This past week, the fans of the Philadelphia Flyers learned what lottery pick they would be getting. While we hoped to move forward in the draft, or at the very last stay forward, our dreams were dashed again as we dropped two spots to sixth place in the lottery. Much like everything else this season, the draft lottery was a disappointment.
Ok, so sixth place isn't that bad. After all, the Flyers have done fairly well there historically. Lightning could strike again. Right?
Normally, I'd agree, and normally I would be content with a sixth-place pick. However, this is not expected to be a very good draft. There are some great players who are expected to be good, like Michael Misa, James Hagens, and Anton Frondell. Those are expected to be gone by the time the Flyers' card is called. This draft is pretty light on top-shelf defenders and goalies.
With that in mind, could the Flyers jump ahead and try to grab one of the consensus top picks? Who would trade with them? Let's examine the top five picks and what chances they have in trading with the Flyers. Keep in mind that the Flyers have three first-round picks and four second-round picks that they could use to move up.
#1: New York Islanders
The funny thing about the Islanders is that they seem to be good every other year. This was not that year. They still have some great players, but some of them will be pending free agents, and others have been ravaged by injury. The last time the Islanders drafted first, they scored big time with John Tavares.
The Islanders need this pick. They need to bring a hero back to Nassau County to excite the fans. Their fans are longing for a return to their glory days. There is no way the Isles are budging from this spot.
#2: San Jose Sharks
It wasn't that long ago that the Sharks were one of the best teams in the NHL. They have fallen on hard times. This is their third top-five pick in a row in the draft. Macklin Celebrini is the man. William Smith seems to be a good complement for him. While they still have a lot of holes in the lineup, they are improving and are young. In a few years, this team could be scary good.
With that in mind, a second overall pick would help move that right along. The Sharks could be convinced to drop down from second to sixth with some extra picks thrown at them, but it is doubtful. They want NHL-ready prospects instead of waiting a few seasons first. You could swing a deal here, but it is very unlikely they will be dropping.
#3: Chicago Blackhawks
Connor Bedard was supposed to be the savior of this franchise. He might still be. However, he can't play 60 minutes of hockey. He needs help. A lot of help. This team has turned to crap after their dynasty got old.
Because they can't afford to waste the prime years of Bedard, they have to nail this draft. They need the best player that they can get. They need to get a linemate to help Bedard be the next Sidney Crosby or Connor McDavid. In short, the Blackhawks ain't tradiing this pick.
#4: Utah Mammoth
Yeah, the team from Salt Lake finally has a real name now! What better way to increase jersey sales than to hit that draft lottery with a top-tier prospect? Hopefully, they can entice a top free agent to come there too.
They need to build up a fan base. They are far from being a good team, but that is more the fault of what happened while this team was in permanent purgatory in Phoenix. While they could trade, and are probably the most likely team in the top five that could slide down, they need a great player to build interest. Any other team here, I would say the Flyers could jump ahead. If they were still in Arizona, the Flyers could pull a trade-off here. I just don't think that will happen.
#5: Nashville Predators
Nashville is another team that used to be good and has landed at the bottom of the standings recently. They haven't picked in the top five since selecting Seth Jones in 2013 with the fourth overall pick.
The Preds have a good but aging core. They will need to get a top forward. Daniel Briere could trade to move up one spot, but he'd probably have to overpay to get a similar player one pick later. Nashville would probably sell their pick to Philly, but would it really be worth it in the end? Probably not.
Get used to it. The Flyers aren't moving. They are stuck with the sixth pick and would really have to give up a lot to move up. More importantly, most of the teams ahead of them really can't afford to drop down at all. So, like it or not, the Flyers will be selecting the sixth "best" player in this years draft in June.