While there may have been more focus on the Flyers needing to add more center depth or left side defensemen, there was another position that had seemingly gone by the wayside.
The Flyers hadn't drafted a goaltender since 2023, when they took Carson Bjarnason and Yegor Zavragin. Bjarnason debuted in the AHL this season, and while he started well, he seemed to hit the wall in January. He will need plenty of developmental time in the AHL. Zavragin, the only goaltending prospect not in North America, still has some runway left in the KHL, especially after signing a new contract. But there has been a lot to like with his game.
Aleksei Kolosov, drafted in 2021, hasn't shown a ton of promise at the NHL level and will be a free agent next summer. He could still put himself in the team's plans, but it seems highly unlikely at this point.
And then there is Dan Vladar and the newly acquired Joseph Woll. Vladar is expected to sign an extension once free agency opens, and could be the Flyers' starting goaltender for the next few years. Woll was brought in to give the team a more stable backup, and could be someone who competes for more starts.
But even with the Flyers not needing a goaltender right now, they still needed to address the lack of depth in their system. You can never have enough goaltenders, as it's a position that can take some time to develop.
Flyers add a pair of Czech goaltenders at the draft
Martin Psohlavec was the first player up, taken by the Flyers with the second of their second-round picks. It's always hard to project goaltenders, but Psohlavec had a rather dominant season for HC Energie Karlovy Vary's U20 team. He went 31-11-0, posting a 1.92 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. He shined at the World Juniors as well, putting up a 1.68 GAA and a .926 SV% to help Czechia to a bronze medal.
Psohlavec has more than proven he could be ready for another challenge in the Czechia league next season. He has the size, standing at 6'5", but he could stand to fill out his 185-pound frame a bit more. He is still rather raw, which isn't a surprise for a young goaltender. And as you get toward the middle rounds, it often becomes harder to find truly well-rounded players.
Marek Sklenička was the next goaltender taken, this time in the fourth round. Debuting in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds, Sklenička came in ranked as the sixth-best North American goaltender. His numbers were decent in his first junior season, sharing the net with Grayson Malinoski. Sklenička played in 42 games, posting a 3.21 GAA and a .902 SV%. And funny enough, he shared the net with Psohlavec at the World Juniors. He was also strong at the tournament, finishing with a 1.91 GAA and a .921 SV%, and was in the net for the bronze medal game.
Sklenička's season was evidence of a player learning a new league. It didn't help that the Thunderbirds were not close to a contending team either. He has strong footwork and will do anything it takes to make a save. The problem with that is it tends to put athleticism and technique out the window. It's something he will need to work on because it will become harder to rely on as he climbs in the professional ranks.
His projection is even harder since he needs to refine much of his game. It's going to be at least another three years in the WHL before he potentially makes the jump to the AHL level. So there will be plenty of time to focus on his play style and what will help make him a much more successful goalie.
Both players are raw in their game, Sklenička more than Psohlavec. The Flyers showed that they were willing to take a chance on potential upside, and there's nothing wrong with that.
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