Keith Jones officially became the new President of hockey operations last Friday for the Philadelphia Flyers. He has a clean slate and a fresh new look, the “New Era of Orange” is upon us in the Fall.
With the NHL Draft slated for Wednesday June 28th and Thursday June 29th, Jones will be taking part in his first NHL Draft as President of the orange and black. This is a draft that is top heavy with Forwards for once, and when I say top heavy it’s hard to envision multiple defenseman being selected within the top 7 picks. Matvei Michkov is a shoo-in, and he could be a top three selection if it weren’t for geographical or political reasons. But, it’s hard to envision David Reinbacher or Axel Sandin Pellikka being selected with the 7th pick by the Flyers.
Jones was filmed talking with a good reporter in Frank Seravalli, and he stated “The blue line, to me is the most important thing. We want to have a really advanced back end.” I’m actually not surprised to hear these words, as I’ve been indicating in some of my articles for the past month or so a proper rebuild is building from the net out.
If the Flyers were absolutely inclined on taking a defenseman with their first pick of the 2023 draft, the Flyers could move back in the draft and acquire more assets (Picks) like the orange and black did when they selected Cam York in 2019. However, about a month ago Briere was on record stating that it is possible the Flyers move up in the draft. In the event this does transpire it’s for two forwards: Leo Carlsson or Matvei Michkov.
The Flyers, like most NHL teams could always use a right-handed defenseman or two. Reinbacher is shooting up the draft board, along with Axel Sandin Pelikka, but either be a reach at seven. However, could this be one of those situations where they can act like the Detroit Red Wings in 2019 when they went off board and drafted Moritz Seider with the sixth pick. Many, many pundits did not have Seider within the top 10 of that draft year.
What some people have to realize is when the Flyers say “The best player available” that is according to their draft board through their paid scouts. That is who they believe is “The best player available” according to them, not Craig Button’s board. With that being said, it will be interesting to see the avenue that the Flyers take on June 28, 2023, expect the unexpected might be the motto for the Flyers and the 2023 draft.
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