Full Draft Review : Flyers Stock Up On Positions Of Need

Coming into the draft, the Flyers prospect pool was probably the deepest in the NHL. However, once you got past their stockpile of left-handed defensemen and goalie prospects, the Flyers prospect pool struggles a little.

Over the past 4 seasons, GM Ron Hextall has stocked up from the backend in. Drafting the likes of Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim, Carter Hart, Felix Sandstrom, and a slew of others. Over this time, the Flyers have been building a strong foundation from the backline in.

But, those defensemen are mostly left-handed and behind Morgan Frost, the Flyers lack depth at almost every other position except goaltending. Those positions being right-handed defensemen and forwards prospects. However, Hextall made that his mission in the 2018 NHL Draft and stocked up on both of those positions.

Round 1 – 14th Overall : Joel Farabee – LW – US National U18 / USNTDP

Joel Farabee is a 6’0″ 169lbs winger out of the US National Team Development Program. Farabee split last season with the US National U18 team and USNTDP. In a combined 88 games last season, Farabee scored 48 goals and added 68 assists. Farabee spent most of the year with the US National U18 team. Farabee was the captain of the US National U18 and displayed great vision and leadership. In 62 games, Farabee scored 33 goals and added 42 assists. Both were second on the team behind his future rival, who was picked 3 spots ahead of him, Oliver Wahlstrom. Farabee also contributed during his time with the USNTDP Junior team in the USHL. In 26 games, Farabee scored 15 goals and added 25 assists.

Farabee is a dynamic speedy winger, that uses his speed and great skating ability to open up shooting lanes in dangerous spots. Many scouts believe that Farabee has the best all around game in the draft. Farabee is fearless and uses that and has tremendous work ethic to become a pain in the offensive zone. But, what truly sets Farabee apart is his defensive awareness. Farabee’s hockey IQ is one of the best in the draft and he uses his IQ to be in the best position possible to intercept a pass or start a counter rush.

“Farabee is an cerebral three-zone playmaker who consistently adheres to textbook fundamentals in addition to being one of the most lethal scorers in his draft class. He can tailor his style to fit any game — wide open, slogging matches, physical…it simply does not matter. Farabee is a top-line winger for the NTDP and he plays that role in every situation no matter the score or time on the clock.”  Steve Kournianos / The Draft Analyst

“He’s a real attention to detail player, he competes hard, he’s got speed, he’s got skill. He can score, he’s a good player. He’s also got size in his family, so I still think there’s a chance he can grow but he’s certainly going to put a lot of beef on.” Flyers GM Ron Hextall

If Farabee can contribute to develop his overall game and he adds weight. Farabee could turn into a player very similar to Washington Capitals Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Round 1 – 19th Overall : Jay O’Brien – C – Thayer Academy USHS-Prep

Jay O’Brien is a 6’0″ 174lbs center out of Thayer Academy in the US High School Prep League. O’Brien played for Thayer Academy, the US National U18 team, the Youngstown Phantoms, and the Cape Cod Whalers U18 team during last season. In a combined 46 games last season, O’Brien scored 50 goals and added 40 assists. O’Brien spent most of his time last year with Thayer Academy of the US High School Prep League. In 30 games, O’Brien scored 43 goals and added 37 assists. Now, this was against lesser talent than juniors, but his skill set still shined averaging 2.66 PPG.

O’Brien is a speedy center that creates space with his quick first step. His quick first step allows him to get to his top end speed quicker than most defenders. O’Brien has the grit, determination, and overall awareness to contribute as a smaller center one day. He matches his great skating ability with great stick handling skills. O’Brien is more of a scorer than playmaker  and could use some work with his passing. But, at the moment, he uses his speed to contribute better and easier passing lanes to his wingers. O’Brien isn’t afraid to throw his body around and loves to stir the pot.

“He’s a really smart player, really good hockey sense. He’s competitive, he’s strong, he’s got a little agitator in him. He’s got a really good shot and sees the ice well. He’s a really good hockey player. He’s a little bit undersized but we think he’s going to be a fit kid and a strong kid. We really liked him. His energy, he’s a really good molder.” Flyers GM Ron Hextall

O’Brien needs to add muscle to his lower-body and work on developing a better overall. But, with enough time and proper development, O’Brien projects to be a decent two-way forward one day. If he can, O’Brien could turn into a player very similar to Travis Konecny.

2nd Round – 50th Overall : Adam Ginning – LHD – Linkoping HC

Adam Ginning is a 6’4″ 205lbs left-handed defenseman out of Linkoping HC of the Swedish Elite League. Ginning spent time last year with Linkoping HC SHL team, U20, and U18 teams. He also was the captain of Sweden’s U18 National team. In a combined 45 games last season, Ginning scored 2 goals and added 6 assists.

Ginning is a big bodied, physical, shut-down defenseman. He doesn’t put up a lot of points, but he makes up for that in what he does off the puck. Ginning is not afraid to throw his body around and is regarded as the one of the best shut-down defense prospects in the draft. His games resembles the old style of hockey defenseman. Even though Ginning isn’t the best skater, he uses his long reach to push incoming players to the boards with ease.

If Ginning can work on his skating ability and improve his offensive side of his game, he will have a better chance at success in the NHL. Ginning has the potential to be a 2nd / 3rd pairing penalty kill specialist defender. Ginning projects to be a similar player to Adam Larsson.

4th Round – 112nd Overall : Jack St. Ivany – RHD – Sioux Falls Stampede

Jack St. Ivany is a 6’3″ 198lbs right-handed defenseman out of the USHL by the way of the Sioux Falls Stampede. Ivany played in 54 games last season for Sioux Falls. In those 54 games, Ivany scored 6 goals and added 30 assists.

Ivany is a big-bodied offensive style defenseman with a plus shot. Ivany does struggle a bit in his own zone and will have to work on his defensive awareness if he wants to succeed at the next level. He is an overager, drafted at age 19, and will attend Yale University next season.

If Ivany can improve his two-way game, he could be an offensive contributing bottom pairing defenseman. Ivany projects to be a similar player to Michael Del Zotto.

5th Round – 127th Overall : Wyatte Wylie – RHD – Everett Silvertips

Wyatte Wylie is a 6’2″ 197lbs right-handed defenseman out of the WHL by the way of the Everett Silvertips. Wylie played in 72 games last season with Everett. In those 72 games, Wylie scored 6 goals and added 25 assists.

Wylie is a stocky two-way defender who loves to throw his body around. Being the # 3 defenseman on a very deep team, Wylie still put up good point production. His confidence grew during the Silvertips playoff run. Getting more ice-time and showing off a more physical game. Wylie’s foot speed isn’t the great, but does have decent acceleration. However, he already has one thing going for him. He has been a mainstay in-front of Flyers future goalie, Carter Hart, for the past 3 seasons.

If Wylie can improve his footwork and speed, he will have a nice NHL career as a decent two-way defender. Wylie projects to be a similar player to Kevin Bieska.

5th Round – 143rd Overall : Samuel Ersson – G – Brynas IF U20

Samuel Errson is a 6’2″ 176 lbs goalie out of the Swedish Super Elite Junior League by the way of Brynas IF U20. Errson played in 40 games last season and posted a 2.53 GAA and a .920 %.

Errson is the heir to the thrown of Brynas IF big club, now vacated by Flyers prospect Felix Sandstrom. Errson is a big butterfly style goalie who loves to challenge his opponents. With his aggressive style of play, Errson does allow some pretty bad goals. Errson needs to develop a better understanding of when to challenge an opponent. If he does, he projects to be an AHL starter / NHL backup one day. You can never have enough goal-tender depth.

6th Round – 174th Overall : Gavin Hain – C/LW – US National U18 / USNTDP

Gavin Hain is a 6’0″ 194 lbs forward out of the US Nation Development program. Just like the Flyers first pick, Joel Farabee, Hain spent the season with the US National U18 team before being selected to the USNTDP Junior team. In 86 games last season, Hain scored 22 goals and added 31 assists.

Hain is a physical two-way center with a motor that never stops. Hain has good hockey awareness on the ice and has great foot work and speed for a bigger guy. Already at NHL size, 6’0″ 196lbs, Hain needs to learn how to use his size to his advantage to be successful at the next level.

Ranked as the # 105 prospect according to ISS Hockey, the Flyers could have another college steal on their hands. Hain will have 4 years to produce in the NCAA and could end up being another late round gem by GM Ron Hextall. Oh yeah, btw, he is going to Dave Hakstol’s old spot, North Dakota. Hardly think that played in any decision why he was chosen by the Flyers.

7th Round – 205th Overall : Marcus Westfalt – LW / C – Brynas IF J20

Marcus Westfalt is a 6’3″ 203 lbs forward out of the Swedish SuperElite Junior League by the way of Brynas IF J20. Westfalt played in 57 games last year in the Brynas system. In those 57 games, Westfalt scored 13 goals and added 18 assists. Westfalt split the season between Brynas’s big club and their highest junior team. In 26 games with Brynas J20, Westfalt scored 12 goals and added 15 assists. In 31 games with Brynas, Westfalt scored 1 goal and added 3 assists.

Westfalt is a big bodied power-forward type of winger. He uses his strength along the boards to protect the puck and create space for himself to shot or find the open man. Westfalt has a high hockey IQ and displays great passing ability for a teenage. Westfalt needs to improve his skating ability if he wants to make it to the NHL.

If Westfalt can improve his skating, he will be a steal. Westfalt remind me alot of Oskar Lindblom in his draft year. A guy who needed help with his skating but had all the tools to succeed. Look for Westfalt to take a similar route as Lindblom. And I think you know where this is going. Westfalt projects to be a similar player to Oskar Lindblom.




The Flyers drafted a total of 8 players during the 2018 NHL Draft. The main focus was forwards and right-handed defenseman. It was apparent that the Flyers really like this years class from the USNTDP and Swedish born players.

Thats all from Dallas and the 2018 NHL Draft. Free agency is up next for the Flyers.