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The NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, 2025, was a massive one for the Flyers. With a 9.5% chance at moving up to the No. 1 pick and an equal shot at No. 2, they were in the hunt for a game-changer like defenseman Matthew Schaefer or forwards Michael Misa or James Hagens—prospects who could redefine the franchise. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in their cards as they fell two spots to the sixth overall pick for the upcoming NHL Draft.
A player like Schaefer, a puck-moving defenseman, or Misa, a 134-point OHL star, would have been great to pair with Matvei Michkov (26 goals this season) to push the Flyers toward contention next year. Hagens, with his elite speed, could be a top-six center for a decade. But the draft is a minefield—a bust like Nolan Patrick in 2017, picked over Cale Makar, could delay the rebuild by years. With three first-round picks (their own, Edmonton’s, and Colorado’s) and four second-rounders, General Manager Danny Brière has flexibility to not only draft impact players, but he has assets trade for a star.
After a 33-39-10 season and five playoff-less years, this lottery could be the turning point back to relevancy. This top pick might fast-track the Flyers to relevance, but a whiff could keep them in the wilderness. High stakes are at play with the franchise in June, where this has become the biggest pick in years for this organization. They cannot miss, or strike out with this golden opportunity.
Of course, the Flyers didn’t get lucky like the Chicago Blackhawks have in the past. It’s very Flyers, not to get lucky.
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Matvei Michkov
To make matters worse with the draft lottery for the Flyers.
Matvei Michkov isn’t even a finalist for the Carter Trophy.
I understand some fans sentiment thinking that everything is against the Flyers.
Who cares he is going to be a great player, screw the award.