Early Philadelphia Flyers Draft Targets

With all the noise surrounding the Flyers of late, all eyes are on the future in Philadelphia.

The Flyers 2022 fifth overall pick, Cutter Gauthier, recently ended his freshman season at Boston College with a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Merrimack. The early ending could spark speculation on whether or not he will sign an entry-level-contract and make his NHL debut before season’s end.

Gauthier is among the exciting young players Philadelphia has in its possession along with the likes of Owen Tippett, Noah Cates, and Tyson Foerster to name a few.

In the coming 2023 NHL Entry Draft which is flooded with high end talent and depth throughout, the orange and black are potentially shaping up to select in the top five once again. Let’s take a too early look at potential Flyers draft targets.

Leo Carlsson, C

Starting off with a player near the top of every team’s board, Swedish Center, Leo Carlsson.

This season with Örebro HK in the SHL, Carlsson has 25 points (10g,15a) in 43 games played. In the recent U20 World Juniors, the 6’3” middleman produced six points in seven games for the Swedes.

If Philadelphia is to manage the third or fourth overall pick, Carlsson may be a Flyer. It would take a team ahead to select Matvei Michkov, which is going to be a slippery slope no matter where he is selected.

Matvei Michkov, RW

Speaking of Matvei Michkov. The Russian winger who some have referred to as “the next Ovechkin” would normally be a consensus top two pick.

Unfortunately Michkov’s KHL contract prevents him from coming to North America until at least the 2025-26 season. This means an NHL debut would not be in the realm of possibility for another four seasons. As a result, it would not be shocking if he were to fall to fourth or fifth overall.

It’s worth mentioning that during his introductory press conference as interim GM, Danny Briere referred to the current state of the team as a “multi-year rebuilding process”.

If the Flyers are genuinely willing to be patient and spend the next couple of years developing and adding young talent, selecting Michkov would ensure a 21-year old superstar sniper for what will hopefully be the tail end of a strong rebuild in 2026.

Zach Benson, LW

“High-end talent” is the phrase that has been repeated ever since Claude Giroux was traded at last season. Facts are facts, and Philadelphia desperately needs talent.

They could potentially get it in the form of 17-year-old, WHL phenom, Zach Benson.

Benson is a Canadian winger who is absolutely tearing it up for the Winnipeg Ice. In 59 games this year Benson has racked up a whopping 98 points (36g,62a).

The uncertainty of how Joel Farabee will continue to develop through his surgery this past offseason could help influence the Flyers in drafting a replacement.

Perhaps Benson would be the perfect candidate.

At 5’9, Benson does not have the size that the Flyers historically go after. However with Flyers interim GM Danny Briere, an undersized scoring winger himself, may even favor the high skilled winger.

Will Smith, C

At just 17 years old, Will Smith has an impressive 2022-23 campaign with the U18 Team of the National Team Development Program.

The 6’0 center has tallied 89 points (36g,53a) in 45 games this year.

Cutter Gauthier and Devin Kaplan were selected in the first and third rounds of last year’s draft, both from the NTDP.

Smith will be a safe bet if Philadelphia selects anywhere from fifth to seventh.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, D

The final target is a bit of a curveball and perhaps the most unlikely outcome.

Swedish blueliner Axel Sandin-Pellikka has been a dark horse for a few months now.

While the upcoming draft is very forward-centric, Axel may be the best defenseman available.

If Ivan Provorov or Travis Sanheim are dealt this summer, Cam York should be back on his natural left side. This will leave Rasmus Ristolainen and Tony DeAngelo both in the top four and a third pairing slot up for grabs.

Sandin-Pellikka would probably continue to develop elsewhere before stepping into the NHL full-time.

He’s a player that could be in the prospect pool if Philadelphia trades down or acquires another first round pick.

Paul Jackson is a Contributor for HW Hockey
Photo: Canva
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