2018 NHL Draft Preview : Unlimited Amount Of Possibilities For The Flyers

The 2018 NHL Draft is just over a week away. In a weeks time, the Flyers front office staff will be in Dallas preparing their final top player rankings for the 1st round of the NHL draft. Currently, the Flyers have two picks in the 1st round. They own picks # 14 & # 19.




However, with the given fire-power of two 1st round picks, Flyers GM, Ron Hextall, is in a perfect position to move up in the draft if he chooses to do so. If Hextall moves up, it will be for a player that the Flyers have evaluated and believe is better than the two players they can get at #14 & #19.

 

But, the draft will have to go just the way the Flyers want it too for them to trade up. At the moment, the draft will start at pick #4, Ottawa Senators. Why? Well, there is three clear top prospects in this draft that will go 1, 2, & 3. Those three players are LHD Rasmus Dahlin, RW Andrei Svechnikov, & RW Filip Zadina.




After those three players, the draft is split into another group of players that can go anywhere from pick # 4 to # 10. The order all depending on how the team drafting views those players. This is the group of players that I could see the Flyers trading up for. But, it all depends on the order the players are selected in.

 

From talking to sources and scouts around the league, I believe the Flyers, if they trade up, are looking at three prospects. Those three prospects are RHD Noah Dobson, RHD Evan Bouchard, and LW / RW Brady Tkachuk. All three guys play a position of need for the Flyers. Which has led Flyers GM Ron Hextall to already get the wheels in motion for a trade up to choose one if the Flyers go that route.



 

Now, to be clear, this does not mean the Flyers are definitely trading up. NO. What I am reporting is Hextall has made it known to GMs in the top 10 that he might want to trade up if the right player and deal presents itself.  Therefore, as I explained in a later tweet, Hextall has done the pre-trade work and has the groundwork for a deal done.




Remember, when the draft gets moving, the team picking only has 10 minutes to pick a player or trade the pick. That is not a lot of time to go back and forth on potential deals and finally agree on one. This is a key reason why Hextall has been forward thinking and has set the groundwork for a potential deal on draft night next Friday already.

 

Now, lets get to the draft. I could see this going two ways for the Flyers. First, lets look at a trade up.



Flyers Trade Up To #7

Flyers : Pick #7 & Pick #68

Canucks : Pick #14, Pick #19, & Pick #112

 

7th Overall Selection : Noah Dobson, RHD, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

Noah Dobson is a 6’3″ 180lbs right handed defenseman out of the QMJHL by the way of Acadie-Bathurst. Dobson is known as an excellent two-way defender with a nose for the puck. He possesses a very powerful shot from the point and uses his edges well for a smooth skating stride. Dobson’s high hockey IQ makes him a candidate one day to be a top pairing defenseman able to play in all three zones, log big minutes, contribute offensively, and become an elite penalty killer. Dobson will need another season in juniors to bulk up and add muscle. But, could see NHL action as early as 2019-2020.

 

Even though a trade up would be exciting for the fans, the Flyers can still get great talent if they stay put at #14 and #19 too. Here’s a look at what the Flyers could get if they stay put.



Flyers Stay Put At 14 & 19

14th Overall Selection : Vitali Kravtsov, RW, Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL)

Vitali Kravtsov is a 6’2″ 182lbs right winger out of the KHL by the way of Traktor Chelyabinsk. Kravtsov is a big skilled winger that possesses a scoring touch from anyway in your lineup. He uses his edges well which contributes to a strong and speedy stride. Kravtsov brings a great offensive touch to his game. But, he is not afraid to throw his weight around in big hits or battling for pucks along the boards. Kravtsov has the potential to be a top 6 scoring forward one day. If it wasn’t for his contract in the KHL, Kravtsov would have been a sure fire top 10 pick.

 

19th Overall Selection : Martin Kaut, RW, HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech)

Martin Kaut is a 6’2″ 174lbs right winger out of the Czech Pro League by the way of HC Dynamo Pardubice.  Kaut is a mature playmaking winger that possesses great hands and a nose for the back of the net. He uses his great vision to complement his great passing ability. Kaut brings a great offensive touch, but also plays a committed defensive game to complement it. Kaut has the potential to be a two-way star forward one day.



By Brandon Sommermann | June 13, 2018