Prospects Started To Fall, Flyers Stayed Put, Pounced On Two Highly Skilled Forwards

Going into the draft, GM Ron Hextall made it known that he was in a perfect position. With great depth in the Flyers system, Hextall stated he had the ability to package his 1st round draft picks to move up to select one player or stay put and draft two guys.




Well, after a shocking pick of Barrett Hayton by Arizona at # 5, it started a chain of players to start to drop. This was what needed to happen for the Flyers to pounce on one player in a trade up situation.

However, it also meant other players would also fall. This is where Hextall saw the value. Instead of trading up and burning both picks on one guy, Hextall stayed put and added two more prospects to an already deep Flyers prospect pool.




At pick #14, the Flyers selected speedy shoot-first winger Joel Farabee. Farabee, 6’0″ 161lbs, was drafted out of the US Development League.

Last year, Farabee was the captain of the US Development Team and posted 33 goals and 43 assists in 62 games. Farabee is a dangerous speedy two-way forward who uses his high hockey IQ to make every shift count. With being the captain last season, it shows the leadership seen in Farabee game. Farabee uses his edges well, which shows with his quick acceleration and his ability to get by defenders with ease in one-on-one situations. Farabee’s game projects similar to Jake Guentzel.




Then, after a long discussion on the phone, the Flyers drafted Jay O’Brien at #19. O’Brien, was drafted out of US High School Prep by the way of Thayer Academy.

Last year, O’Brien scored 43 goals and 37 assists in 30 games. Yes, you heard that correctly, 43 goals and 80 points in 30 games. However, don’t get too excited as it was against high school talent not junior level talent. But, that doesn’t take away from O’Brien’s skill set. O’Brien is a speedy center who displays great hands and has a nose for the back of the net. He displays a great mix of speed, grit, and determination. O’Briens game projects similar to Travis Konecny.




The O’Brien pick reminds me a lot of Morgan Frost last season. A prospect that was seen as a tad early pick, but will prove himself with time.

With drafting two forwards, the Flyers improved their forward prospect group dramatically. When you add Farabee and O’Brien to Frost, Lindblom, Konecny, Patrick, and Rubstov, the Flyers now have depth at forward similar to their defense.




An amazing night 1 at the draft for the Flyers. Onto day 2 tomorrow where the Flyers have picks 50, 112, 127, 143, 174, 190 & 205. Full draft review on all players will come tomorrow.