Flyers satisfied with how they addressed needs through draft

The shopping list for players was substantial but so was the Flyers’ determination to check off what they needed.

With an eye to the future, general manager Daniel Briere wasted little time getting what he needed at the NHL Draft.

After making a fairly big deal by sending first-round picks (Nos. 22 and 31) to Pittsburgh on Friday in exchange for the No. 12 slot, Briere quickly tabbed center Jack Nesbitt.

On Saturday, things heated up a bit more when Briere, armed with three picks, made a deal with Seattle. He moved down from his No. 36 to take the Kraken’s No. 38, and, in the same deal, secured the No. 57 in exchange for the No. 68.

That move produced defenseman Carter Amico at 38. With the No. 40 pick, Briere went for left wing Jack Murtagh. That was followed by right wing Shane Vansaghi at 48 and center Matthew Gard at 58.

Overall, director of scouting Brent Flahr sounded satisfied with how things went.

“Obviously we’re elated with the first round,” he said. “The second round, the way it turned out, we were very happy.”

Does size and strength bring any of these prospects closer to the NHL?

Flahr gave positive reviews for Amico and Vansaghi, given the styles they play. They might have the best chance to make it “early.”

The Flyers picked up nine players overall and believe a number of them have NHL potential.

“We, as a staff, like Murtagh for things across the board,” Flahr said. “He can play a lot of different ways. He can score, he can really skate, competitive – bang, crash, go to the net.”

Amico could be a darkhorse pick. The Hockey News had him ranked only 86th because he missed all but 13 games last season due to injury.

But the Flyers still believe he has potential. And at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, there’s a natural intimidation factor.

“I was lucky enough to see him a number of times,” said Flahr. “Early, before the injury. I was actually at the game where he had the re-injury. The medical reports we got, he had the surgery redone and it was successful. The doctors are confident so he should be good to go.”

As for Vansaghi, he was impressive last season at Michigan State.

“He’s a big, big kid,” Flahr said. “Plays a certain way. There weren’t many players like him in this draft. He’s got some work to do to get to the NHL but once he does, he’ll be a very welcome teammate.”

In pre-draft comments, the Flyers made it a point to address their goaltending picture, which is an immediate concern and probably can’t be solved with a player from this draft.

But none of the goaltending prospects out there seemed to catch the Flyers’ eye.

As for a perceived need to upgrade the positions at center and defense, the Flyers did just that.

Martone could move over from right wing and really fill a need at center somewhere down the road.

“Just the whole complete package,” Flahr said. “As far as his size and skill, the hockey sense. He’s always engaged around the net and stirring it up, driving people crazy.

“He’s got that edge, but more importantly he’s got that skill set. He’s high end when it comes to offense. His ability on the power play, to break things down and see things that other guys can’t. . .it’s just one of those things where the talent was just too good to pass up.”

This could be a draft that helps the Flyers turn things around. But chances are no one will know just how much for at least a couple years.