For what was deemed as an average NHL Draft heading in, GM Daniel Briere and the Philadelphia Flyers will have their hands full throughout and more importantly at 12th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft with the Florida Panthers’ late first-round selection still to be determined following the conclusion of their Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Anything can happen in the draft, so I have compiled a strong outline for a Flyers mock draft. Wherever I felt comfortable enough to emphasize, I did, while mapping out other likely considerations for particular picks. Please keep note of the “likely and other consideration picks” as well throughout.
Disregarding any potential movement or trades heading into Las Vegas, Nevada, there are hundreds of ways the draft board could fall. Here are some of the best options available to the Flyers.
1st Round, 12th Overall: Cole Eiserman, F, Boston Univ.
Likely Pick: Berkly Catton (F)
Other Considerations: Tij Iginla (F), Carter Yakemchuk (D), Konsta Helenius (F)
Right out of the gate, I have the Philadelphia Flyers brass drafting Cole Eiserman, 17, from Newburyport, Massachusetts. GM Daniel Briere has been tasked with finding more skill down the middle, especially after trading 2022 fifth-overall pick Cutter Gauthier, to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale in January.
Eiserman is everything the Flyers need and more, the one-two punch alongside top prospect Matvei Michkov. Eiserman has set a new US National Team Development Program’s all-time goal record with 127 goals. The 17-year-old can, and will, shoot from anywhere in the offensive zone with unreal accuracy, showcasing his deadly release that beats almost any goaltender cleanly.
With the raw talent he possesses along with his shot he looks NHL-ready, with similarities to Connor Bedard. He is a pure-bred sniper with silky hands to toe-drag release around defenders. With stick in hand, he is a dynamic shooting threat in any situation.
He is seen as a one-dimensional player, resulting in the deflated draft stock. While he is not much of a playmaking threat, according to scouts, he sometimes struggles to find open space when carrying the puck. However, he reads plays extremely well and can bring more to his game over time.
Cycling the puck well, cutting through the neutral zone, retrieving a loose puck and finding an opening are all signs that point towards the Massachusetts native being an intelligent forward.
In the fall of 2025-26, he will arrive at Boston University and surely see some keen improvement throughout his game in the NCAA. Eiserman is a special player with an overarching upside and always seems to be a step or two ahead of everyone else.
1st Round, FLA Pick: Cole Hutson, LHD, Boston Univ.
Likely Pick: Henry Mews (D)
Other Considerations: Nikita Artamonov (F), Charlie Elick (D), Maxim Massé (F)
Cole Huston, 17, is a small dynamic left-handed rearguard who led the USNTDP Juniors blueline all over the stat sheet and is preparing to take his talent to Boston University in 2024-25. Cole, similar to his brother Lane, despite a smaller stature, never shies away from the heavy part of the game – battling for position, pushing opponents to the outside while still being an offensive threat from anywhere on the ice.
In his freshman year, Hutson provided 8 goals, 34 assists and 42 points in as many games, the most by a U-19 NCAA freshman defenseman in over 30 years joining some elite company. It did not take long for him to reach that plateau again, finding the back of the net 15 times with 36 assists and 51 points through 51 games in his junior year.
Hutson has learned to use his 5-foot-10, 159-pound build to his advantage, winning board battles often with a lower center of gravity, which allows him to escape situations while also landing low-impactful hits. He’s not overly strong but there is still a lot of power behind his shot and 119 points in 112 games proves it.
He has first-pairing upside with fluidity, creativity, deception and unreal puck handling. Hutson describes himself as an offensive defenseman and while there’s still the occasional defensive mishap, more often than not he makes up for it.
Miscues are expected in an offensively minded blueliner, especially when playing such a high-velocity game but by no means should he be seen as a liability. Scouts think his ability to learn and adapt quickly is like none other and could give him the edge over the competition.
Nobody expected this kind of production or jump from Hutson going into the program, especially at 17 years old and playing up against older competition. After showing out at the World Junior Championship for Team USA, he will join his brother as a Boston Terrier this fall.
2nd Round, 51st overall: Christian Humphreys, C, Univ. of Michigan
Other Considerations: Carson Wetsch (F), Lucas Pettersson (F), Luke Misa (C)
Christian Humphreys, 18, has performed well for the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) this season. Despite not being as well-known as Eiserman or Hutson, he has stood out as one of the strongest players on the team and throughout the NTDP.
Although he is not very tall, at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, he has shown great improvement as a two-way forward, especially when the puck is on his stick. When Humphreys first entered the program, expectations were low, particularly covering a complete game. However, he has since become a reliable 200-foot player and is regularly top-line center.
Humphreys’ play off the puck is most noticeable with how he positions himself in all three zones, which helps to create or prevent high-danger scoring chances. In 52 games, he produced career highs across the board, 23 goals with 35 assists for 58 points.
He has an excellent shot, but he needs to work on utilizing it better. He doesn’t always find himself in the best positions for scoring opportunities, but should see a major improvement in this department along with his overall game as he is committed to the University of Michigan in 2025-26.
Scouts have had limited opportunities to evaluate Humphreys due to some minor injury setbacks. He played only 23 games in the USHL for USNTDP Juniors. Unfortunately, his draft stock has declined because of his injury. This setback should not undermine his potential as a player at the NHL level. Humphreys has the potential to be a valuable asset to any team, most crucially, the orange and black.
3rd Round, 72nd Overall: Evan Gardner, G, Saskatoon Blades
Other Considerations: Alexander Zetterberg (F), Samuel O’Reilly (F), Teddy Stiga (LW), Pavel Moysevich (G)
Always be drafting goalies. One of the most under-appreciated positions at times, goaltenders can either win or lose a game for a team, and the Philadelphia Flyers have experienced their fair share of goalies over the last decade. So, hitting refresh on the depth chart is never a bad idea.
Rookie goaltender Evan Gardner, 18, of the Saskatoon Blades has taken over in the Western Hockey League. He has earned WHL rookie honours and is the heavy favourite to win Rookie of the Year after being named a finalist for the award while out-shinning his competition on all fronts.
The 6-foot-2 goaltender is one of the top goaltenders in his class. The hopeful, soon-to-be NHL prospect has been living with type 1 diabetes for six years and has had to make adjustments to how he approaches the game. In 30 starts, he collected 21 wins with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage with four shutouts to boot, carrying the Blades into the WHL Playoffs, where he took over as the starting netminder.
Gardner is a calm presence between the pipes, moving side to side efficiently, while taking away space in the blink of an eye and covering a lot of ground with such a big frame. He led all WHL goaltenders in goals-against average and save percentage as an 18-year-old.
After earning his spot between the pipes for the Blades following a career year with Kelowna U18, he has looked comfortable, playing beyond his years with situational awareness and a strong demeanour in the blue paint.
It is difficult to beat Gardner in close or from a distance – he tracks the puck well when moving latterly, is rarely beaten over the shoulder while taking away the top half of the net efficiently and uses the overlap to cut down the angle rather than going down into VH to prevent being beaten short side. If he continues to excel, he could be an impactful goaltender at the pro level and the first one off the draft board.
5th Round, 148th Overall: Diego Buttazzoni, C, Portland Winterhawks
Langley, B.C. native Diego Buttazzoni, 18, opened the 2023-24 campaign with a 14-game point streak, almost setting new career highs right out of the gate. He currently ranks among the top first-year NHL draft-eligible WHL skaters after scoring 29 goals, 26 assists and 55 points in 67 games.
Buttazzoni has produced more than a handful of multi-goal games during his second season with the Portland Winterhawks. When Buttazzoni is on his game, it is difficult to bring him down, he loves to compete and has the drive to win every night.
He is a deceptive transitional puck carrier and takes long strides with heavy cuts despite his 5-foot-9 frame. However, he clocks in at 183 pounds and is known to be a pest to opponents on the forecheck. Not only is he efficient with the puck but he amazes scouts with his exceptional hockey IQ, and ability to find passing lanes, creating separation and space with ease.
It is hard to find players with the vision, character and overall physique Buttazzoni naturally brings. He brings a lot to the table and still carries a lot of upside upfront wherever necessary for a projected late-round pick.
5th Round, 150th Overall: Heikki Ruohonen, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints
Likely Pick: Left-Hand Defensemen (LHD)
Other Considerations: Frankie Marrelli (D), Darels Uljanskis (D)
After committing to Harvard for the fall of 2024-25, Heikki Ruohonen, 17, had not played above the U20 level in order to keep his NCAA commitment. So, he held eligibility for the 2024 USHL Draft and was selected first overall by the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Ruohonen is an athletic power center who has looked impressive in season and on the international stage for Finland. With the U20 SM-sarja, he potted 20 goals with 27 assists and 47 points through 37 games, well over a point-per-game.
This was a massive improvement from 2022-23 and prior, unable to surpass 10 goals and 20 assists until this past year. In the World Juniors, he stayed pace with his regular season production, scoring 3 goals with 2 assists for 5 points in as many games for Finland U18.
Standing at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he carries a muscular build and strong skating ability, in combination with physicality on both ends and strong three-zone awareness. Because of his size, awareness and style of play, Ruohonen projects as a future NHL player in some capacity. Over the course of the year, his offensive skill set has improved a lot, definitely, a player who appears to be falling under the radar.
6th Round, 173rd Overall: Keets Fawcett, F, Calgary Hitmen
Other Considerations: Caleb Hadland (F), Colin Ralph (D), Nate Misskey (D)
Keets Fawcett, 18, from Grimshaw, AB, CAN is a snarly offensive threat standing at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, who will never steer away from a challenge, dropping the gloves or battling along the boards.
The Calgary Hitmen listed and signed Fawcett this past March, making the team out of training camp. The demanding forward previously played for Edge School U18 Prep where he registered 39 points (15g,24a) in 28 games played in the 2022-23 season with six points in five games during the playoffs.
Already an impactful player in his rookie season, he surpassed expectations and neared the 20-goal mark in 65 games. Playing on an extremely young Hitmen team that has very little talent throughout, Fawcett was a bright spot all season. He tailed 19 goals, 26 assists and 45 points with 41 penalty minutes.
Among first-year NHL draft-eligible WHL skaters, Fawcett found himself in the middle of the pack production-wise but draws in attention from scouts with the way he approaches and analyzes the game. He brings grit and excitement to a depleted core with six tilts on his WHL fight card. A player who would fit into the city of Philadelphia nicely.
Round 6, 177th Overall: Colin Ralph, LHD, St. Cloud State Univ.
Other Considerations: Tanner Adams (D), Ilya Protas (F)
Clocking in at 6-foot-4, 227 pounds, Colin Ralph, 18, is a burly left-handed defenseman. Typically, when a backend is that size, the weakest link to their game is skating. Although, Ralph has all the tools to become a physical offensive defenseman with heavy strides and an extremely long reach.
He is a player who could fall in the draft, unexpectedly, due to his lack of U20 experience and still being a year out of playing in the NCAA. That is not to say Ralph wouldn’t be a steal in the later rounds if he were to fall.
On the stat sheet, his game ticks all the right boxes. In his draft year, he had a career year across the board with 58 assists and 66 points in 57 games. Then played 14 games in the PHC with 15 assists through 16 games, followed up by a USHL call-up late in the season, getting a short stint of two games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Ralph is committed to St. Cloud State Univ. for 2025-26 and will likely see some more time bounces between the Saints and their affiliate St. Mary’s Prep before adventuring into the NCAA. With a towering build and extensive hockey knowledge, he plays the game the right way and holds major upside if a team is willing to be patient, which the Flyers brass are.
Round 7, 205th Overall: Finn McLaughlin, LHD, Univ. of Denver
Other Considerations: Andrei Krutov (LW/RW), Connor MacPherson (RW)
Finn McLaughlin, 18, is your characteristic two-way transitional defenseman. An Alberta-born kid from Canmore with first-class puck skills and vision, making him a valuable player in special team situations. Not an overly physical defender, but holds his own in and around the net front.
He is poetry in motion, a phenomenal skater in transition and has the ability to produce more offense than his stats suggest. When mentioning his footwork, one of the best parts of his game is his edge control. Despite being a later-round option, he is a promising prospect at a lean 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, with all the right tools throughout to make an impact.
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McLaughlin had a productive year with Canmore Eagles in the Alberta Junior Hockey League before moving on to the quicker and more physical USHL. He initially struggled with quick decision-making under pressure, but he has since adjusted well with 10 assists and 12 points in 51 games during his rookie campaign.
A long way from home but close to mountains with dual citizenship, McLaughlin will join the Pioneers at the University of Denver to begin the 2024-25 fall semester. This will be extremely important for his development, help him find some grit and reach another gear.
*All player statistics and draft rankings courtesy of eliteprospects.com
