing him to sign his name to anything. That is if the Lightning (who he is currently in camp with on a PTO) don’t sign him first.
Tyson Barrie
As previously stated, if Drysdale sustains another injury or Ristolainen suffers another setback, the Flyers could be in for a very long season. Both are right-hand shot defenders and although the Flyers have a plethora of blueliners within their system, most seem to be on the fast track to becoming career AHL players. That is with the exception of the young Oliver Bonk, of course. But he isn’t even likely to turn pro until after this upcoming season. Soooo, what should the Flyers do if the now somewhat expected happens again, and we lose one or more of our top four defenders to injury?
In my opinion, although it might not be too favorable with the current coaching staff considering this player’s lack of defensive abilities, I would look to try and sign 33-year-old Tyson Barrie to a contract if the Flames end up letting him go from his current PTO deal.
Think about it: the Flyers are coming off back-to-back seasons where they had the league’s worst power-play unit. And Tyson is a power play specialist. In fact, Barrie is so good while on the man advantage that 210 out of his 505 career points that he has scored have come while on the powerplay. And, if you add him to our back end, he will only make things easier for the likes of Michkov, Konecny, and Tippett.
As for all you Barrie haters, listen, he is not my top pick either, but we’re talking about if the team is put in a position where they have to scramble to find an NHL-caliber defenseman. Because I’m sorry if they were that worried about finding a veteran defender that was defensively sound like they preach, they want all the time; then they should have traded for 35-year-old Ryan McDonagh, who is a two-time cup winner and holds a career plus-minus of +246. And not chosen to re-sign the 36-year-old Erik Johnson, who has a career -11. Because the rest of Philadelphia’s defense could use some better guidance, seeing that Tyson, who was a -10 last season while playing for Nashville (and has been labeled not the best defender), was still better defensively than Cam York, who was a -13, Erik Johnson who was a -14, or Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale who both finished the season a -20.
In closing, I hope it doesn’t come down to the Flyers needing to sign one of these players, but the harsh reality is that it might; with guys like Couturier missing a total of 98 games over the course of the last three seasons, Drysdale only playing in 42 of his last 246 games and Risto, managing to suit up for only 31 contest last year. Like they say, history is bound to repeat itself, and the Flyers have to be ready if it does. Because God forbid, the next time may be the last time for one of these players, and the Flyers cannot afford another Ryan Ellis situation where they are stuck paying buku bucks to some injury-prone player who is never going to hit the ice again, thus leaving them high and dry.
Each Country’s Top Prospect Available for the 2025 NHL Draft
Photo Credit: Rena Laverty / USA Hockey
In the not-so-distant past, the only cultural diversity you would find in an NHL locker room would be the Canadian providence from which the players hailed. But that is not the case anymore because the love of this game is now so vast it has stretched to all reaches of the world.
To the point where, it’s not out of the ordinary to have players from several different nations coming together on a single roster. That’s why most teams now are having to hire interpreters to follow these players around so that they can translate what the coach is asking of them.
But this is not a bad thing because, I believe, with the addition of each country’s prospects bringing with them their own particular style of play, this game not only continues to get more exciting but it is metamorphosing before our eyes into something even better.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the best player each country has to offer to see which nation will reign supreme in the 2025 Draft.
BELARUS
Belarus is a small landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population of only nine million people. It gained independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. And, although they may not have the lengthy list of former NHL players that other countries have to boast about. They will soon, given the fact that over the last couple of years, Belarus has been able to produce players like defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who was just taken second overall this summer by the Chicago Blackhawks.
With that being said, one Belarusian player that I think you should keep an eye on this year is Yaroslav Bryzgalov. Yaroslav is a skilled forward who has chosen to take a similar route to that of Levshunov in that he decided it was in his best interest to come to play stateside this season to prove to both himself and prospecting NHL franchises that his game could translate well to not only the North American style game but that of the NHL.
To do so, this 6’3, 205-pound, still very raw prospect has agreed to play for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers this season. With that, the Bucs stand to gain a forward who scored 21 goals and 48 assists for a total of 69 points in 52 games played last year. And, if those stats weren’t exciting enough, the fact that he was able to do so while maintaining a +44 average on the year should be.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Late 2nd RD.
CANADA
This one is a toss-up between Porter Martone and Michael Misa. I can tell you I’ve literally sat here and watched hours and hours of tape on these two players and still cannot definitively say that if put in the position of going up to the podium on draft day to select one over the other, I would be comfortable in doing so.
That’s because both players are simply outstanding! Each managed to score well over a point per game last season in the Ontario Hockey League at just 16 years of age. And with that, there’s no doubt in my mind that each player will one day, sooner rather than later, have their faces plastered all over banners and billboards throughout their respective NHL club’s city.
So, I’ll let you pick your favorite.
Porter Martone– who plays for the Brampton Steelheads (who were previously known as the Mississauga Steelheads), is a 6’3, 196-pound power forward who is able to create his own offense by dangling through the competition. (Note: this could be an enticing trait to have for a franchise that is in the middle of a rebuild and might not have too much to surround him with at the moment).
Because of this skill and many more, Porter was able to light the lamp a total of 33 times last season and managed to assist on another 38 to finish with 71 points. To boot, Martone also managed to sustain a +25 average for the year.
Michael Misa– who plays for the Saginaw Spirt and stands in at 6’1 and 185 pounds, is more of a speedy, opportunistic forward who is at his best when playing with others who can cycle the puck on the power play or put home one of his passes that he serves up to them on a silver platter.
Not to be outdone, last year, Misa scored 29 goals and 46 assists for a total of 75 points. Not to mention the fact that he netted another five points in five games played to help his team win the CHL’s 2024 Memorial Cup Championship.
Were you able to decide between the two? Yeah, me neither.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Both players have Top 5 overall potential
Czechia
While some might argue that the best Czech player out of this draft is forward Dominik Pavlik or defenseman Radim Mrtka. I believe that the diminutive Adam Benak will prevail over all others.
The main reason for that is that Benak (unlike any of the others listed above) was willing to come over and play in the USHL this season for the Youngstown Phantoms so that NHL clubs will have ample opportunity to scout him this year.
And for good reason. Benak is an elusive, offensive-minded player who can beat you any way he deems necessary. To prove that at just 16 years of age last season, Adam was able to score 29 points in 29 games played versus U20 competition in Czechia, and he just managed to surpass all others that came before him in total points scored (21) during the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: LATE 1ST Early 2nd RD.
Finland
Now that we turn our focus to Finland, the name that stands out above the rest for me is Jesper Kotajarvi. Jesper is an elite defender who moves very well and possesses a heavy shot. In terms of his play, he is wise beyond his years. Kotajarvi very seldom makes mistakes to the point that on the rare occasion that he is accused of making one, if you take the time and review the play, you’ll most likely conclude that while Jesper may have indeed made the turnover, it was only because the winger was not playing with his head up and therefore could not see Kotajarvi absolutely threading the needle right to where the tape of his stick should have been.
Finland has not been the prospect factory that it once was and, therefore, has not been able to provide Jesper with the kind of help he needs to truly thrive. Nevertheless, Kotajarvi is a special player who will indeed make whatever team that drafts him look really clever.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: 2ND RD. Pick
Germany
Now, although there doesn’t appear to be any gems like Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stutzle, or Moritz Seider coming out of Germany this season, there are a couple of players from Deutschland who will be drafted.
The first of those players will probably be David Lewandowski, a 6’2 176-pound forward who was able to score 15 goals and 33 assists for 48 points in only 33 games last season playing against U-20 competition.
Still, David will most likely take a few years before he’s ready to come stateside, and that’s ok because he is not considered to be a first-round talent.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Late 2nd or Early 3rd
Norway
Surprisingly enough, this Scandinavian country that is directly connected to prospect powerhouses Sweden and Finland has never really been able to produce many Norwegian-born players who could ever make it to the ranks of the NHL. But they have one this year.
His name is Mikkel Eriksen, and he is so good that if he works hard enough, his career (when it’s all said and done) could rival Norway’s own Mats Zuccarello.
Case in point: Last year, at just 16 years of age, Eriksen was able to post 2.04 points per game while playing up in Norway’s U-20 League. To reach that feat, he scored 19 goals and 28 assists for 47 points in only 23 games played and averaged a +32.
Now, I get it if you are still kind of skeptical about his actual value because of the lack of competition he faces on a daily basis playing in Norway, but to prove that his play can match up against some of the best in the world at his age. Mikkel also managed to post a point per game at the U18 World Junior Championships last year, scoring four goals and one assist in five games.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: 3rd RD.
Russia
Although it can sometimes be tough to get this country’s prospects over here after drafting them, it is usally worth the hassle because Russia takes their hockey very seriously. From a very young age, when a player shows potential, Russia will do everything in its power not only to harness it but also to cultivate it.
This being the case with the young Ivan Ryabkin, who last season scored 58 points while playing in the MHL in his draft minus one season. To compare how good he is to other Russian players who came before him, we can take a look at another Russian Prospect named Ivan Demidov, who was taken fifth overall by Montreal this summer. Last season, while playing in his draft-eligible year, Demidov managed to put up 60 points in the same league. So, Ryabkin, who is essentially a year younger than Demidov, was only two points off his pace.
With that being said, it should come as no surprise to hear that Ryabkin has already seen playing time in the KHL (Russia’s top professional league) this season.
However, teams who want this young center should be aware because, like the Flyers’ Michkov was, Ryabkin is signed for the next few seasons. So, teams would have to be willing to either wait until the end of the 2026/2027 season when he is a free agent or somehow convince ($$$) his current club to grant him an early release from his deal if they want to utilize his talents before then.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Top 5 Overall Pick
Slovakia
When I think of Slovakian-born players, I think of speedy wingers like Peter Stastny, Peter Bondra, Marian Gaborik, and Zigmund Palffy. But on the rare occasion, you can get a pretty good defenseman out of them like Zdeno Chara or Andrej Meszaros.
This being the case this season with the young right-hand shooting defenseman Luka Radivojevic, who was actually born in the USA, but resides in Slovakia and is Eastern European through and through.
Radivojevic is a mobile, offensively driven defenseman who can get back and play defense as well, which can’t be said for most offensive defensemen coming out in the draft nowadays. To prove this, all you have to do is compare Luka’s 33 points that he managed to score in Sweden’s J20 League last year to his league-leading +29 plus-minus rating.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Late 1st Rd.
Sweden
The Swedes are a country whose list of all-time greats could stack up with just about anybody’s. And the next player in this country’s long line of succession may be a kid named Anton Frondell.
Anton is a forward who possesses both the skill set to dance through the opposition’s defense and the NHL-caliber shot that it takes to send that little piece of vulcanized rubber right past their goaltender like he is standing still.
Last season, Frondell spent the majority of his season playing in Sweden’s J20 League, where he scored 18 goals and 21 assists for a total of 39 points in only 29 games played. But, the knock on him will be that he is set to undergo knee surgery and currently has no timetable set for a return.
Now, with this not being his first significant injury, his draft stock will surely suffer, but trust and believe with him being this talented someone inside the top ten will still take a chance on him.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: Top Ten pick
Switzerland
-is another country that is underrated in terms of the prospects they put out. Mainly because it is not every year that they develop top-end talent, but when they do; watch out because they are going to be something extraordinary! Case in point: Nashville’s Josi Roman and the two Swiss brethren that play up in New Jersey former top 10 pick Timo Meier and 2017’s number one overall pick Nico Hischier.
This season just so happens to be one of those years. This time, their prized prospect comes in the form of 17-year-old goaltender Elijah Neuenschwander. For me, Elijah is a breath of fresh air. His style of play is not that of today’s typical butterfly goalie who stays down on the ice and continues to flop around, looking through peoples’ legs to try and locate the puck after a rebound. Instead, he is a bit old school in the sense that he chooses to stay up when at all possible, using his 6’4 frame to his advantage. He likes to challenge the shooter, and only when he has no other choice does he decide to go down into the butterfly to make a save. But you best believe once he has, Elijah immediately recovers to a standing position.
And, just to clarify, when I say immediately, I mean it has been a very looooong time since I’ve seen a goalie with his kind of reflexes and reactionary time. So, although this draft appears to have a few good guardians of the blue paint, I would have to say Neuenschwander might be the cream of the crop.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: 2nd Rd.
United States
No team in the world over the past ten years has been more dominant than the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Every year, this club seems to have five to ten kids on the team who not only get drafted but also get taken in the first or second round of the draft.
They’ve gotten so good, in fact, that this upcoming off-season, they just might have helped to develop yet another number-one overall draft pick. That’s right, the USNTDP helped produce former number overall picks like Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, and Patrick Kane.
Now, the next might just be a dynamic 17-year-old center named James Hagens. James is perhaps the most complete player in this draft class. He has the speed to skate through the opposition’s defense with ease, he has the sticking handling ability to get open and place a perfect pass right on the tape of an awaiting teammate. To go with all that James possesses the kind of finishing ability you’ve come to expect from a ten year professional.
Now, if you think I’m just blowing smoke, then let me go over some of his stats from last year. In 58 games played for Team USA last year, James was able to score 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points. But that was just his offensive production. Hagens is also good in his own zone as well, seeing that he was able to maintain a +43 average on the year. But if that’s still not enough to convince you that James is already the consensus number-one overall pick before he even plays a single regular season game. Then this might. During the World Junior Championships U-18 tournament. Hagens was able to finish with nine goals and 13 assists for a total of 22 points in only seven games played. That feat was good enough to earn his country the silver medal and James the honor of being named the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
With nothing else to prove in the junior ranks, James is set to attend and play for Boston College next season. The question now is, will he be able to match 2024’s 1st overall pick Macklin Celebrini’s success from last year when he played for Boston College and scored 64 points that helped him to win the highly regarded Hobey Baker Award? We will just have to wait and see.
CURRENT NHL DRAFT RANKING: 1st Overall
So, there you have it, proof that hockey is alive and well in all reaches of the world. As you just read, this upcoming draft is going to be a good one and why wouldn’t it? As this game’s popularity continues to grow around the world, so will the game itself. Every nation brings a little something different to the game, and nowhere is that more evident than when they all come together to play in the Melting Pot, that is the NHL.