I think there is a VERY OUTSIDE chance Michkov could fall to us because of the reasons stated earlier. The three year window, the Russian situation, etc. But I wouldn't bet a dollar on it.

I like Fantilli's size a LOT. All things being equal that is the decider for me. A guy that can skate like that, with that offensive skill, and also that size...its just too much to pass up.

I predict it goes Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov in that order.
- MBFlyerfan

I agree on your prediction. So who are the next 4 picks and who would you want at 7?

Kuzmenko came over in the offseason, just signed for 2 more years in Vancouver as well.
- TobyFlenderson

Thank you

Its fun isnt it? Researching these guys and seeing where they end up? Watching them as their careers progress? I love it. More so than any other sport.
- MBFlyerfan

Especially as a Flyers fan. There's really nothing to look forward to except the draft.

I agree on your prediction. So who are the next 4 picks and who would you want at 7?
- Flybynight88

I would love Zach Benson but I don't think he gets that far.

I am leaning toward Oliver Moore at 7. I think the Flyers need more burners and that guy may be the burniest of them all. The guy can flat out fly. He also seems like a Flyers "type" player in that he plays a strong overall game. So I could see the Flyers picking him for that reason.

I would love Zach Benson but I don't think he gets that far.

I am leaning toward Oliver Moore at 7. I think the Flyers need more burners and that guy may be the burniest of them all. The guy can flat out fly. He also seems like a Flyers "type" player in that he plays a strong overall game. So I could see the Flyers picking him for that reason.
- MBFlyerfan

Benson huh? Shot seems awful, clearly more of a playmaker but he scares me. Could be Gaudreau but he might be nothing at the next level

So are we really gonna knowingly Sergei Bobrovsky, Carter Hart? Like with Bob, we didn’t know what we had. With Carter Hart, we do know we are have.

I would love Zach Benson but I don't think he gets that far.

I am leaning toward Oliver Moore at 7. I think the Flyers need more burners and that guy may be the burniest of them all. The guy can flat out fly. He also seems like a Flyers "type" player in that he plays a strong overall game. So I could see the Flyers picking him for that reason.
- MBFlyerfan

I'd also like to see the flyers get some speed and they do love their USDP players.

I would love Zach Benson but I don't think he gets that far.

I am leaning toward Oliver Moore at 7. I think the Flyers need more burners and that guy may be the burniest of them all. The guy can flat out fly. He also seems like a Flyers "type" player in that he plays a strong overall game. So I could see the Flyers picking him for that reason.
- MBFlyerfan

If Benson's not there I would be happy with either Moore or Leonard. Leonard competes his ass off and we know the Flyers love that.

Benson huh? Shot seems awful, clearly more of a playmaker but he scares me. Could be Gaudreau but he might be nothing at the next level
- ClaudeFather

Odd, he seems to have a really high floor to me. A lot of stuff he does is very projectable to the NHL. Such a high compete level too.

From what I read the Fedotov issue had mainly to do with the issue that the owner of his Russian team is close friends with Putin and that the owner wanted to punish him for leaving. They say he had signed a 3 year deal. His team, CSKA Moscow had ties to the Russian army so he technically was property of the

Russian Army.

He appealed but is forced to serve 1 year.

I read it to be a loosely similar situation to if a player played football for West Point and was obligated to serve a certain amount of time in the Army before he turned pro.

I could see him coming over next year after his obligation is up.

It was the way they held him to his obligation that was somewhat shady IMO. It just seems more dire considering the current situation with the war.
- MBFlyerfan

Politics. The Kaprizov situation had some similarities. Kaprizov said that he was given an exemption from military service.Russian players are routinely given exemptions. Supposedly, it’s verbal nothing contractual. Easy to see how a government can wield that against someone.

So here’s the question. At #2 who does anyone here take? Does the Russian (who I’ve read many think might be as good as Bedard) go at #2 or one Fantilli or Carlson? I only know what I’ve read and many on here seem to actually follow Junior, College and international hockey so I’d defer. If this Russian kid is truly supposed to be that good do you take the plunge at #2 or pass. If so, when should he go. That’s gonna be an interesting reality in a few months.
- mikeyo27

Fantilli is my pick. I like his size and shoot first mentality. I also loved the way he played at the WJCs this year, seemed like a threat every time he eas on the ice, and plays Flyers hockey too, loves to hit people.

Odd, he seems to have a really high floor to me. A lot of stuff he does is very projectable to the NHL. Such a high compete level too.
- Tomahawk

Lot of triangle dangles, lot of odd man rushes, can’t score from very far out at all. All things that happen less and less in the NHL. Unless he can really make plays at the next level, I see him having a hard time. He is obviously very skilled but I can see it going either way and that is a tough top 7 pick for me

Yes he may fall a few spots for all the reasons you mentioned. But you also stated he would fall out of the first round. That is where your opinion went off the rails.
- MBFlyerfan

I didn't say he would, I say there was a chance he would. Remember, once a player like Michkov, with the all the questions around him, starts falling it can go on for a while. Yes its highly unlikely but teams may know something we don't about the availablility of Russian players with all the problems going on.

So what do you think? 2 yrs with what AAV? Is Chytil's contract a potential frame work for Frost on a longer deal?
- Trox88

It will be a 2 year bridge deal. Even thiough Frost has picked it up as the season has gone along, its pretty clear to me Torts does not trust him yet in terms of his consistency so it will be a 2 year deal, similar to Sanheim.

Lot of triangle dangles, lot of odd man rushes, can’t score from very far out at all. All things that happen less and less in the NHL. Unless he can really make plays at the next level, I see him having a hard time. He is obviously very skilled but I can see it going either way and that is a tough top 7 pick for me
- ClaudeFather

Most NHL goals are scored from in tight tho. You don't have to shoot like Laine to be a star.

It's all about his off puck positioning, his reads, his misdirection and manipulation skills, his passing vision and his puck hunt. There's a lot of Brayden Point to his game.

Your problem is you don't know how to moderate your hot takes.

You could say something like... Michkov may drop out of the top-4 in the draft. That would be a little spicy but still grounded in reality.

But you have to go and say wild poop like "I don't see Michkov going in the 1st round" and that "...actually he is below an AHL player" when you admit you haven't even watched him play and you obviously don't understand the difference between his situation and Fedotov's.


- Tomahawk

Michkov has not played one professional game in the AHL yet, so technically he is not even an AHL player. You may think he has the skill to be one, but how many Russian players have we seen go really high in the draft and turn out to be nothing? More than their share. I will withhold my judgement until I see him actually playing for an NHL team, which as of now may never happen.

I would love Zach Benson but I don't think he gets that far.

I am leaning toward Oliver Moore at 7. I think the Flyers need more burners and that guy may be the burniest of them all. The guy can flat out fly. He also seems like a Flyers "type" player in that he plays a strong overall game. So I could see the Flyers picking him for that reason.
- MBFlyerfan

they apparently agree with you

https://www.sportskeeda.c...spect-report-oliver-moore

Most NHL goals are scored from in tight tho. You don't have to shoot like Laine to be a star.

It's all about his off puck positioning, his reads, his misdirection and manipulation skills, his passing vision and his puck hunt. There's a lot of Brayden Point to his game.
- Tomahawk

if his release is quick and accurate, he will score in close, it doesn't have to be overpowering

I think there is a VERY OUTSIDE chance Michkov could fall to us because of the reasons stated earlier. The three year window, the Russian situation, etc. But I wouldn't bet a dollar on it.

I like Fantilli's size a LOT. All things being equal that is the decider for me. A guy that can skate like that, with that offensive skill, and also that size...its just too much to pass up.

I predict it goes Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov in that order.
- MBFlyerfan

Curious- did you watch the PSU-Mich tournament game and see that goal Fantilli scored from a tight angle ? It was like he found space where there was not an opening..I would love to see the ping pong balls or however Bettman decides this put Fantilli in the Flyers reach.

Especially as a Flyers fan. There's really nothing to look forward to except the draft.
- Tomahawk

I am looking forward to Frost hitting 20!

Michkov has not played one professional game in the AHL yet, so technically he is not even an AHL player. You may think he has the skill to be one, but how many Russian players have we seen go really high in the draft and turn out to be nothing? More than their share. I will withhold my judgement until I see him actually playing for an NHL team, which as of now may never happen.
- jd250

Keep talking out of your ass lol.

Michkov has not played one professional game in the AHL yet, so technically he is not even an AHL player. You may think he has the skill to be one, but how many Russian players have we seen go really high in the draft and turn out to be nothing? More than their share. I will withhold my judgement until I see him actually playing for an NHL team, which as of now may never happen.
- jd250

lol - keep digging

Most NHL goals are scored from in tight tho. You don't have to shoot like Laine to be a star.

It's all about his off puck positioning, his reads, his misdirection and manipulation skills, his passing vision and his puck hunt. There's a lot of Brayden Point to his game.
- Tomahawk

Lol go watch Points WhL highlights, plays at a different pace and tenacity. Maybe the kid will be good, idk, just doesn’t seem to be a sure fire thing for me

Keep talking out of your ass lol.
- Tomahawk

he really is our heads rent free, he has to be paid by hockey buzz to say stuff that gets a response.

Lol go watch Points WhL highlights, plays at a different pace and tenacity.
- ClaudeFather

Are you sure you're watching film of Point pre-draft? Because he definitely didn't turn a corner until he started working with Barb Underhill on his skating.

Benson is way ahead of where Point was pre-draft. Not saying he'll become the better player or anything... but there's a reason why he's in the conversation at 5OA and Point was a 3rd-round pick.