NHL Draft
Exploring Trade Up Options for the Flyers
After Monday’s draft lottery, the Philadelphia Flyers are now in possession of the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
After finishing with the fourth-worst record in the NHL, getting the sixth overall pick was quite the disappointment. The Flyers will still be able to select one of James Hagens, Porter Martone, Anton Frondell, and Caleb Desnoyers at No. 6, assuming Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa go first and second.
However, the Flyers will not be able to pick their ideal target. Instead, they’ll be left with the prospect not wanted by the five teams before them. There is a chance that the Flyers’ preferred player slips to them at No. 6, but that is unlikely.
If the Flyers want to get their preferred player, they’ll have to make a move up in the draft. That said, let’s explore some possible trade-up opportunities.
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Would the Sharks be Willing to Trade No. 2 to the Flyers?
A move up in the draft order could be costly for the Flyers. I do not see a world where the Islanders move off the No. 1 pick, so eyes shift to number two. The Sharks picked at No. 1 last year and added Macklin Celebrini.
The Sharks have a solid young core, and with the slotted second overall pick being a center, Michael Misa, the Sharks could easily be persuaded to trade back. The Flyers would have to cough up a pretty penny to do so. Despite it being a four-pick jump, the jump from No. 6 to No. 2 will be costly.
The Flyers will have to deal No. 6, along with one of the Avalanche or Oilers picks, and maybe even one of the later second-round picks the Flyers own. A sweetener may need to be added, but for Michael Misa, it would be worth it.
If the Sharks Don’t Budge, Who Else Would?
Now, let’s say the Flyers are unable to get the Sharks to trade, the next available pick would be Chicago at No. 3. The Blackhawks won’t trade their pick, so all eyes shift to Utah at No. 4.
The fourth pick is much more attainable for the Flyers. The team that still does not have a name (Hockey Club) will likely want a defenseman. Given the amount of talented young forwards on the team, a blueliner makes sense. At No. 4, they would be reaching for the second defenseman off the board (Radim Mrtka?), so they could be convinced to trade back.
The two-pick jump would be far less costly for the Flyers. Flyers GM Danny Briere may be able to make the jump without having to cough up an extra first-round pick. With four second-round picks, it would be an easy decision for the Flyers to make. This move would secure the opportunity to land one of James Hagens or Anton Frondell.
The jump up to the second overall pick to select Michael Misa would be the flashier move. However, the jump to four for Hagens or Frondell would be much easier and more responsible.
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A Late Teens Jump
The Flyers’ No. 6 overall spot is not the only pick they can move up from. Philadelphia also owns the first-round picks of the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers. Both picks are projected to fall in the early-to-mid 20s, assuming the Oilers do not make the conference finals.
There are a few teams that could have multiple picks between No. 11 and No. 22. To start, the Montreal Canadiens own picks No. 16 (via CGY) and No. 17. While picking back-to-back is a luxury, it would not be a shock to see one of the two become available at the right offer.
While it is not a jump up from No. 6 to No. 4, a similar compensation could be offered from the Flyers to move up from one of their later firsts to 16 or 17. The Flyers would likely need to throw in an extra sweetener pick to secure that.
The Calgary Flames could also be on trade-back watch. They own the New Jersey Devils’ pick, which won’t move from 18. They also have the Florida Panthers’ pick, which right now is No. 22, but if Florida makes the conference finals, it becomes pick No. 29 at best.
If the Panthers don’t make the conference finals, the Flames could be a team to watch.
Will a Trade Up Even Be Necessary for the Flyers?
The Flyers could make no attempts to move up in the draft order, and while they may not get the flashy prospect they had hoped for with their first pick, they’ll still get a solid pick.
Assuming one and two don’t change, the Flyers will still have a crack at Hagens, Frondell, Martone, and Desnoyers, four quality players. They’ll still be able to get a good player while keeping their picks to make other moves.
If the Flyers decide to trade up, it will be to get their pick of Hagens, Frondell, Martone, or Desnoyers. If they don’t, it shows that they are confident in rolling the dice and taking the player that falls to them.
No matter what the Flyers choose to do, they will get a good player.
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I would do whatever it takes to get #2 for Misa. Much better than taking whoever drops to them at #6. Two firsts and the Anaheim pick at 40 should get it done. Or trade #6, #40 and York
#6, #40 and York sounds good to me
Rather trade York, Avs pick, plus the Flyer’s first round pick in 2026, (protect 5) for Mason McTavish.
I don’t really see Grier moving 2 for picks, York would be a good start but I have a hard time seeing this trade happen
Craig Button is saying that.. Brady Martin should go at 6.
Yeah, saw that. Definitely a beneficiary of U18s. Read that some GMs don’t expect him after top 10, but 6 seems like a reach.
William – Off topic, but have you heard any injury update on Parker Gahagen for the Phantoms? I’m assuming he left mid-period in Game 3 vs. Hershey on Sunday because of injury.
If Gahagen is not ready for the game Friday night, might we see a Carson Bjarnason appearance (even if just in a backup capacity to Cal Peterson)? I believe Bjarnason was listed as one of the scratches before Sunday’s game.
Mike
Have not heard anything on Gahagen. Game 4 being on Friday certainly helps as it gives him some extra time to get back to healthy enough to play.
Bjarnason was a scratch in Game 3, but is Gahagen cannot go, he will backup Peterson for sure.
Thoughts on Jackson Smith?
I’m no scout or expert but I’ve heard some buzz
Solid defensive prospect. I think he’ll be the third or fourth defenseman off the board depending on Boumedienne.
Wishful thinking at best. This doesn’t happen in hockey. Nobody trades out of the top 5. Why would a GM ever even consider taking that risk if there isn’t a proven superstar coming back to them? Sorry guys. Just have to hope a guy we like falls to 6 which in reality, is much much more likely to happen than moving up.
I agree 100%. With Schaefer and Martone being the best at their positions, I think they’ll both go in the top five, in whatever order. That leaves the one of the top four centers available.
Misa, Hagens, Frondell, and Desnoyers. Knowing that trades rarely happen in the top ten, take the one who is left, which also keeps us from McQueen and the back injury thing. Then, use the later picks or the second rounders to try to get back into the middle teens, if they have someone targeted there, where it is more likely to make a trade. Just a thought.
So that probably means Desnoyers drops to us at 6, unless DB can make a deal with Grier for the rights to draft Misa at 2.
Romus’s suggestion about MacTavish would be awesome if DB uses the threat of an offer sheet.
No matter how we cut it, an infusion of upgraded talent is needed through free agency, offer sheet possibilities and the draft.
Grier has already said he would be willing to move the pick, before the lotto. So it isn’t wishfull thinking at all. It’s fact. He is open to moving the pick.
Do you think pick #6, Bonk, plus maybe another pick for pick #2 might realistically intrigue San Jose if Schaeffer goes #1? Bonk plays with Dickinson (San Jose prospect) in London. Heavy price but for Philly i think it’d be easier to find another Bonk type than Misa type. Imo just picks won’t entice teams enough at the top to trade down.
Should be more than enough. With Bonks familiarity with Dickinson too, it makes it even more favorable. I don’t see the Flyers coughing him up though.