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2023 Philadelphia Flyers Three-Round Mock Draft 1.0

By Jonathan Bailey

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Ryan Leonard of United States following the final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Ryan Leonard of United States following the final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Samuel Honzek drives to the net against Team USA during their game in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Dale Preston/Getty Images)
Samuel Honzek drives to the net against Team USA during their game in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. (Photo by Dale Preston/Getty Images) /

The great thing about drafting Ryan Leonard is that, because of his versatility, the Philadelphia Flyers can double-down at forward without having to worry about creating a logjam in their prospect pipeline. The Flyers appear set for the immediate future at defense with Ronnie Attard, Emil Andrae, Yegor Zamula, Will Zmolek, and the newly aquired Helge Grans all due for cracks at a full-time roster spot alongside Cam York, who graduated to the big club this past season. With top defenders like Axel-Sandin Pellikka and David Reinbacher off the board well before this pick, it’s better that the Flyers continue to build out their forward group anyway.

With the 22nd pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers select…

22. player. Pick Analysis. Samuel Honzek. Samuel Honzek Scouting Report. F. Vancouver Giants (WHL). 68

Samuel Honzek is a titan of a forward at 6’4″, and is a massively impressive athlete for his size. Honzek was one of the best performers in several different tests at the NHL combine, and Honzek parlays his size and athleticism into strong performances on the ice. Honzek is very fast and explosive as well as an adept skater, which makes him a total beast in transition. The Slovak forward also has a great feel for the game and can often recognize things going on around him as they happen. However, when Honzek is not doing that, he can get a little flat-footed defensively and become inactive in the play.

Honzek is at his best with the puck on his stick, even if his shots and passes lack the guile to consistently threaten for goals. In less stacked drafts, Honzek probably goes in the top-ten. This year, it seems Honzek’s stock has either been really high or really low, making 22 the sweet spot for him. If Honzek’s stock stays as-is, the Flyers could watch this physical specimen fall right into their laps.

Pro Comparison: Pavel Zacha

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