NHL Draft Expert Raises Concern Over Flyers Rebuild; Is it Time to Sound the Alarms?

The Philadelphia Flyers have been in the midst of a rebuild for a number of years, drafting prospects such as Matvei Michkov, Porter Martone, Oliver Bonk, Jack Nesbitt, Jett Luchanko, and *cough* Cutter Gauthier in the first rounds going back to the 2022 NHL draft.

Since 2022, the Flyers have had three top-7 draft picks in four years, and have picked five times in the top 15 in the past four drafts. In fact, just one of their six first-round picks in the last four drafts has come after the 13th-overall pick. That was Oliver Bonk, who was selected 22nd overall in 2023.

With those picks, the Flyers have drafted two guys who have top-line potential: Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone. Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt, both centers, were drafted in the top 13, but neither is tracking to be a top-line center. Oliver Bonk has been delayed by injury, but to me, still has plenty of top-four potential. And finally, we all know how the Cutter Gauthier pick ended.

The Flyers as a team are trending in the right direction. However, without a clear cornerstone at two pivotal positions (1C & 1D), some experts have expressed concern about the Flyers. First, it was Frank Seravalli; now, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic has made a public voice of concern for the Flyers’ future.

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers News; Major NHL Trades; All-Star Teams

WATCH: NHL Draft expert Scott Wheeler expresses his concern for the Flyers’ rebuild

“I am worried about the Flyers, and what the Flyers rebuild looks like,” said The Athletic’s NHL Draft and prospect expert Scott Wheeler on The Athletic Hockey Show.

“Porter Martone is awesome. Matvei [Michkov] is still going to be awesome. They’ve used two top [13] picks on [Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt] two kids that might be third-line centers for them. That’s if Jack Nesbitt becomes a center in the league. Which, I am not convinced at this stage that Jack Nesbitt will become a center in the league,” said Wheeler.

The draft expert concluded by saying, “If neither of those guys becomes an actually impactful, move-the-needle-type, [the Flyers] are still so, so, so far away.”

Wheeler is not the only one to express his concern. Former Flyer and current broadcaster Chris Pronger also took to social media to share his thoughts.

So, is Wheeler right? Is it time to sound the alarms regarding the Flyers’ rebuild?

Read More: Porter Martone Dominates in First Game After World Juniors

Addressing where the Flyers’ future is

Would having a bona fide 1C or 1D in the pipeline be nice? Absolutely. Any team’s future looks brighter with a prospect like that in the organization. However, that doesn’t mean the Flyers don’t have talent.

Between Michkov, Martone, Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, and even Trevor Zegras, if not moved back to center, the Flyers are LOADED on the wing. So, defensively responsible centers that can set up play, like Luchanko, even Jack Berglund, and Christian Dvorak, can find success with the team’s wingers.

Specifically regarding Luchanko, I’d love to see him be more aggressive offensively. However, as of now, I still see him as a future second-line center for this team. He still has tons of potential. Through 22 OHL games between Guelph and Brantford, Luchanko has 5 goals and 28 points.

Luchanko has yet to show any real offense in the NHL, but defensively, he has proven he can keep up at ages 18 and 19.

As for Nesbitt, he will be more of a project. That is understandable. However, I do think it’s a bit premature to tab him as someone who will top out as a third-line center. Checking in on his play in Windsor this season, he has 12 goals and 36 points in 24 games. The 6’5″ centerman plays with speed, strength, and has a good touch.

Nesbitt’s skating will need some work. Overall, he is a really raw prospect who, in my mind, could really benefit from some time in the NCAA. I hear Wheeler’s “if he is a center” comment, and I think of Tage Thompson.

This is not a comparison of the two players. However, they are both bigger, more physical skaters with similar tendencies away from the puck. Thompson still makes being an NHL center work. In reality, I think the fact that Nesbitt is more of a two-way player is more reason that he can and will be an NHL center one day. Top line? That is still too far away to say. But it’s certainly too early to say he’ll cap out as a third-line center.

Should the alarms be sounding?

So, let’s get back to the question at hand. Is it time to sound the alarms on the Flyers’ rebuild?

Personally, I lean towards no. If the Flyers can land someone like Tynan Lawrence, Viggo Bjork, or even Chase Reid in the 2026 NHL Draft, that should put all concerns to rest. The Flyers have done a good job adding talent to their pipeline, and I really do beleive that Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone are and will be franchise cornerstones.

With that, I think the Flyers can contend with more defensively responsible centermen. With the talent on the wings, their centers just need to create play, not necessarily score.

Even then, I don’t think the Flyers HAVE to tank to find a potential 1C in the draft. Again, Viggo Bjork and Tynan Lawrence would be nice. But with players like Oliver Suvanto, Yegor Shilov, and Jack Hextall all being options likely in the teens to early 20s, the Flyers can still find someone in the teens. There are even guys like JP Hurlbert and Ryan Roobroeck, who are at risk of being pushed to the wing, but are high-end producing centers in juniors that could be available.

The one thing I do think the Flyers should find is a No. 1 defenseman prospect. Outside of the top, let’s say eight, I don’t think you’ll find that in this draft. To me, that is what the Flyers are missing in their prospect pool

So, is the lack of a 1D or 1C in the pipeline less than ideal? Sure. But to say that the Flyers’ top center prospects are third-liners is a bit of an overstatement, and the team is surely not as far away as some may say.

So, for now, let’s silence those alarms.

Read More: Flyers Prospect Jack Berglund Brings Home the Gold at 2026 World Juniors