NHL Draft
Flyers Mock Draft 3.0: Locked Into Their Second First-Round Pick
The Philadelphia Flyers finally have their coach, so the focus can shift to the 2025 NHL Draft. This is a pivotal one for the Flyers. With a plethora of draft picks and really only being one year back from contention, the Flyers need to capitalize on the opportunity this draft brings.
Getting a center is of utmost importance. However, if the right player falls, do the Flyers just take the best player available? Drafting for need rather than the best player available has led to the Flyers passing on players like Cole Caufield, Gabe Perrault, and Zeev Buium.
Do the Flyers continue that trend, or do they take the best player available?
Read More: Flyers Mock Draft 2.0: Did the Lottery Results Change the Plan?
The Picks Leading Into the Flyers
- NYI- Matthew Schaefer
- SJS-Michael Misa
- CHI-Caleb Desnoyers
- UTAH-Radim Mrtka
- NASH- James Hagens
Picks one and two have been fairly locked in for a long while. Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa are No. 1 and No. 2, barring anything unforeseen. There is always the chance that San Jose could do something shocking, like possibly selecting Porter Martone (Check out the latest from San Jose Hockey Now). However, I still think the Sharks stick to what has been said all along.
Things get a little tricky at No. 3. I initially had James Hagens as the player I think the Blackhawks take. But after watching Caleb Desnoyers rise up and lead his team to a QJMHL title while earning QJMHL playoff MVP, I think there is a good chance Desnoyers becomes the second forward off the board.
In the last mock, I said I could see Utah pick for need vs. best player available, solely because they could afford to do so. They already have a decent team, they don’t NEED to pick the best player available, they are just fortunate enough to be in the top-5. They need a future top-line defenseman, and I think Radim Mrtka could slide into No. 4.
With James Hagens falling into Nashville’s lap, it likely won’t be a long pick. Hagens can help bolster the future center group for the Predators, and can also spend another season at BC with his now future NHL teammate Teddy Stiga; a perfect storm for the Preds.
That leaves one obvious choice for the Flyers.
Read More: Should the Flyers Consider Trading Back?
Round 1, Pick 6: Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers have spent so long drafting for need. At times, it has cost them a premier prospect. I believe the Flyers spent (and will continue) a lot of time scouting the centers of the 2025 draft class. I think they really like Caleb Desnoyers, and who wouldn’t like Misa or Hagens?
To me, the one thing tricky about this pick is that the Flyers would have to pass on the final Tier 1 center, Anton Frondell, to make it. However, they shouldn’t pass up on the talent if the right player is there, just because he does not play center.
In my opinion, Porter Martone could be the best forward to come out of this draft class, if not the best player. He possesses a unique combination of power, skill, and a quick release on a powerful shot, and plays with tons of physicality, but is not just a bruiser. Martone is an all-around weapon.
He is also a great net-front player. If he doesn’t have the puck in the offensive zone, he knows how to get to the front of the net and screen the goalie, but is great with using his stick for deflection goals. He does it at even strength or the power play. The Flyers could greatly use both.
In 57 games for Brampton this year, Martone had 37 goals and 61 assists for 98 total points, tying him with Jake O’Brien for the 7th most in the OHL.
Martone is 18 years old and is getting a great experience just being around the Canadian Men’s Worlds team. He played in some exhibitions (on a line with Travis Konecny, too), but is just around the team now.
Martone could be NHL-ready this season, or he could be headed to the NCAA.
Regardless of where Martone plays next season, the Flyers change their strategy and just take the best player available.
Round 1, Pick 22 (Via COL): Sascha Boumedienne, LD, Boston University (NCAA)
The Avalanche pick being locked into No. 22 was a blessing for the Flyers. Even though it could have been only a spot or two back, being at 22 allows the Flyers to be within striking distance to get back into the teens.
However, there are no trades in this mock draft, so they stay put and make the pick. Sascha Boumedienne was making some noise at U18s, leading all defenseman with 14 points (1G 13A). Boumedienne was closer to the tournament lead in points (18) than he was to the next closest defenseman (8). He and Team Sweden played really well.
Boumedienne is coming off his freshman season with the Boston University Terriers, where he had 3 goals and 10 assists for 13 total points.
The production will likely improve next season, as he’ll get more of a role.
What stands out about Boumedienne is his size and speed combo, mixed with his offensive ability. He is a speedy skater who excels at running the point on the power play. There is plenty to like about Boumedienne.
If he continues to develop his offensive game and build off his appearance at U18s, Boumedienne could be a monster.
Read More: Could the Flyers Make Sense for Mitch Marner?
Round 1, Pick 30 (Via EDM): Jack Nesbitt, C, Windsor (OHL)
In my first mock draft, I had the Flyers selecting Jack Murtagh with one of their later first-round picks. However, I don’t think he makes it to 30. The Oilers making the Western Conference Finals means they will be picking somewhere in the 29-32 range.
That would give the Flyers the choice between Jack Nesbitt and Ivan Ryabkin. While I still do like Ryabkin and think he could be a late-first steal, Nesbitt’s size might be hard to pass up on, which is why I see the Flyers going in that direction.
Nesbitt is a 6’4″ center with 64 points (25G, 39A) in 65 games for the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL last season. After taking a winger, followed by a defenseman with their earlier firsts, the Flyers prioritize getting a center with their final pick in the first round.
Nesbitt uses his size to play a physical, powerful style of hockey, but I would say he is more than just a power forward. He is a smart player who finds himself in the right areas of the entire sheet, not just the offensive zone. Nesbitt is a responsible player, but also has a bag full of offensive tools.
A powerful and deceptive shot with a quick release is a scary thing for opposing teams. Giving that to a 6’4″ center is even scarier.
Nesbitt could be a higher pick, but his playmaking and consistent turnovers hold him back a bit. Nesbitt will not be a day one solution, but he could develop into a fantastic middle-six power center. Sitting at 30, he would be an excellent pick for the Flyers.
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I don’t think martone makes its pass CHI or Utah . They both love size and CHI would love him next to Bernard , I could see Utah picking him but also going for a D. I could see the preds taking any 1 of the centers but could easily take des or frondell too. I think Frondells up side is right there with Martone, seeing he played against men and with a chance to stick at center you don’t pass that up.I would love boum. If we get hagens I can see them taking a bigger center with the last pick, if not I think you have to go upside and go with Ryabkin we played it safe enough last year, this year should be about trade ups and upsides.