Leonard is pretty skilled tho. Even more skilled than Cutter. One of the few times that a guy with a ton of Flyers intangibles is also a hell of prospect.

With that said, I wouldn't take him over Benson or Michkov. Those two just have more pure upside.
- Tomahawk

Admittedly, I have never seen Leonard play. However, the way he is being described sounds a lot like McLeod of the NJD. And, while he was a 1st round pick, he is still only good enough to play on the 4th line of a very good team......

I read this about Leonard:

"Leonard's play got better as the season went on, and he was outstanding at the World U-18s, scoring eight goals in seven games, including the overtime winner in the gold-medal game. But more than the skill, Leonard (6-foot, 192) plays a feisty game, reminiscent of Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers. "
- J35Bacher

And with that I am sold. I want a matthew Tkachuk

Admittedly, I have never seen Leonard play. However, the way he is being described sounds a lot like McLeod of the NJD. And, while he was a 1st round pick, he is still only good enough to play on the 4th line of a very good team......
- mr4tno

On the surface there are some similarities but Mcleod never scored 50-goals in junior nor did he ever put up the kind of U-18 numbers that Leonard has. Production doesn't always translate but it's still a big part of the picture.

With 41.8 million in cap space next season to go along with 2 firsts, 4 seconds, and a third in this upcoming draft. I predict they will be light years ahead of us by the end of next season.

Add to that 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds in 2024.

Oh and also add to that 2 firsts in 2025.

Oh and also add to that only 2 players signed past next season.

They have the picks AND the cap space to be relevant almost immediately.

Its depressing in every way.
- MBFlyerfan

shines a bright light on the flyers incompetence.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...hawks-pick-connor-bedard/

On the surface there are some similarities but Mcleod never scored 50-goals in junior nor did he ever put up the kind of U-18 numbers that Leonard has. Production doesn't always translate but it's still part of the picture.
- Tomahawk

I agree. Also think Leonard's projected offensive ceiling is higher than McLeod's was at the same age.

it makes a Hart trade seem less imminent IF what I hear is true.
- black_francis

They have no intention of trading Hart.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-top-16-mock-draft-what-happens-after-the-blackhawks-pick-connor-bedard/
- Hextall271

would be nice if drafted someone that can score

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-top-16-mock-draft-what-happens-after-the-blackhawks-pick-connor-bedard/
- Hextall271

dont see the flyers taking a swiss dman at all. As mentioned they will want a safe N/A player for Dany boys first pick.

Where have you gone Kevin Romy?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/nhl-top-16-mock-draft-what-happens-after-the-blackhawks-pick-connor-bedard/
- Hextall271

Reinbacher also would be a nice pick.

Nate Danielson, Brandon Wheat King, three-zone competitor.... can the Flyers resist?

He's a beast in so many ways... drives play, quality shot, extremely high puck hunt, goes to the high traffic areas, processes quickly and has good instincts... and he LOVES to hit people.

Only clear downside is that he's not the strongest passer at the moment but that can be worked on. Marchand wasn't the greatest either when he first broke into the league but now that's an area of strength for him.

I'd be very comfortable with Leonard at #7. I'd personally take him over Smith.
- Tomahawk

I'm honestly not as high on Smith as others are. I'd rather have Leonard, as well

I'm honestly not as high on Smith as others are. I'd rather have Leonard, as well
- Bob Habib

Smith's skating is kinda iffy and he has lazy streaks. Also not sure everything he does will translate to a pro game... he's a bit dangly and loose. He's got the highest pure upside on his line, but it wouldn't surprise me if he ultimately ended up having a worse career than Leonard and Perreault.

Smith's skating is kinda iffy and he has lazy streaks. Also not sure everything he does will translate to a pro game... he's a bit dangly and loose. He's got the highest pure upside on his line, but it wouldn't surprise me if he ultimately ended up having a worse career than Leonard and Perreault.
- Tomahawk

You watch these guys consistently huh

But you will have everyone involved with the "Flyers roundtable" discussing how it wasn't realistic for the Flyers to do what Chicago did. How that approach is something to be sneered at. Its a belief that's downright cancerous, and held in many parts of this organization.

It's obsolete, and pathetic. Anything to keep the country club members employed though. Don't want to question an ongoing failed strategy.

Already, with all due respect to Bill, we have a team writer stating how it would behoove the team to get a player that fits John Tortorella hockey. In the year 2023.

Its disgusting.
- FlyerFan3260

Torts isn’t the future of the flyers no matter how many of you make him out to be. He’s doing what needs to be done during the years we are irrelevant = setting a compete standard and weeding out guys he doesn’t see as competitors. We won’t be relevant while he’s here. You need the sandpaper before you finish. Being frustrated with Torts is wasted breath - the whole idea of Torts working for this team is the caveat that he is short term and only dealing with “now”

They have no intention of trading Hart.
- hello it's me 2050

Today I’d agree but we’d both be wrong if we are trying to say it hasn’t been discussed

So the NHL rewards a team that
- purposefully tanks
- supports pedophiles
- covers up sexual assault

(frank) the NHL I want us to bring back goon squads and sign 4 lines of players like Ryan Reaves
- 2Real

I'm not too sure why you think Philly should have won the lottery? You had a miniscule chance, and if you had your pathetic franchise would have blown it anyway like they did with the Nolan Patrick pick. Passed on Makar and Heiskenen and Pettersen. Not too smart

Torts isn’t the future of the flyers no matter how many of you make him out to be. He’s doing what needs to be done during the years we are irrelevant = setting a compete standard and weeding out guys he doesn’t see as competitors. We won’t be relevant while he’s here. You need the sandpaper before you finish. Being frustrated with Torts is wasted breath - the whole idea of Torts working for this team is the caveat that he is short term and only dealing with “now”
- black_francis

It is a false narrative that the Flyers were a team that lacked sandpaper, grit, competitors, etc.

A complete myth.

So the NHL rewards a team that
- purposefully tanks
- supports pedophiles
- covers up sexual assault

(frank) the NHL I want us to bring back goon squads and sign 4 lines of players like Ryan Reaves
- 2Real

Yes. He’s available and wants two years just like ND did. 1:75 Mil last year. Dirty deeds done dirt cheap.

Torts is not involved in the Draft. However, it's pretty likely he'll still be here come 2024-25. Leonard is projected to play one NCAA season then turn pro. And if Torts is here, he will assess and use (or not use) every player by his own assessment -- not Danny's, not Brent's, no one else's. So it behooves the Flyers to draft a player the coach would likely be inclined to take to.
- bmeltzer

That’s a terrible take on how to select a draft pick. Torts won’t be here past 2025 but the 7OA pick in a deep draft should be here for a decade or more. You take BPA with that pick, period. The coach is irrelevant.

That’s a terrible take on how to select a draft pick. Torts won’t be here past 2025 but the 7OA pick in a deep draft should be here for a decade or more. You take BPA with that pick, period. The coach is irrelevant.
- BiggE

I totally disagree with it being the case at all though. When the scouts and Gm are deciding on players in that range, no one is brining up Torts

Torts is not involved in the Draft. However, it's pretty likely he'll still be here come 2024-25. Leonard is projected to play one NCAA season then turn pro. And if Torts is here, he will assess and use (or not use) every player by his own assessment -- not Danny's, not Brent's, no one else's. So it behooves the Flyers to draft a player the coach would likely be inclined to take to.
- bmeltzer

It would only make sense to get input into drafting since it’s the coach who determines ice time and line assignments. That’s not saying the coach should make the final call but definitely have his opinion heard.

It would be a huge risk to pick any Russian players since a potential backup goalkeeper couldn’t get out of the country let alone a star player.

It is a false narrative that the Flyers were a team that lacked sandpaper, grit, competitors, etc.

A complete myth.
- StepfordSam

I don’t mean the style they played. I’m not talking about “jam”

I mean the idea of having torts come in, strip away any misconception that any one player (Hayes) “owns” the locker room. Complete opposite of what’s going on in Calgary where the inmates run the asylum.

Maybe I’m wrong - but I don’t see too many instances where a team is successful after a full-on coach mutiny. How many coaches will Kadri out-muscle? Will it work for them? I don’t have the answer to that. But I can’t come up with another example where that worked .

Reinbacher also would be a nice pick.

Nate Danielson, Brandon Wheat King, three-zone competitor.... can the Flyers resist?
- Tomahawk

But not at pick 7 and not for the Flyers at this stage. Besides its possibe Reinbacher is picked by Arizona with pick 6. The Flyers need a stud center anyway. To me the aggressive play is to trade up and get Carlsson. Otherwise stand pat and get the best forward available with the most offensive upside, most likely Benson if he is still there. The only way I draft Michkov is if he is physically in the arena at draft time, so I can get my guards around him at all times.

I read the Redwings will be looking for a goalie. If they came to you for Hart and offered a 1st rounder, since they have 2, would you do it?
- J35Bacher

Assuming it's the latter of the 2 1sts, I'd strongly consider it.

But not at pick 7 and not for the Flyers at this stage. Besides its possibe Reinbacher is picked by Arizona with pick 6. The Flyers need a stud center anyway. To me the aggressive play is to trade up and get Carlsson. Otherwise stand pat and get the best forward available with the most offensive upside, most likely Benson if he is still there. The only way I draft Michkov is if he is physically in the arena at draft time, so I can get my guards around him at all times.
- jd250

The Flyers need everything. They shouldn't exclude defensemen.