After gaining a first-round pick in the Ivan Provorov trade, Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere now finds himself with two assets that can change the fortunes of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
The Philadelphia Flyers are now in pole position to add two game-changing talents to their prospect pool after earning the seventh overall selection and acquiring the 22nd overall selection from the Columbus Blue Jackets. This year, it seems like anything after the first two picks could be a complete toss-up. Matvei Michkov and Zach Benson are two supremely talented wingers who may or may not slide in the draft due to many different reasons. With just under three weeks to go before the first night of the draft, the late risers are beginning to make their way into headlines. In fact, one of them has started to gain traction with the Flyers at pick seven.
With the seventh pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select…
Ryan Leonard has seen his draft stock skyrocket in recent weeks, and for good reason. The Amherst, Massachusetts native measured in at a hair under 6’0″ and weighed in at 190 pounds at the NHL combine, but Leonard plays a game much bigger than his size indicates. Leonard plays a fast, intense, physical game reminiscent of Florida Panthers superstar Matthew Tkachuk. Leonard is a gamer who likes to bring the game to his opponents, and offers translatable foot speed and well above-average puck skills to go with his fierce nature. Leonard can also play all three forward positions and can carry a line on his own, making him the perfect storm that you would want leading the charge for the Orange and Black in the playoffs. While Leonard’s skill package isn’t quite as potent as a Zach Benson, for example, Leonard’s nastiness and drive set him apart from just about every other player in this draft. Leonard walks into the Flyers’ top-six the minute he’s done at Boston College.
Pro Comparison: Sam Bennett