The Flyers made three more picks after selecting Carter Amico in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Just who are Jake Murtagh, Shane Vansaghi, and Matthew Gard? Here is a good scouting report of all three new draftees by the Flyers.
Jack Murtagh
Jack Murtagh is a 6’1, 200-pound Left Wing/Center from East Greenbush, New York, eligible for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) U18 team, he’s committed to Boston University for the 2025-26 season.
Strengths
- Skating and Speed: Murtagh is an explosive skater with powerful strides, capable of reaching top speed quickly and blowing past defenders in open ice. His linear speed and ability to change pace make him dangerous on the rush and effective on the forecheck, pressuring defenders into turnovers.
- Shooting Ability: Known for a pro-caliber snap shot and a deceptive in-motion release, Murtagh’s wrist shot and one-timer are major assets, especially on the power play. He led the NTDP with seven power-play goals and 165 shots on goal in 56 games during the 2024-25 season, showcasing a shooter’s mentality.
- Physicality and Work Ethic: Murtagh plays a high-motor, power-forward style, excelling in puck battles, driving to the net, and engaging in physical play. He’s not afraid to go to dirty areas, take hits, or deliver them, making him a relentless competitor. His ability to protect the puck and battle through contact is notable.
- Offensive Awareness: He anticipates breakouts well, intercepts poor clears, and creates scoring chances with 2.5 Grade “A” opportunities per game and a 17% conversion rate. Murtagh’s quick hands and puck skills allow him to avoid stick checks and make plays in tight spaces.
- Two-Way Potential: While primarily an offensive threat, Murtagh shows solid defensive positioning, using an active stick to disrupt passing lanes and contribute to turnovers. He’s effective in all situations, including against NCAA competition, where he led NTDP players with 16 points (6G, 10A) in 18 games.
Areas for Improvement
- Defensive Consistency: Murtagh’s defensive engagement can be inconsistent. He sometimes gets caught puck-watching or lacks urgency in his own zone, which impacts his effectiveness as a two-way player. His penalty kill usage is minimal, suggesting limited trust in defensive situations.
- Transition Play: He tends to defer to linemates in the neutral zone, acting as a passenger rather than leading the rush. Adding shiftiness to his straight-line speed and improving edgework could elevate his game.
- Shot Efficiency: Despite high shot volume, Murtagh’s shots are blocked at a high rate (1.38 per game, 1.56 in USHL matchups), indicating a need for better deception and variability in his release.
- Decision-Making: At times, he attempts high-risk plays, like beating multiple defenders, leading to turnovers. Simplifying his game and improving passing accuracy (88% completion, but rushed decisions noted) could make him more effective.
- Strength and Agility: While his size is an asset, Murtagh wins only 42% of 50/50 battles in NTDP games (32% in USHL), suggesting he needs to get stronger to maximize his physicality against bigger opponents. His agility, particularly in tight turns, also requires refinement.
Performance and Stats
- 2024-25 Season (NTDP U18): 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) in 56 games, with 7 power-play goals and 4 game-winning goals. Tied for third on the team with 27 points (12G, 15A) in 27 games against USHL opponents.
- International Play: At the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championship, he had 6 points (2G, 4A) in 7 games, helping the U.S. win bronze. He also led the 5-Nations tournament with 7 points (2G, 5A) in 4 games.
- CHL-USA Prospects Challenge: Scored two power-play goals (one-timers) in two games, standing out despite the NTDP’s struggles against Canadian competition.
Murtagh was ranked Number 30 on NHL Central Scouting’s final list of North American skaters, with projections ranging from late first to early second round, though some see him as a second-to-fourth-round pick due to inconsistency. His combination of size, speed, and scoring touch draws comparisons to players like Ross Colton or Ryan Leonard, with potential as a middle-six scoring winger with power-play upside.
His ability to play a heavy, goal-scoring game with infectious compete makes him a desirable prospect, but refining his defensive game and adding strength will be key to reaching his ceiling as a versatile NHL forward. Murtagh’s scoring prowess and physical style align well with the Flyers’ identity, and he’s expected to continue developing at Boston University.
Shane Vansaghi
Shane Vansaghi is a 6’2, 216-pound Right-Shot right Winger from St. Louis, Missouri, born on October 11, 2006, and the Flyers selected him 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Currently a rising sophomore at Michigan State University (NCAA), he is a power forward with a physical, high-energy style that projects as a bottom-six NHL forward with potential for middle-six upside.
Strengths
- Physicality and Forechecking: Vansaghi is a physically imposing player, often described as a “wrecking ball” who dominates on the forecheck. He engages in an average of 12 puck battles per game, using his size, strength, and leverage to win battles along the boards and disrupt opponents’ breakouts. His relentless hitting and high motor make him exhausting to play against, drawing comparisons to players like Zach Hyman or Miles Wood.
- Defensive Engagement: He plays a positionally sound defensive game, showing mature awareness by supporting down low, tracking threats, and using an active stick to disrupt passing lanes. His defensive reliability makes him a candidate for penalty-kill roles as his career progresses.
- Work Ethic and Motor: Vansaghi’s relentless compete level and high energy are standout traits. He rarely fails to finish checks and brings intensity to every shift, making him a fan-favorite type player who can energize a lineup.
- Puck Protection and Playmaking: He uses his body effectively to shield the puck, showing flashes of slick puck skills and playmaking ability. Vansaghi can make strong passes in transition or from below the goal line, often with a touch of deception, and positions himself for return feeds, demonstrating above-average hockey sense.
- Shot Potential: While not his primary strength, Vansaghi has a heavy shot that can be a threat when he gets into scoring positions. His ability to fire pucks through traffic or drag them for a deceptive release adds offensive upside, though it’s still developing.
- Physical Maturity: At 216 pounds, Vansaghi already has an NHL-ready frame, allowing him to compete effectively against older, stronger NCAA opponents as an 18-year-old freshman. His grip strength (180 pounds per hand) and 15 pull-ups at the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine highlight his physical prowess.
Areas for Improvement
- Skating: Vansaghi’s biggest weakness is his skating, described as clunky, stiff, and upright with sub-par acceleration. While he compensates with effort and pace, his lack of explosiveness and agility limits his ability to separate in open ice or create off the rush consistently. Improving his stride and edgework is critical for NHL projection.
- Offensive Consistency: His offensive ceiling is uncertain due to limited top-six minutes at Michigan State (averaging 12:01 per game). He posted 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) in 37 games as a freshman, respectable but not dominant, partly due to playing on a stacked team with nine NHL-drafted players. Developing more consistent scoring and creativity will determine if he can climb beyond a bottom-six role.
- Puck-Handling Skills: Vansaghi’s puck skills are not elite, and he relies more on simple, high-effort plays than finesse. While he shows occasional flashes of deft moves, these are inconsistent, and he’s not projected to become a high-skill playmaker.
- Inconsistent Effort: Some scouting reports note occasional lapses in focus and effort across all three zones, which can last for shifts or longer periods. Maintaining his high-motor intensity consistently will be key to maximizing his impact.
Performance and Stats
- 2024-25 Season (Michigan State, NCAA): As one of the youngest players in college hockey, Vansaghi played all 37 games, recording 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists), including two power-play goals. He was the highest-scoring player under 19 on a deep Michigan State team that finished with a 26-7-4 record and topped the Big Ten Conference. He earned MSU’s Outstanding Rookie Award as the only freshman to play every game.
- Previous Seasons (USNTDP): With the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP), Vansaghi had 41 points (14 goals, 27 assists) in 113 games across two seasons (2022-24). His production was modest due to a bottom-six role on.
Matthew Gard
Matthew Gard is a 6’5, 195-pound Left-Shot Center/Left Winger from Winnipeg, Manitoba, born on April 7, 2007, he was selected 57th overall in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Playing for the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Gard is a towering, two-way forward with a big frame and a hard-working style, projecting as a potential bottom-six NHL center with middle-six upside if his offensive game develops further.
Strengths
- Size and Reach: At 6’5” and 195 pounds, Gard’s size is a major asset, allowing him to dominate net-front positioning and create screens on the power play. His long reach helps him win puck battles, recover loose pucks (2.5 per game), and disrupt plays with 4.2 takeaways per game, according to Neutral Zone.
- Two-Way Reliability: Gard is a defensively responsible forward, trusted in key situations by Red Deer’s coaching staff. He averaged 1:59 of shorthanded ice time per game and won 51-52.3% of his 15 faceoffs per game, showcasing his ability to handle defensive-zone responsibilities. His positioning and active stick make him effective at guiding attacks to the outside and clamping down on opponents’ sticks.
- Physicality and Work Ethic: Described as a “long-bodied, Power-Forward Center” with a high compete level, Gard combines physicality with a strong work ethic. He’s tough to move in front of the net, engages in puck battles, and brings energy on the forecheck, making him a valuable presence in gritty areas.
- Net-Front Presence: Gard excels at the top of the crease, using his size to screen goalies and tip pucks. His ability to jostle for position and create space was evident on Red Deer’s first power-play unit and during Canada’s U18 World Championship gold-medal run, where he scored a goal and added three assists in seven games.
- Hockey IQ: Gard’s cerebral game allows him to read plays effectively, anticipate attacks, and position himself well off the puck. His vision and ability to make plays in tight spaces, such as spinning off defenders, suggest untapped offensive potential.
- Mobility for Size: Despite his large frame, Gard moves fluidly with a long, efficient stride, avoiding the awkwardness common in players still growing into their bodies. His open-ice speed helps him recover defensively and support plays.
Areas for Improvement
- Skating and Acceleration: Gard’s biggest weakness is his skating, particularly his acceleration, which lacks the explosiveness needed to separate from defenders. While he skates well for his size with a long stride, improving his first-step quickness and agility is critical for NHL projection.
- Offensive Ceiling: Gard’s offensive production (19 goals, 17 assists in 66 WHL games) is modest for a second-round pick, partly due to playing on a struggling Red Deer team (17th of 22 WHL teams). His secondary scoring (36 points) and inconsistent playmaking suggest he’s not yet a top-six offensive threat, and he was underutilized on Red Deer’s power play, often feeling like an “afterthought.” Developing more creativity and consistency is key.
- Consistency: Scouts note that Gard’s impact wanes at times, particularly on the power play, where he doesn’t always receive the puck in optimal positions. His highlight-reel plays are sporadic, and he needs to string together more consistent offensive performances.
- Physical Maturity: While already large, Gard’s 195-pound frame is still lean, and adding strength will enhance his ability to dominate physically against NHL competition. His performance in the VO2 Max drill (fifth among prospects at the 2025 NHL Combine) shows good endurance, but bulking up could elevate his game.
Performance and Stats
- 2024-25 Season (Red Deer Rebels, WHL): Led the team with 19 goals (including 6 power-play goals and 4 game-winners) and tied for the team lead with 36 points (17 assists) in 66 games. His 52.3% faceoff win rate and defensive reliability made him a go-to player in high-leverage situations, especially with captain Ollie Josephson sidelined by injury.
- Career WHL Stats: In 121 games, Gard has 54 points (26 goals, 28 assists), showing steady improvement from his rookie season (7 goals, 18 points in 2023-24).
- International Play: At the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship, Gard helped Canada win gold, contributing 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 7 games. His net-front presence was key in power-play situations.
- NHL Scouting Combine: Ranked fifth in the VO2 Max drill, demonstrating strong endurance. Met with 25 NHL teams, indicating significant interest.
Gard’s NHL floor is a dependable, two-way bottom-six center who excels in defensive situations, penalty killing, and net-front roles on the power play, with comparisons to Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry or Boston Bruins forward Fraser Minten. If his skating and offensive game improve, he could develop into a middle-six forward with secondary scoring potential, similar to a less offensively dynamic Tomas Holmstrom. His size, hockey IQ, and defensive habits make him a low-risk pick with championship-caliber intangibles.
Believe it or not, Gard fits the Flyers emphasis on size and physicality, joining other big forwards like Shane Vansaghi and Jake Murtagh in their 2025 draft class. His selection at Number 57 was praised for adding a toolsy, two-way center with a high floor to their prospect pool. Gard will likely return to Red Deer for another WHL season to refine his skating and offensive game before potentially transitioning to the AHL or NHL. His performance at the 2025 NHL Combine and U18 World Championship boosted his stock, and he’s seen as a player with “legitimate two-way potential” who could become a steal if his development progresses.
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