Final Flyers Mock NHL Draft: Final First Round Predictions

Remember when I said my last Flyers mock draft, where I mocked all 32 picks in the first round of the NHL Draft, was my final one. Well, that was a lie.

A lot has happened in such a short period of time that I believe things are ever changing. Heck, things could change between now and 7 p.m.

However, with the draft beginning in less than 24 hours, I thought I would take one last stab at the Flyers’ draft haul.

This mock draft will look a touch different from the previous ones. I won’t be sharing who I think will be picked before the Flyers pick. I will also be including some trades. This will be a little more interesting than the previous. So, with that, let’s get after it. One last Flyers mock draft, for real this time.

Read More: Final Flyers Mock Draft: Mocking the Whole First Round

Pick No. 6, James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

It’s funny how quickly things can change. In my previous set of mocks, ideal rankings, and well, pretty much everything else I have written, I have proclaimed my opinion that Porter Martone is the right pick at No. 6.

At last, my opinion changed. Well, sort of. I am starting to get the sense that my opinion will be made up for me. I don’t believe Martone will be available at No. 6, leading the Flyers to select James Hagens, which is still an absolute win.

The Islanders are going to become aggressive in their pursuit of a pick to draft Hagens. With two mid-first-round draft selections ready to be dealt, things will become interesting. However, I don’t see Chicago moving back. Even further, I don’t know if they will be able to get Utah to move. Could Mat Barzal be on the move? It’s possible, but I doubt it. With Nashville right before the Flyers, I don’t know if the Isles can jump Philly. Thus, I am predicting Hagens to be the first of the Flyers’ selections Friday night.

While he is not the biggest center, he is a dynamic playmaker with high offensive upside. I don’t need to over-explain James Hagens at this point. He is the right pick.

Read More: Flyers 2025 NHL Draft Prospects: James Hagens Analysis and Highlights

*Trade: Flyers Receive Pick No. 13 (DET) for No. 22, 40, 157*

This is the same trade I suggested the Flyers make in my final mock draft. While I originally had the Flyers using that pick to trade up for Roger McQueen, I now believe (pretty firmly) that he will be a Penguin, or gone before then.

Detroit could be swayed to trade back a few spots for added draft capital, including an early second-round pick. In all honesty, I could see Columbus at No. 14 doing something similar.

Regardless, the Flyers make the trade and move up for a future difference-maker.

Pick No. 13, Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri City (WHL) (Penn State Commit)

I mentioned yesterday in my “What would I do in the NHL Draft” story that I would not leave the first round without picking up a defenseman, nor would I make all six selections. Jackson Smith is exactly the player I had in mind.

The Flyers need a premier defensive prospect, and Jackson Smith will be just that. For some reason, there seems to be some smoke around Kashawn Aitcheson and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, with the Rangers off the board, I can see PGH going Aitcheson and McQueen back-to-back, and Schaefer and Mrtka being the other two defenders off the board prior.

That would make Smith magically available for the Flyers if they can trade up.

Smith is a smooth skater with excellent puck-moving abilities, utilizing his great skating and physicality to be a plus defender. Jackson Smith will be an elite defenseman in the league sooner rather than later, and the Flyers nab him.

Pick No. 31, Will Horcoff, C, Michigan (NCAA)

The Flyers don’t land 6’5″ center Roger McQueen, but the 6’4″ Will Horcoff is a great consolation.

Horcoff was a NHL Draft Combine riser, and could now be selected in the first round after not being given any more than a second-round thought.

The Flyers took a smaller, more skilled center earlier in the draft. They bolster their center depth with a physical monster who hits hard and has solid puck skills.

Horcoff is a big body. He can and will thrive in front of the net and has shown that with the Michigan Wolverines. More time in the NCAA will only benefit him.

The Flyers address skill down the middle early in the draft, then physicality with their last pick in Round 1.

Stay tuned for predictions for the final rounds after the first round is over.

Read More: NHL Draft Thoughts: Should the Flyers Trade Back With the Islanders?

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