As you look back over some of the Philadelphia Flyers' worst draft picks, one thing stands out. Most of these players were selected in recent years. Inevitably, these choices factored into the recent decline of the team. One can only hope that the organization a reversal with the current GM, Danny Briere.
Cutter Gauthier
After being picked fifth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Gauthier eventually refused to sign with the Flyers and forced the team’s hand to trade him. Nobody could have predicted that. It does not look like he will be a bust, but keep in mind this is a list of lamentable draft picks, which does not always mean the worst players.
Gauthier was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale. Drysdale continued to improve all season, but Gauthier had a strong rookie campaign, putting up 45 points in 82 games. It is too early to grade how the trade turned out or determine which other draft picks may have been a better option, but let’s give it a shot.
Other notable draft picks:
- David Jiricek: Defender drafted sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He put up 13 points in 59 NHL games before a falling out with the team that sent him packing to Minnesota. At 6’3” he is a big guy with an even bigger shot.
- Pavel Mintyukov: Drafted tenth overall by the Anaheim Ducks and is another left-handed defender. He already has 131NHL games and 47 points to his name. He’s a skilled, offensive-minded player who has a high ceiling.
- Marco Kasper: Drafted eighth overall by the Detroit Red Wings. He’s a 6’1” center with 37 points in 78 NHL games.
Jay O’Brien
O’Brien was drafted 19th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He was not projected to go as high as he did. Some scouts didn’t project him as a first-round pick at all. He was still in high school at the time. He never played a game of professional hockey. It was a terrible pick, and the only thing that did not make it worse was that it was not a particularly deep draft.
Other notable draft picks:
- K’Andre Miller: Selected 22nd overall by the New York Rangers. The defenseman has 368 NHL games and 132 points to his name.
- Rasmus Sandin: Drafted 29th overall by Toronto. The defender has 116 points in 309 games.
- Joseph Veleno: Taken 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. In 306 NHL appearances, he has 81 points.
Nolan Patrick
Patrick was taken second overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. At the time, it was a toss-up whether he or fellow center Nico Hischier would go first. The Flyers lost that coin toss. He played 124 games with the Flyers, but consistently missed time because of a migraine disorder. He last played in 2022. You must feel bad for him. Even without the health issues, the pick would have aged poorly for the Flyers because of those who were drafted with the following three picks.
Other notable draft picks:
- Miro Heiskanen: Drafted third overall by the Dallas Stars. The defender has 258 points in 425 games, was named an All-Star and to the All-Rookie Team.
- Cale Makar: Drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Makar is a generation talent who has 248 points in 395 games from the blue line. He has won a Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year, a Norris Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a Stanley Cup championship.
- Elias Pettersson: The 6’2” center was drafted fifth overall by Vancouver. He is a four-time All Star who won the Calder Memorial Trophy and made the NHL All-Rookie Team.
German Rubtsov
Rubtsov was drafted 22nd overall by the Flyers in 2016. The center played four NHL games. With the 36th pick, the Flyers also drafted Pascal Laberge, who never played in the NHL.
Other notable draft picks:
- Tage Thompson: Drafted 26th overall by St. Louis. Thompson is an All-Star center with 325 points in 448 games.
- Jordan Kyrou: Picked 35th overall, also by St. Louis. Kyrou is also an All-Star, but plays right wing. He has 332 points in 416 games.
- Alex DeBrincat: Drafted 39th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. DeBrincat is a two-time All-Star with 510 points in 614 games.
Sam Morin
Morin was drafted 11th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is a good guy who was plagued by knee injuries. Morin is a 6’6” defenseman who had 1 point in 29 NHL games. Much like Nolan Patrick, he had to retire early. He was 26.
Other notable draft picks:
- Max Domi: Drafted 12th overall by the Coyotes (via the Jets). The center has played 735 NHL games and recorded 450 points.
- Alexander Wennberg: Selected 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. A two-way center with 789 NHL games and 370 points to date.
- Josh Morrissey: Chosen 13th overall by the Winnipeg Jets. The defenseman has logged 662 NHL games, totaled 373 points, and was named an NHL All-Star in 2023.
- Ryan Pulock: Drafted 15th overall by the New York Islanders. The blueliner has played 560 games and contributed 214 points.
Hindsight is 20/20 and drafting is not an exact science. Plenty of factors went into why these picks did not work out, including injuries, bad scouting, and a difference of opinion. No matter what the reason, the Flyers’ selections opened opportunities for the teams that drafting after them, but even they had hit-or-miss selections.