Flyers Pick Watch: Where Will the Flyers be Drafting?

The NHL Draft is drawing closer and closer. This is the time of year when you typically see teams shoot up the standings as they compete for a playoff spot, and at the same time, teams may start to slide toward a better draft pick, like the Flyers.

Unlike the NFL, the draft order is not as simple as reverse standings. The NHL, along with the NBA and now MLB, have a draft lottery system. While the odds are determined based on the reverse standings, it does not always guarantee you draft where you are. Sometimes, you get lucky and jump up in the lottery; other times, you may fall.

Regardless, teams in search of a good draft choice will do what they need to do to get that draft pick. The Flyers fall in that category. Let’s take a look at the possibility of where the Flyers will be picking.

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Out of the Question: Picks No. 1 and 2.

We can jump the gun now unless the Flyers get some completely unexpected help from the NHL Draft lottery; picks number one and two are completely out of the question.

The San Jose Sharks (45) and Chicago Blackhawks (49) are both losing at an unbelievable clip, and it would take an unheard-of winning streak from either team to give any other club a shot at the best odds at a top-two pick.

In all seriousness, the Flyers have a better shot at making the playoffs than they do at catching up to San Jose or Chicago for a top draft pick.

Let’s move on.

It’s a Stretch, but Not Unrealistic: No. 3 Overall

Right now, the best odds for the No. 3 overall pick belong to the Nashville Predators (58), three losses ahead of the Flyers (64).

The Flyers’ chances of catching Nashville are slim. They only have one game remaining against each other. Looking ahead at Nashville’s schedule, there are only five really winnable games. Obviously, teams win games they’re not supposed to all the time, but that can go both ways.

If the Flyers want a chance to catch up with the Predators, they are going to need them to pick up a win or two in the near future.

Next Up: No. 4

Right now, the Buffalo Sabres (60) hold the best odds at the No. 4 overall draft pick. The Sabres have two games remaining against the Flyers, including the season finale. If the Flyers keep pace with the Sabres for the remainder of the year, those two games could be very important.

Like Nashville, Buffalo’s season does not get any easier as it nears its end. Wins may be hard to come by.

Oddly enough, the Sabres have actually been better in their six games after the trade deadline. They have gone 3-3-0 since March 8th.

While that is not great, it is an improvement from the season before that point. Two of those wins were stolen against Edmonton and Vegas. For now, all eyes are on Buffalo as the Flyers look to catch them in the standings.

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The Flyers sit at No. 5

Right now, the Flyers have the fifth-worst record in the NHL, giving them the best odds at the No. 5 overall pick. That spot guarantees them one of Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, Porter Martone, James Hagens, or Anton Frondell; that is how I project the top five to go.

The fifth pick is certainly not a bad spot. I am sure the Flyers would want to try and get as high as possible to make sure they get their guy (Maybe Hagens), but five is undoubtedly still a great pick.

The Flyers will also have some work to do to fend off other teams as well.

Not Far Behind, No. 6 and 7

The Flyers (64) are the sole team in that fifth-worst spot, but there are teams right in their rearview mirror.

The Seattle Kraken (65) are just one point ahead of the Flyers. Seattle won both games against the Flyers, so if they were to tie, Philly would still have that spot. However, a Flyers win (even without a Kraken loss) would put them right back at No. 6.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (66) are not much further behind. The Flyers won the season series with their cross-state rival, going 2-1-1 in four games against the Pens.

Both teams are near the bottom of the barrel, so it does not get much easier for them, either. The Penguins were streaking at one point; maybe they’ll build off that momentum. Flyers faithful hoping for a good draft pick will certainly be rooting for the Penguins (sickening) and the Kraken as the remainder of the season unfolds.

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What about No. 8 and 9?

The Flyers have a bit of a cushion between them and picks No. 8 and 9. Right now, the Anaheim Ducks (68) have the best odds at the No. 8 pick, while the Boston Bruins (69) lead the way at No. 9.

That is a four- and five-point lead, respectively, over the Flyers. It is basically a two- or three-game cushion for the Flyers. While it offers some wiggle room, it sure isn’t comfortable.

The Flyers don’t play either team on their remaining slate so that definitely helps. If you want the Flyers to maintain their current position, or at least close to it, you are rooting for both teams to win games moving forward.

Could the Flyers Slip Out of the Top 10?

I am going to take an educated guess and say that the Flyers will pick inside the top 10 in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Anything could happen; weirder things in the NHL have occurred, but the Flyers are currently six points behind the Detroit Red Wings (70) at No. 10 and the Colombus Blue Jackets (71) at No. 11. The New York Rangers and Islanders are tied in points (72) as well. With 12 games remaining, the Flyers would need to go on a substantial winning streak with either of those teams really falling off to fall out of the top 10.

That said, I think it’s safe to assume the Flyers will have a top 10 draft pick, leaning towards the top four-to-six range.

Who to Root for Going Forward

Basically, if you want the Flyers to get the best pick possible, you are rooting for every team in that No. 3 to No. 12 range to win games moving forward, with the exception of the Flyers, of course.

In the event of a game between two teams in that range, you want the team closest to Philly in the standings to win, prioritizing the teams ahead of the Flyers to preserve their spot.

Let’s use an example: If the Penguins (No. 7, 66 points) are playing the Sabres (No. 4, 60 points), you would want the Penguins to win, as that would give the Flyers more cushion in that No. 5 (64 points) spot.

However, using a different example, if the Ducks (No. 8, 68 points) are playing the Sabres (No. 4, 60 points), a Sabres win would benefit the Flyers more, helping them draw closer to that No. 4 spot.

Upcoming Pick-Watch Games in the Next Week:

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