Recap of The Flyers Draft Rounds 2-7
After hitting a home run on day one of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers still had work to do with their 8 remaining picks. Going into the day the Flyers did not have a pick until the 3rd round.
That changed when the Flyers made a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
TRADE ALERT: We have moved up into the second round of the draft in a deal with Chicago, grabbing the 51st pick. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/qTLT5N1hi0
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
The Flyers acquired pick number 51 in exchange for a 2024 2nd round pick as well as a 6th round pick in this years draft. With that 51st selection the Flyers selected goaltender Carson Bjarnason who was rated the top North American goaltending prospect.
The @NHLFlyers basically just traded Jay O'Brien for the top North American goalie prospect in this draft, Carson Bjarnason.
I'd say that was an upgrade.
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) June 29, 2023
As Anthony said, an upgrade for sure for the Flyers after Jay O’Brien was not signed and never developed into what the Flyers had hoped. If Carson can develop into a solid goaltender this could be a huge win for the Philadelphia Flyers.
3rd Round:
The Flyers had two selections in the third round picks number 87 and 95.
With the 87th overall pick the Flyers once again went with a goaltender, this time it was Egor Zavragin from Russia.
With the 95th overall pick the Flyers seleceted Center Denver Barkey from the OHL.
4th Round:
With the first of their two fourth round picks the Flyers turned it into a family affair. Selecting former Flyers winger Mike Knuble son Cole, a center from the University of Notre Dame.
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 103rd pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Cole Knuble. pic.twitter.com/wJxQlXiBoE
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
With the 120th pick the Flyers selected Left Winger Alex Ciernik from Slovakia.
5th Round:
At 135 the Flyers Selected defenseman Carter Sotheran from the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 135th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Carter Sotheran. pic.twitter.com/4D7u6XkMaj
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
6th Round:
After trading one of their 6th round picks at 172 the Flyers selected Ryan MacPherson a Center from the BCHL
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 172nd pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Ryan MacPherson. pic.twitter.com/T1qRyjfGAh
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
7th Round:
With their final pick of this years draft at 199 the Flyers added another defenseman in Matteo Mann from the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL.
🔸 WELCOME TO PHILLY! 🔸
With the 199th pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, we are proud to select Matteo Mann. pic.twitter.com/JehO6suOQq
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
That is a wrap for the Flyers 2023 draft class, in which overall I think was a success. Obviously time will tell but landing a player like Michkov in round 1 is a huge win. They upgraded their defense prospects with Bonk, Sotheran, and Mann while adding forwards in Barkey, Ciernik, Knuble, and MacPherson. Briere was also able to stock up on the goaltenders as well with the back to back picks of Bjarnason and Zavragin.
In his first draft as the GM I would give Danny Briere a grade of an A based on getting high end talent and also filling team needs. Michkov is the big piece of this draft and Briere also didn’t make any moves that would hurt the teams future. He has given the Flyers more options to play with as they proceed with this rebuild.
Next up on the off-season agenda is Free agency which opens on Saturday. I don’t expect the Flyers to be major players but more so just to fill out the roster as they will try again to have a high draft pick next season.
Make sure to follow @FlyersFanLife on Twitter for all of your Flyers coverage.
-Walsh