How To Watch NHL Draft That Flyers Have Been Waiting For

The Philadelphia Flyers have two first-round draft picks and 10 picks overall heading into tonight’s NHL Draft in Nashville.

It’s a real chance for Flyers general manager Daniel Briere to continue rebuilding his team. The Flyers have the 7 and 22 picks in a draft that scouts say is brimming with talent, especially among the forwards.

Briere has been busy this spring after his announcement in March that the Flyers were in a rebuild. In June, he traded veterans Ivan Provorov and Kevin Hayes. Veteran Tony DeAngelo also is expected to be traded next month as soon as league rules complications can be worked out.

Briere said last week he continues to try to acquire more draft picks. Philadelphia Flyers president Keith Jones was asked on 94-WIP on Monday whether the Flyers were trading for draft picks or players.

“It’s a little bit of both, we’re trying to thread that needle,” Jones said. “But the draft choices, the higher picks, would definitely be a priority for us.”

Wednesday’s first round begins at 7 p.m. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Flyers try to strike a deal before the Blackhawks kick off the draft by taking phenom Connor Bedard.

The first three picks seem set in stone — Bedard to Chicago; Adam Fantilli to Anaheim; Leo Carlsson to Columbus. 

The real mystery is Russian Matvei Michkov. Which team will take him? San Jose at 4? Montreal at 5? Teams are expected to explore trading up to draft him, including the Flyers.

The player most frequently aligned with the Flyers in mock drafts is Ryan Leonard at 7. Leonard is a physical forward with a scorer’s touch. He is planning to attend Boston College in the fall, where he will be teammates with the Flyers’ 2022 top pick Cutter Gauthier.

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NHL Draft At A Glance

• What: NHL Draft
• Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
• When: Wednesday, 7 p.m. (Round 1); Thursday, 11 a.m. (Rounds 2-7)
• TV: ESPN/ESPN+ (Round 1); NHL Network (Rounds 2-7)

Flyers’ Picks:

Round 1

No. 7

No. 22. Acquired from Kings via Blue Jackets in Ivan Provorov trade.

Round 3

No. 87. Acquired from Rangers in Justin Braun trade.

No. 95. Acquired from Panthers in Claude Giroux trade.

Round 4

No. 103

No. 120. Acquired in Derick Brassard trade

Round 5

No. 135

Round 6

No. 167

No. 172. Acquired in Patrick Brown trade.

Round 7

No. 199

Draft Order (Round 1):

1. Chicago Blackhawks

2. Anaheim Ducks

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

4. San Jose Sharks

5. Montreal Canadiens

6. Arizona Coyotes

7. Flyers

8. Washington Capitals

9. Detroit Red Wings

10. St. Louis Blues

11. Vancouver Canucks

12. Arizona Coyotes (from Ottawa Senators)

13. Buffalo Sabres

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

15. Nashville Predators

16. Calgary Flames

17. Detroit Red Wings (from New York Islanders via Vancouver Canucks)

18. Winnipeg Jets

19. Chicago Blackhawks (from Tampa Bay Lightning)

20. Seattle Kraken

21. Minnesota Wild

22. Flyers (from Los Angeles Kings via Columbus Blue Jackets)

23. New York Rangers

24. Nashville Predators (from Edmonton Oilers)

25. St. Louis Blues (from Toronto Maple Leafs)

26. San Jose Sharks (from New Jersey Devils)

27. Colorado Avalanche

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston Bruins via Washington Capitals)

29. St. Louis Blues (from Dallas Stars via New York Rangers)

30. Carolina Hurricanes

31. Montreal Canadiens (from Florida Panthers)

32. Vegas Golden Knights

Philly Hockey Now Draft Prep:

National Hockey Now’s Round 1 mock draft.

Flyers well positioned in a well-stocked draft.

Opinion: Flyers want to draft Matvei Michkov and are willing to trade up to get him.

Ryan Leonard at 7?

Defenseman David Reinbacher at 7?

Ryan Leonard or Matvei Michkov at 7?

Also, Flyers release 2023-24 schedule.

Flyers have struck gold in previous picks at 22 — and failed, too.

Around The National Hockey Network:

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins expect captain Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci to retire this summer.

Buffalo Hockey Now: Sabres defenseman Owen Power finishes third in Calder Trophy race.

Calgary Hockey Now: Flames’ Mikael Backlund wins King Clancy Memorial Trophy, faces uncertain future in Calgary.

Chicago Hockey Now: It’s Happy Connor Bedard Day in Chicagoland.

Colorado Hockey Now: Alex Newhook trade to Canadiens could be start of something big for Avalanche.

Detroit Hockey Now: Left wing Colby Barlow could be on Red Wings’ radar for the 9 pick.

Florida Hockey Now: Could the Panthers trade Anthony Duclair?

Los Angeles Hockey Now: Kings acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois from Jets in exchange for Gabe Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a 2024 second-round pick.

Montreal Hockey Now: Canadiens wisely kept their distance in Pierre-Luc Dubois negotiations.

Nashville Hockey Now: Predators re-sign defenseman Jake Livingstone.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Devils acquire Tyler Toffoli for Yegor Sharangovich and a draft pick.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: For Penguins, Zach Benson is small risk, high reward.

San Jose Hockey Now: Sharks trade for Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood.

Vegas Hockey Now: Golden Knights don’t win Cup unless the following happens.

Washington Hockey Now: Capitals host Penguins to open season.