Well, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone that the Flyers ended up dropping two picks from where they finished in the standings after the NHL Draft Lottery. If you have been a fan of this team for the last 30 years like myself then you knew this was coming, almost worst case scenario after another miserable season.
Another team within the division jumped up to the number one overall pick in the New York Islanders and they should be adding a future top pair defenseman to their lineup. As for the Flyers well they have a lot of needs with the biggest one being down the middle. And whats going to be available come the 6th overall pick? We have no idea right now.
But, that being said this is not a very strong draft class based on the projections of all the experts. At 6th overall the Flyers are more then likely going to miss out on one of the top center prospects unless one of the big names starts dropping like when Michkov did.
There are three top centers available in this years draft and then after that there is a pretty big gap.
1. Anton Frondell-Center, Djurgarden, SHL
Frondell is the top ranked center in this draft and most people in North America probably do not know who he is as he plays in the Swedish League. The only time most people in North America would have seen him was during the World Junior Championship in December/January when he posted 1 goal and 2 assist in 5 games for team Sweeden who lost in the Bronze medal game.
At 6’0 196lbs Frondell is your typical two way center and would easily fill a very big hole that the Flyers currently have. He reminds me of a smaller version of Sean Couturier if I am just comparing him to Flyers players. He would be able to slide right next to Michkov and be the playmaker that would greatly benefit him.
But, barring an act of god there is almost zero chance that he is going to be available when the Flyers pick at 6. So Danny B is gonna have to work the phones to move up or pay off all the GMs in front of him if he wants to land Frondell.
2. James Hagens-Center, Boston College, NCAA
*Chris Collinsworth voice* Now heres a guy…Alright Im gonna be a little biased here because this is the guy that I watched the most out of the top three that we’re talking about here. James Hagens is an absolute beast and if he is somehow still around at 6 the Philadelphia Flyers NEED to take him.
I know what a lot of Flyers fans are thinking right now…Another center from BC don’t you remember what happened with Cutter Gauthier?!?!
Yes I do and Cutter is a baby back bitch which is why he didn’t want to play here. Hagens on the other hand is not a bitch, this kid is a DAWG and would be a great addition to the Flyers pipeline.
At 5’10 177lbs sure he isn’t the biggest guy but the skill that he has is insane. He is the perfect center for today’s NHL to play along side future 50 goal scorer Matvei Michkov. In 37 games for the Boston College Eagles Hagens had 11 goals and 26 assist for 37 points before BC was bounced in the quaterfinals of the NCAA tournament. He also added 5 goals and 4 assist in 9 games for team USA during their run to the gold medal of the World Juniors.
Hagens was mainly outshined by his teammate Ryan Leonard(Capitals first round pick in 2023) but that isnt to take anything away from what he accomplished as he was a force this year for BC and will make an immediate impact on the team he is drafted to. I’ve seen a few mock drafts where he does fall to the 6-8 range but as a Flyers fan I can’t get my hopes up because I know how this goes.
3. Michael Misa-Center, Saginaw Spirit, OHL
All 6’1 185lbs of Michael Misa would be a great addition to this Flyers lineup and would fill that desperate need of a true number 1 center in their pipeline. Oh and not to mention he also just committed to Penn State University, not sure if any of you local people have ever heard of it. Talk about an ideal scenario for the Flyers, draft Misa have fans be able to take the trip up to happy valley and watch him play then when the NCAA tournament comes back to Allentown have him and the Nittany Lions playing in the home of their AHL team. Really there couldn’t be a more perfect scenario and if the Flyers stayed where they were at the start of the lottery(4th Overall) then maybe we’d have a real shot of seeing this happen.
But as the lottery balls decided that is probably not going to be the case. Misa is most likely going within the top 5 if not the top 3 so once again if Danny B wants a shot at a true number 1 center he’s going to have to pickup the phone and do some work.
Misa had 62 goals and 72 assist for the Spirit in 65 games and for those like me who aren’t math people that adds up to 134 points. Yeah i’d say that’s pretty fucking good.
It’s a pipe dream that he ends up in the orange and black but my god the thought of him and Michkov playing together would be something we haven’t seen in Philadelphia possibly ever.
Most Likely To Happen:
1. Jake O’Brien- Center, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL
Alright maybe I am too low on this kid or maybe its just the fact that I’m pretty sure the Flyers have killed any positive hope I have for them over the course of the last 30 years. Either way I have already convinced myself that this is the pick at 6th overall or they are trading back.
O’Brien is actually the biggest of the centers that I previously mentioned at 6’2 170lbs which is one thing thats like wow he’s already 6’2 who knows how tall he will end up but there just isn’t the same excitement around him as the other guys.
He tallied 32 goals and 66 assist in 66 games for the Bulldogs for 98 points which is pretty damn solid so I’m not trying to take anything away from him. He very well could end up being a very solid NHL player when all said and done. Forgive me as I am having PTSD flashbacks of when the Flyers drafted Jay O’Brien and us true fans know how well that worked out.
I am already prepared to be underwhelmed when the Flyers turn to pick comes up and O’Brien is announced as the player selected. Again, I hope if he is the pick he ends up being a stud.
I am just so down on the Flyers right now it’s not good. I am 30 years old and this is the longest playoff drought I’ve ever experienced and this shit sucks. I NEED playoff hockey back in my life like I need air to breathe.
We’ve said it over the last like three years, “This is the biggest offseason” but for real for Danny Briere and company this actually is the biggest offseason. Hiring the right new coach, making the right moves and drafting the right pieces the future of this franchise depends on what happens over the next few months.
-Walsh
The Philly Phan Cave 
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