The 2024-25 hockey season has come to an end with the Calder Cup going to the Abbotsford Canucks. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers still have six picks in the top 48 of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft on Friday and Saturday. The Flyers traded the 45th overall pick in the Trevor Zegras deal but currently hold three selections in the second round.
Here is a breakdown of their nine picks in the 2025 Draft:
- First Round: 6th (own), 22nd (from Colorado), 31st (from Edmonton)
- Second Round: 36th (own), 40th (from Anaheim), 48th (from Calgary)
- Third Round: 68th (own)
- Fourth Rounds: None
- Fifth Round: 157th (own)
- Sixth Round: 164th (own)
- Seventh Round: None
Eye on the 22nd and 31st Picks for the Flyers
Discussion is rampant about whom Philadelphia will (or should) target with the sixth overall selection of the first round. There is always a chance of a team or two going off the board. However, based on the pundit consensus and the general scuttlebutt, it sounds like Matthew Schaefer (a no-brainer at first overall), Michael Misa and Caleb Desnoyers will all be off the board within the top four picks. Other candidates for the two spots ahead of Philly: two among Anton Frondell, Brady Martin, Porter Martone and perhaps a defenseman (Radim Mrtka, Jackson Smith, Kashawn Aitcheson are the most-hyped names).
Picking sixth overall, the most oft-speculated Flyers targets are the following three: Martin, Jake O’Brien, James Hagens. If either Frondell or winger Martone slips through the top five, the Flyers might pivot. DItto if they really like someone else who is not in the general top five or six pundit favorites. My gut feeling, and that’s all it, is Martin or O’Brien even if Hagens is on the board. Do I know for sure? Absolutely not. I wouldn’t put money on it. It’s just a hunch.
In terms of the 22nd overall pick, if the Flyers would almost definitely have to trade up significantly for any of Roger McQueen, Carter Bear, Victor Eklund or the aforementioned defensemen after Schaefer.
Likewise, they might also need to move up for winger Justin Carbonneau or defensemen Logan Hensler and Cameron Reid. Meanwhile, I’m not sure if any these potential center candidates will be available outside the top 20, but all are good value picks at 22nd: Cole Reschny, Ben Kindel and Braeden Cootes.
Subsequently, it will be interesting to see if the Flyers take a goalie (perhaps Joshua Ravensbergen) with their final pick of the first round. I know some Flyers people like big London Knights defenseman Henry Brzustewicz. A third name to watch: power forward Bill Zonnon.
Flyers Preseason Schedule
The Flyers released their 2025 preseason schedule on Tuesday. Here’s the breakdown:
Snowden appears to be Phantoms frontrunner, Richardson to Nashville
Brantford Bulldogs head coach Jay McKee and Lehigh Valley Phantoms assistant coach John Snowden were the early favorites to succeed Ian Laperriere as the Phantoms’ head coach. However, it now appears that Snowden is the probable hire once the full staff is set.
Meanwhile, Luke Richardson was the oft-cited early favorite to succeed Brad Shaw as the Flyers’ associate coach and director of the defense and penalty kill. Ultimately, Philadephia hired former Washington Capitals head coach Todd Reirden for the role. On Tuesday, the Nashville Predators formally hired former Philly defenseman Richardson as an assistant.
