With the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville officially in the books, it was an eventful one for the Philadelphia Flyers. Not only did the Flyers select arguably the 2nd most offensively skilled player in this Draft in Matvei Michkov at #7 overall. But they also found value in their later round picks as well.
I asked Flyers GM Daniel Briere what the scouting staff’s Draft philosophy was in a media availability. The GM mentioned one thing they were aiming to do was take swings and select players with high upside. It can be debated this has not always been the drafting philosophy of past Flyers front offices. Seeing Briere and his regime ascribe to the drafting methodology above is certainly a refreshing change in ideology.
Briere also relayed that sometimes it’s an approach that can work while at other times it may not be as successful. However, with the amount of picks the Flyers had in this draft they believed it was a philosophy they needed to abide by. Which was specifically accomplished in taking chances on some smaller forwards, goaltenders and big defenseman.
Here’s Briere’s full responses below in relation to the questions I asked him in the media availabilities at the Draft:
Below is a full list of the Flyers picks in the 2023 NHL Draft and a brief description of each players skill set and background:
Round 1:
Matvei Michkov:
Michkov is a 5’10, 172 pound winger who is an elite level talent. He is a puck handling wizard and uses his puck handling skills to confuse defenseman while carrying the puck into the offensive zone. The winger also uses his puck handling ability to his advantage while he possesses the puck in the offensive zone and below the goal line as well.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Michkov is the 2nd most talented player in this draft from a pure skill perspective. His ability to handle the puck in tight spaces, carry the puck into the offensive zone and open up space for himself and teammates. Along with his quick shot release and shooting accuracy only cements the above.
To further demonstrate how skilled Michkov is, the young winger had a 0.67 points per game in the KHL this season while playing for SKA Saint Petersburg in his draft eligible year. The above is effectively the highest point per game average for a Draft eligible KHL player in the last 20 years. If you even go back to the days of the Russian Super League, Michkov’s point per game average even surpasses Alexander Ovechkin who had a 0.45 PPG in his draft eligible season.Â
One huge aspect of Michkov’s game is his shot release. I got to ask the winger about this during the media availability with the #7 overall selection:
Oliver Bonk:
Bonk is a 6’2, 176 pound right shot, right side defenseman. Bonk is a big two way defenseman with offensive upside to his game. While he is also solid defensively in his own end. The two-way defenseman had 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points in 67 games played for the London Knights in the OHL this past season.
The biggest asset to Bonk’s game is his defensive zone play. The young defenseman uses his size effectively to win board battles and retrieve pucks from opposing players through his stick work.
Bonk was listed as 30th in ranking on Bob McKenzie and Craig Button’s draft rankings lists.
A comparable player for Bonk is Jared Spurgeon however, Bonk is obviously much bigger. Though their style of play is similar.
Bonk ultimately projects to be a top 4 defenseman in the NHL which is certainly a need of the Flyers.
Here are some questions below I got to ask Bonk:
Round 2:
Carson Bjarnason:
The Flyers traded up to make the Carson Bjarnason selection. It seems as though Bjarnason was a prospect they coveted at that point in round 2.
The Flyers sent their 167th overall pick this year, along with Los Angeles’ second-round pick in 2024 to move to #51 to select Bjarnason.
In terms of value this was a great selection for the Flyers as the young goaltender was ranked as the #1 goaltending prospect in this Draft by NHL Central Scouting.
Bjarnason is a 6’3, 181 pound goaltender who uses his size to his advantage while in the net. Bjarnason tracks the puck in magnificent fashion while using his size to put himself in the right position to cover as much of the net as possible. Giving him a greater chance to make the save.
While interviewing him he mentioned that his depth play in the net is one of his biggest strengths.
It should be interesting to see how Bjarnason’s development continues to progress as the seasons go along.
Here are some questions below I got to ask Bjarnason:
Round 3:
Egor Zavragin:
The Flyers selected another big goalie in Egor Zavragin who is listed at 6’2 and 183 pounds.
They just selected Egor Zavragin with the #87 overall pick in the 3rd round.
With the Zavragin pick it’s clear the Flyers wanted to add to their goalie prospect pool in this Draft. Especially considering they also drafted Bjarnason.
Zavragin had good stats for Mamonty Yugry in the MHL. 2.49 GAA and .920 sv % in 21 games.
We’ll see if he can make the jump to the VHL and KHL eventually and how he performs in those leagues playing amongst men.
Denver Barkey:
With their 2nd, 3rd round selection at 95th overall the Flyers selected Denver Barkey who is a center for the London Knights in OHL.
Barkey is described to be a 200 foot energy player who is also elusive and can get to scoring areas. One comparable for Barkey is Travis Konecny. However the forward mentioned during his media availability that he tends to try and model his game around Brayden Point.
The Flyers got some great value with this pick as Barkey was ranked 50th on Craig Button’s rankings, while also being ranked 38th and 47th respectively on Smaht scouting and Recruit scouting’s rankings.
It’s likely Barkey may have dropped to round 3 due to his size which is listed at 5’8 and 174 pounds.
Barkey’s skillset is highlighted by his elusiveness on the ice. He uses his puck handling skills to try and evade defenders while also stopping and starting quite frequently through his lateral movements.
Barkey notched 59 points in 61 games this past season for the London Knights
Here are some questions below I got to ask Barkey:
Round 4:
Cole Knuble:
Flyers drafted Cole Knuble at pick #103 overall. Cole is the son of former Flyers forward Mike Knuble.
Knuble is a year older and was an overager in this particular Draft as he was draft eligible last season as well. The right shot center-man is listed at 5’10 and 185 pounds.
This was a good pick for the Flyers as Knuble spent the past season evolving his game and becoming an even better, more well rounded player.
Knuble’s greatest asset is playing in the offensive zone. Similarly to his father he has a willingness to go to the front of the net/dirty areas and battle for pucks. He also worked on his playmaking ability and shot this past season which has greatly improved.
Knuble played for the Fargo Force in the USHL and had 30 goals and 36 assists for 66 points in 57 games played.
Alex Ciernik:
With their 120th pick in Round 4 the Flyers selected Alex Ciernik (listed at 5’10 and 179 pounds) a left wing who played in the Allsvenskan this past season amongst men, which is always a good thing. The forward had 6 points in 10 games for Vasterviks IK.
When assessing Ciernik’s skill set, his offensive instincts and ability to find the scoring areas on the ice is a big part of the winger’s game. Specifically his speed is a huge part of his skillset and his ability to create plays both offensively and defensively.
This was another great value pick in round 4 for the Flyers as Bob McKenzie had Ciernik ranked at #63 on his rankings list. Craig Button had the winger ranked at #59. Lastly Elite Prospects had Ciernik ranked at #61.
It’s clear Ciernik has top 6, 2nd line upside based on his skill set and play. It should be interesting to see how he continues to develop.
Here are some questions below I got to ask Ciernik:
Round 5:
Carter Sotheran:
With their 5th round, 135th selection the Flyers picked Carter Sotheran, a big right shot, right side D-man who played for the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL (listed at 6’3, 185 pounds). He had 23 pts in 68 games played this past season.
Sotheran is a defensive defenseman with above average skating ability and hockey sense.
Combining the above with his size and reach puts him in great positions to break up plays in the defensive zone and move the puck up ice from that point.
This was also another great value pick for the Flyers. Sotheran was ranked 71st amongst North American skaters by Central Scouting. He was ranked 55th by Elite Prospects as well.
Round 6:
Ryan Macpherson:
With their 6th round,172 overall pick the Flyers selected Ryan Macpherson. Macpherson is a left shot, Center, listed at 6’0 and 176 poinds.
He most recently played in the GOJHL with the Leamington Flyers and had 61 pts in 49 games.
The young Center is committed to Penticton Vees of the BCHL next season and the University of New Hampshire in the NCAA for 2024/25 season.
Round 7:
Matteo Mann:
With their final pick in the draft at 199th overall the Flyers selected Matteo Mann. A 6’5, 222 pound big right handed, right shot defenseman.
Mann played for the Chicoutimi Saugueneens of the QMJHL this past season.
This was another high value pick for the Flyers in round 7 as NHL central scouting had Mann ranked at 53rd overall amongst North American skaters.
Mann uses his size and reach effectively to gap up against oncoming forwards and separate them from the puck.
He is also a very heavy hitter who isn’t afraid to use his body and make plays through his physicality to separate forwards from pucks in the defensive zone.
Lastly Mann, is tenacious in board battles and during battles in front of the net. His size plays a major factor here as well in regards to clearing the crease. Essentially Mann uses his physicality to not allow players to set up for tips, rebounds and deflections in front of the net.
Here are some questions below I got to ask Mann:
Final Thoughts:
Overall, the Philadelphia Flyers had a great 2023 NHL Draft. Not only did they select an elite level talent the franchise has been so desperately lacking in Matvei Michkov. But they also made many high value selections throughout rounds 2-7.
The Flyers took swings on higher upside players and when assessing where the team is at currently it’s a refreshing change of pace.
It’s evident they needed to add a lot of talent in all aspects of their prospect pool. The above is something that was certainly achieved in this Draft. Especially considering they drafted some skilled forwards, goaltenders and right side defenseman.
Subsequently, it should be interesting to see how some of these later round Draft picks pan out in the future and when the Flyers new elite talent Matvei Michkov makes the jump to the NHL level.
Bonus Content:
Question I asked the #1 overall pick Connor Bedard:
Questions I asked Flyers Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr:
