Photo Credit: Jose Moreno/Philadelphia Inquirer
The Flyers hold the 13th overall pick in the upcoming Entry Level Draft. Scouting has been a challenge this year due to many developmental leagues shutting down for the season due to the Covid pandemic. The pick has also been linked in potential trades that the team may make to sure up their defense, scoring, or both. In case a deal is not made by the night of the draft, let’s take a look at the recent history of Flyers first round picks.
2020: Tyson Foerster, 23rd overall
Foerster benefited from the OHL halting play for their entire season by spending time with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He played 24 games and accumulated 10 goals and seven assists. A late season leg injury halted his play at an unfortunate time. He will return to the OHL next year if they resume play to continue his growth.
2019: Cam York, 14th overall
Cam York had an eventful 2020-2021 season. It began with a World Junior Championship gold medal win of which he was the captain of the team. The roster featured a ton of talent including: Cole Caufield, Trevor Zegras, and fellow Flyers prospect Bobby Brink. He then played for the University of Michigan until the team left the Frozen Four tournament due to Covid. York signed his ELC and made his Phantoms debut after a quarantine period. He also made his NHL debut and even featured on the power play in a three game stint with the Flyers. York will need a dominant training camp/preseason to crack the main roster. Look for him to start with the Phantoms next season to hone his pro-game.
2018: Joel Farabee (14th overall), Jay O’Brien (19th overall)
Farabee, like York, captained the US team and was drafted by the Flyers 14th overall. 2020-21 was a major step for Joel as he hit the 20 goal mark in his second season with the Flyers. His offseason work showed and he will need to continue to help with his overall consistency. Farabee also showed a lot of poise and leadership in his postgame press conferences and could step up as a leader down the road.
O’Brien has had a rough start to his road to the NHL. He struggled at Providence University and spent a year away from the NCAA. This past season he joined Boston University and scored at a point per game pace. He will need to continue to improve at BU to factor into the Flyers plans.
2017: Nolan Patrick (2nd overall), Morgan Frost (27th overall)
Injuries have seriously affected Patrick’s career and the team is waiting on him to live up to the second overall pick potential he has shown. Rumors have swirled that Patrick would like a fresh start with a new organization. The Flyers would love to keep Patrick around as an RFA and see if he can improve with a nearly healthy full season under his belt.
Frost was called up when Sean Couturier was hurt early in the season and unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury of his own. A separated shoulder and follow up surgery cost him the entire season. The expansion draft and potential trades could open up a spot for Frost to make the main roster out of training camp. He will have to show he has fully healed and can bring the two way game that scouts touted when the Flyers selected him.
2016: German Rubtsov (22nd overall)
Rubtsov has been a player that has struggled to find his footing within the organization. After a few disappointing seasons, he spent the 2020-21 season on a loan in the KHL with team HC Sochi. In 46 games overseas he only totaled 11 points. The Flyers opted to sign him to a one-year, two-way contract for next season. German may be on his last chance to show meaningful progress with the team. He may be destined for another organization, or a return overseas.
If the Flyers keep their first round pick they should focus on adding scoring depth throughout their system. Cam York, Egor Zamula, Wyatte Wylie, Linus Högberg, and Emil Andrae give the team some future options on the blue line. The team is hoping that a number of forward options can rebound from injuries or lack of success thus far. It would not hurt to stockpile another forward through the draft.
