While most of the 2011 Draft class didn’t pan out, the Flyers did end up with a gem in the first round. That was none other than Couturier.
As it went a season prior, the Flyers had six picks in the 2011 NHL Draft. The difference in this year was that the team actually had a first round pick.
The team also made a big splash that allowed them to even have a chance to draft Sean Couturier. Going into the season prior to the draft, the team did not have a first or second round draft pick. That all changed on June 23rd.
The Flyers made blockbuster trades with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings within minutes of each other. In the deal with LA, they traded captain Mike Richards and Rob Bordson. In return, they received Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn and a 2011 second-round pick.
With Columbus, the Flyers traded Jeff Carter. They received Jakub Voracek, the eight overall pick in 2011 and a third round pick.
That eighth overall pick turned out to be a huge get for the Flyers. They ended up with a player who has turned into a dynamic two-way forward.