Flyers have only four picks but could still get creative at NHL Draft

A decision by the Flyers to move up a notch in the lower rounds for this weekend’s NHL Draft might be a sign the team could still be active when things get underway in Buffalo on Friday.
After dealing veteran right wing Garnet Hathaway and a sixth-round pick to get a fifth-round pick from the Florida Panthers on Thursday, the Flyers still have only a first, a second, a fifth and a seventh.
The Flyers sent their third-rounder to Toronto as part of the recent trade to acquire goaltender Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit.
General manager Daniel Briere, who will be working out of the team’s draft headquarters in Atlantic City on Friday and Saturday, said recently he really isn’t looking to fill out his draft card too much more but that could change if the right offer came along.
He also said he would be willing to part ways with his No. 1 selection, which happens to be situated way down at No. 21 overall.
While draft experts are leaning toward calling this a top-heavy draft – with the first 10 picks looking like sure-shot prospects – there’s probably some good talent waiting in the later rounds.
Don’t forget, highly regarded Tyson Foerster was picked up at No. 23 overall by the Flyers in 2020 and he’s already posted seasons of 25 and 20 goals.
One name that’s been tossed about in the media is Swedish prospect Alexander Command. Part of that has to do with the fact the Flyers’ have a perceived shortage at center.
Other young talents slotted around the No. 21 spot include defenseman Maksim Sokolovskii (Russia), Maddox Dagenais (Canada) and right wing Gleb Pugachyov (Russia).
Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr, who runs the scouting department, mentioned there’s a possibility the team could even move back.
“Maybe there’s an option, there’s a big layer behind us that we’re happy with,” Flahr said on the day of the Woll-Benoit trade. “Maybe there’s a chance to move back and add another pick as well. We’ll sort those things out as we get closer.”
One area the Flyers need to shore up is the power play, which has finished last in the NHL four of the last five seasons. There’s a perception the Flyers could use some more firepower on the back line. Jamie Drysdale has done an OK job back there but the Flyers still wound up 32nd again this year.
What the Flyers need is a a talented kid along the lines of a Matthew Schaefer of the Islanders, who was hands-down NHL Calder Trophy/rookie of the year recipient this past season.
Not many of those come along too often but it’s something to consider.
Also, the Flyers are trying to get bigger on defense, too. Hence the Emil Andrae-Benoit swap.
“We’ll see how it sorts out,” Flahr said. “One thing we read in the media is ‘this guy’s going to be a power-play defenseman’ (or) ‘this guy’s going to be a power-play defenseman.’ But I assure you, not every defenseman is a power-play defenseman in the NHL.
“So those are the things we have to work out. But if you’re drafting a small defenseman, they need to be dynamic. There are a couple that are going to go in the mid- to later first rounds this year. So they are in the mix but those guys are going to take three or four years to get there, too.”
One bit of good news on the defense front: Spencer Gill, a second-round pick in the ’24 Draft, has recovered from significant injuries over the past two seasons and finished up strong for QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbriand Armada this past season. He should be at full strength for this year’s training camp.
In addition, defenseman Carter Amico (2025 second-rounder) has been showing good potential. The Flyers like his size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) and his experience (Boston University and the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks). Amico totaled 41 penalty minutes in 27 games, so there’s a definite physical element to his game.