With the draft hours away, who do the experts have the Flyers taking with the 23rd overall pick?
The official pick won’t be in for quite a few hours, but there are plenty of names out there that could be available to the Flyers. It’s looking more and more likely that they will take a forward with that pick.
At least that’s what most people believe will happen. The Flyers went defense-heavy during the last draft, so it would make sense to start off with a forward this season. And they should have plenty of talent to choose from.
And this is a key in almost all of the mock drafts available. Everyone seems to have the Flyers taking a forward with the 23rd overall pick. So it would be a bit of a surprise to see them go anywhere else.
Here are just what some of the experts around the hockey world are saying when it comes to Philadelphia’s pick.
Corey Pronman (The Athletic)- Mavrik Bourque
Bourque has been the go-to goal-scorer for his team pretty much since he entered the QMJHL. He has posted 20+ goals in each of his first two seasons, just missing out on a 30-goal campaign last year.
He was already Shawinigan’s top-line center at just 16-years-old. As to be expected with those numbers, he is a highly-skilled forward. Add in a bit more consistency on the defensive end and he has the potential to grow into a team’s top six.
Adam Kimelman (NHL)- Jacob Perreault
If you thought Bourque could score, Perrault takes it to another level. He has posted back-to-back 30-goal campaigns in the OHL. He was one away from putting up 40 goals for Sarnia last season.
Perrault could possibly be one of the best shooters available in the draft. His shot can be deceptive and lethal while he has the creativity on the ice to go with it. He has to round out the rest of his game a bit more, but if he’s available, the Flyers might have a hard time passing on him.
Ryan Wagman (McKeen’s Hockey)- Brendan Brisson
You’re going to hear this a lot with the players that could be available, but Brisson has serious talent. He looked like an absolute star after he posted 101 points at the USHS-Prep level for Shattuck St. Mary a year ago. His 59 goals in the USHL this season second in the league, with his linemate touting the most.
That goes to show just how much of an impact Brisson has on the game. He isn’t the most physical player on the ice, but he more than makes up for that with his speed and high hockey IQ. Moving to the University of Michigan, coincidentally where Flyers prospect Cam York is, will allow Brisson to bulk up.
Bill Meltzer (Flyers)- Lukas Reichel
Reichel is the first of the players on this list to come from outside North American hockey. He has been overshadowed by some of the other top German players in the league, but he has some skills to show as well.
He spent the entire season in the DEL, Germany’s top hockey league. He doesn’t boast the same scoring totals as the rest of the group, but he plays an efficient game despite not standing out in most areas.
The knock-on Reichel is his inconsistent 200-foot game. His defensive presence isn’t quite where it needs to be, but he is just 18-years-old. That will come with time, just as becoming more physical will as well. His skating is up there along with his shot. He’s not the flashiest that could be available to the Flyers, but he could be an underrated find.
Craig Button (TSN)- Tyson Foerster
A big shot and the stats to back it up are the first things you notice about Foerster. He took a massive jump in his second season in the OHL, leaping from 23 points to 80 with the Barrie Colts this season.
He was clearly the team’s go-to producer as he had over 30 more points than his next closest teammate. It’s not surprising that he is said to have an absolute cannon of a shot. That shot, primarily taken from the left-circle, has drawn comparisons to Ovechkin.
Half of his production came on the power play, leading some to wonder if he is too reliant on special teams. Foerster also needs to add more top-speed to his skating as that aspect of his game is still a bit raw.
But when any part of your game is compared to a star such as Ovechkin, you are absolutely doing something right.
If even a few of these players are available to the Flyers, they cannot go wrong with any choice they make. The draft is said to be deep for a reason as some of these players are said to have incredible shots. And with a team looking for a top-end sniper, that is just what the Flyers want to hear.
Thanks to The Hockey Writers, SB Nation & Elite Prospects for some of the stats and scouting reports.