Without a doubt, the Flyers have found themselves on the wrong end of "luck" in the NHL draft several times. Perhaps the most notable example in recent memory is when the Flyers were awarded the second overall pick, drafting Nolan Patrick in 2017. The Flyers selected Patrick over Miro Heiskanen, who went third to Dallas, and Cale Makar, who went fourth to Colorado.
After three underwhelming seasons with the Flyers (2017-2020), Patrick was traded to Vegas, where he continued to put up average numbers and be plagued by migraine issues. While he hasn't officially retired, he last appeared in the NHL in 2023. Looking at what Makar and Heiskanen have achieved with their respective clubs thus far puts even more salt in the wound for Flyers fans to this day.
Although it's statistically unlikely the Flyers can land the first or second overall pick in the draft lottery, there is still a 19% chance they find themselves picking in the top two. So, it makes sense to analyze which projected franchise player will fit into the Flyers' rebuild timeline in the coming years.
Matthew Schaefer
Schaefer is an offensive defenseman with notable size, coming in at 6'2" and 183 lbs. NHL Central Scouting feels he is the most talented defenseman available to be drafted. During the 2024-25 season, the 17-year-old notched 22 points (7G, 15 A) in 17 games for the OHL's Erie Otters and two points (1 G, 1 A) in two games during the 2025 World Junior Championship.
However, he did suffer a broken collarbone while representing Canada during the tournament and missed the remainder of the 2024-25 season. As if his size and offensive production weren't desirable enough, his NHL comparable is Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yes, the Zach Werenski who's a Norris Trophy finalist for the NHL's most valuable defenseman.
Schaefer's ability to join the rush, see the ice, and get shots on net are just a few of his attributes that can only improve as he continues to fill out physically and develop into a future NHL standout.
Michael Misa
Also hailing from Canada, Misa is a 6'1", 185 lb. center who scored an absurd 134 (62 G, 72 A) points in 65 games for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL in the 2024-25 season. Some insist he was "snubbed" of representing Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship. But that didn't stop his unbelievable production for the rest of the season. Known for his two-way play, he is able to change the tide of the game on both ends of the puck.
His hockey IQ and physical attributes appear to be the whole package. Plus, he's a center, a position most NHL teams are looking to fill with a franchise player shortly. Whether it be powerplay conversions or penalty kill shutdowns, Misa has shown he's the real deal and "demands attention" both with and without the puck. As if he wasn't desirable enough, his NHL comparable players range from Mitch Marner to Steven Stamkos. What NHL team wouldn't want a cornerstone player like that on their first line every night?
Although the idea of the Flyers being fortunate enough to get a legitimate chance to draft either of the two prospects is somewhat of a pipe dream, it can't hurt to analyze possibilities. Without a doubt, both Misa and Schaeffer would be coveted pieces of the Flyers' rebuild if drafted to Philadelphia. It's become glaringly obvious recently that there's a huge void at the center position. That has become accentuated with Matvei Michkov's early arrival.
However, some may say the Flyers are also in dire need of a #1 defenseman to play alongside Travis Sanheim as well. Given Cam York's developmental regression and Ristolainen's recurring injury history, the Flyers' defensive core could very well be more unstable than it was at the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
As for now, fans of the orange and black can only anxiously await the draft lottery on May 5th. Here's to hoping the hockey gods allow the coveted ping pong balls to fall in favor of the Philly faithful next week.