Earlier, we did a mock draft for the Philadelphia Flyers that looked at just the first three rounds. Now, with time running out before the draft, we're going to do a full seven-round draft. Now, granted, things could change between now and Friday. The Flyers could move up, move back, or swing a trade before. Still, let's go on and see who could fall to the Flyers in all their selections. This simulation was run three times, and extra possibilities will be given for only the first round picks.
Altogether, the Flyers currently have 10 picks in this year's draft after the Trevor Zegras deal. Once you get past round three, a lot of it just becomes pure speculation. Scouts all over the world are combing the US junior, US collegiate, Canadian junior, and European junior leagues from Sweden, Czechia, Russia, Finland, and other nations. It all comes down to which scout can convince the Flyers brass of who's best. So, without further ado...
First Round
6th Overall: Anton Frondell, Center
In each mock-up, I was left with the same choice that Daniel Briere could face. Gone were Matthew Schaffer, Michael Misa, James Hagens, Caleb Desnoyers, and Porter Marone (in two of the three mocks). So, who do the Flyers take?
I was left with three solid choices: Anton Frondell, Viktor Eklund, and Jake O'Brien. All three are highly regarded prospects. All three could be taken before Philly is on the board. Frondell and Eklund, two teammates from Sweden, are widely considered to be the top European players. Frondell and O'Brien are both centers, while Eklund would give the Flyers support from the left side. With all these under consideration, I chose Frondell each time. It easily could become a coin flip between him and O'Brien if Briere is set on a center.
Yes, the Zegras trade makes needing a center less critical for the Flyers, but if someone gets hurt or doesn't pan out, it doesn't hurt to have a backup ready to go. Good centers can be hard to find. Having a bunch of young, dependable centers is a problem I wouldn't mind having.
Also available: Viktor Eklund, Jake O'Brien, Brady Martin, Lynden Lakovic
22nd Overall: Carter Bear, Center
Each time I ran the simulation, Carter Bear was available. Yes, the Flyers already selected a center with their first selection, but it is hard to see a guy with his talent slip by. The team needs centers; he'd be a great prospect to develop, and along with Frondell and Jett Luchanko, would give Philly three solid centers down the middle. Couldn't leave him on the boards, although Morgan Hensler and Jack Nesbitt were also tempting choices at 22.
However, the Zegras trade might make Bear unnecessary. In that case, Hensler is the best defender available and would be an easy selection. A lot of what goes on with this pick will depend on what the Flyers do with the first pick. Still, you can never have too many guys who can play center. Worst comes to worst, you can play one of them at the wing. Bear is too good to leave sitting here.
Also available: Jack Nesbitt, Logan Hensler, Malcom Spence
31st Overall: Joshua Ravensbergen, Goalie
This is where the mock draft diverges. After the 22nd pick, everything changes, as can be expected. Three simulations coughed up three different selections because of different players available. Part of that had me make some choices. In two of the simulations, defenders Kurban Limatove and Bill Zonnan were available. In one, Nesbitt had fallen, but since the Flyers had already taken three centers, it was kind of overkill to start a draft off.
It's tempting to go defender here. If Logan Hensler is still available, he could easily be the pick. However, in each simulation, Joshua Ravensbergen was available. In each simulation, I thought maybe I'd wait, grab a defender, and snag him in the second round. Each time, he was selected a pick or two before the Flyers in the second round. In real life, he may fall to 36th, and should be taken there without question. However, I didn't want to take the risk, and out of my three final first-round picks, I took him and didn't look back.
Also selected: Kurban Limatov, Bill Zonnan,
Second Round
36th Overall: Cameron Schmidt, Left Wing
The Flyers are light on the left wing. Cameron Schmidt can play both wings and has performed well enough for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. He's a bit small at 5'7", which has probably bumped him down from first-round possibilities, but he can score, scoring 40 goals this past season and 31 the year before with the Giants. If the Flyers go defense at the end of the first, and somehow Ravensberger slips here, they may select him. If not, Schmidt is an outstanding choice to start the second round.
40th Overall: Alexander Zharovsky, Right Wing
Alexander Zharovsky is an intriguing prospect. He's fast, can score, and has shot up the prospect ratings in the latter half of the season. The 18-year-old scored 24 goals in his first season in competitive play in the Russian MHL. Yes, the Flyers have a lot of right-wingers, but he's a long-term project and could be a lot of fun. He's worth a pick here.
48th Overall: Carter Amico, Defense
As you can never have too many defenders, the Flyers went back-to-back on the blueline and selected Carter Amico from the US Development Team. He's 6'5" and 225 lbs and was considered a potential first-round selection before a knee injury sidelined him to just five games this season. If he is healthy and available at any of the second-round picks, he'd be a reasonable choice.
Third Round
68th Overall: Alexei Medvedev, Goalie
In previous mocks, the Flyers had missed out on Ravensbergen. In each of those drafts, I selected Alexei Medvedev in his place. In this one, the Flyers already got their man. However, as we Flyers fans have seen, you can never have enough goalies in the pipeline. Medvedev is just 17 years old, but put up impressive numbers in the OHL. He'd be a great selection here.
Fifth Round
132nd Overall: Aidan Park, Center
This is where it gets sticky. You never know who will be available or which league the scouts are watching. I was stuck between two centers: Aidan Park of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers and Nathan Quinn of the Quebec Remparts of the MHJHL. Park is older at 19, but scored 33 goals before playing with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, where he'll play next year. Quinn is 17, but scored 17 goals with Quebec. Flyers could use some centers. Either one is a good selection at fourth. Flip a coin.
Fifth Round
158th Overall: Brandon Gorzynski, Left Wing
Three simulations, three wings (two of them left wings), three different picks. Again, the Flyers could use a stud at left wing. All three of these guys would be a work in progress. Jacob Kvasnicka and Roope Vesterinen were two of the other selections, but I think that Brandon Gorzynski is a better fit. In his second year with the Calgary Hitmen, he scored 17 goals with 25 assists. He just turned 18 and has a lot of room to develop. He'd be a solid pick here.
Sixth Round
164th Overall: Jacob Kvasnicka, Right Wing
In the two simulations that I didn't select Ravensbergen, I selected a goalie in the last spot. However, with the Flyers grabbing Ravensbergen, and with Kvasnicka still available...why not? He's just 17 years old. While his stats for the US Developmental Team (5 goals, 19 assists) don't jump off the page, again, he is 17. He has room to grow. It's a sixth-round pick. This is the sort of kid you take a chance on.
So many things can happen once the NHL Draft begins. The Flyers have a lot of ammunition at their disposal. We'll see where things lie this upcoming weekend.