It's a concern with the issues of getting them out of Russia, but 2 of the 4 prospects are already here. They should feel pretty good about their ability to get those deals done. If the Flyers stay at 12, I could see them having a lot of interest in Yakemchuk. I believe Briere/Jones have no issue overloading with blueline prospects, and use a defensive prospect to trade for forward help in the future.
- Trox88

As Bill's said before, gotta take the Russians case by case. We all know what Fedotov had to go thru and Kolosov was Belarusian playing in Minsk so that's a bit different.

The risk is that Demi and MM happen to be under contract with the same club. Even if there isn't a huge risk that they would be prevented from coming over eventually they'd be compounding any risk by taking both. If it's purely on talent I'm taking Demidov all day long at #2.

Yakemchuk reminds me too much of Attard with a sweeter set of hands. I don't think he can get away with playing as a rover in the NHL.

I'm hearing lots of good things about this Catton kid. Like, he could have the highest upside with his speed and skill. Is this true?
- Phillywhiteout

The main knock against him is his size. Here’s an excerpt from The Hockey Writers which kinda sums up his evaluation:

“Catton excels in all facets of the game, with no glaring weaknesses whatsoever besides his lack of size. He is excellent on his edges which more than makes up for his average top speed, allowing him to blow by opponents with clever routes and pure agility. Catton is so slippery in fact that he draws a ton of penalties at the junior level, which he can often capitalize on as the motor that runs his team’s top power play unit…
The only other thing I’d mention about Catton’s projection is that nothing about him screams “elite”. He’s excellent at everything but there isn’t that one trait that really pops out at you when you watch him play. For Cole Eiserman it’s the shot, with Ivan Demidov it’s the hands, with Cayden Lindstrom it’s the compete level. That may limit Catton’s ultimate ceiling as an NHL player, though I do expect he’ll be a really great pro player.”

The board will implode when the Flyers trade their pick for an already somewhat established NHL player.

As Bill's said before, gotta take the Russians case by case. We all know what Fedotov had to go thru and Kolosov was Belarusian playing in Minsk so that's a bit different.

The risk is that Demi and MM happen to be under contract with the same club. Even if there isn't a huge risk that they would be prevented from coming over eventually they'd be compounding any risk by taking both. If it's purely on talent I'm taking Demidov all day long at #2.

Yakemchuk reminds me too much of Attard with a sweeter set of hands. I don't think he can get away with playing as a rover in the NHL.
- Tomahawk

This is just my opinion, but I don't see Demidov as skilled as Michkov. I didn't think that last year and I still feel that way. Doesn't mean I think Demidov is a bad player, but different strengths and just not as elite. That's me.

If Michkov can drop to 7 (I know stronger top draft), can Demidov drop for the same reason out of top 10?

I don't know if I would like the gamble if he fell to the Flyers, but I feel like it either ends really good or really bad, nothing in between.

The main knock against him is his size. Here’s an excerpt from The Hockey Writers which kinda sums up his evaluation:

“Catton excels in all facets of the game, with no glaring weaknesses whatsoever besides his lack of size. He is excellent on his edges which more than makes up for his average top speed, allowing him to blow by opponents with clever routes and pure agility. Catton is so slippery in fact that he draws a ton of penalties at the junior level, which he can often capitalize on as the motor that runs his team’s top power play unit…
The only other thing I’d mention about Catton’s projection is that nothing about him screams “elite”. He’s excellent at everything but there isn’t that one trait that really pops out at you when you watch him play. For Cole Eiserman it’s the shot, with Ivan Demidov it’s the hands, with Cayden Lindstrom it’s the compete level. That may limit Catton’s ultimate ceiling as an NHL player, though I do expect he’ll be a really great pro player.”
- Schmojo

His IQ might be only behind Celebrini.

Update:

What is Brayden Point's elite attribute?

It’s interesting going back and looking at draft profiles of star players. I was looking at the Dallas players like Robertson who had his skating questioned, Heiskanen had size/weight/physicality concerns. Makar had similar concerns as Heiskanen. Debrincat, Caufield, and Point all dropped because of size concerns. At this point in their draft year Makar and Heiskanen were ranked all over the top 10 and weren’t consensus top 5 picks.

As Bill's said before, gotta take the Russians case by case. We all know what Fedotov had to go thru and Kolosov was Belarusian playing in Minsk so that's a bit different.

The risk is that Demi and MM happen to be under contract with the same club. Even if there isn't a huge risk that they would be prevented from coming over eventually they'd be compounding any risk by taking both. If it's purely on talent I'm taking Demidov all day long at #2.

Yakemchuk reminds me too much of Attard with a sweeter set of hands. I don't think he can get away with playing as a rover in the NHL.
- Tomahawk

Good observations, can't disagree with any of them. If they stick at 12, I just believe blueline will be the pick.

I was thinking about this, when was the last time the Flyers drafted a smaller forward in the 1st rd who projected to play center? I believe G was projected to stay on the wing when he was drafted. Rubtsov was not on the smaller side. Having a tough time remembering when the Flyers drafted a Briere type center in the 1st rd.

This is just my opinion, but I don't see Demidov as skilled as Michkov. I didn't think that last year and I still feel that way. Doesn't mean I think Demidov is a bad player, but different strengths and just not as elite. That's me.

If Michkov can drop to 7 (I know stronger top draft), can Demidov drop for the same reason out of top 10?

I don't know if I would like the gamble if he fell to the Flyers, but I feel like it either ends really good or really bad, nothing in between.
- Glak18

Demidov has a physical advantage by being bigger/a bit faster. Skill-wise they're comparable. I like MM's hockey sense better but Demi's creative as all hell.

If Demi pulls a Michkov and basically tells a bunch of teams he doesn't want them to draft him, then maybe there's a chance he makes it to 12 haha.

Toss all the concerns I had before out the window I'm taking 1000% taking him if he makes it to #12, even if he tells the Flyers to go (frank) themselves.

It’s interesting going back and looking at draft profiles of star players. I was looking at the Dallas players like Robertson who had his skating questioned, Heiskanen had size/weight/physicality concerns. Makar had similar concerns as Heiskanen. Debrincat, Caufield, and Point all dropped because of size concerns. At this point in their draft year Makar and Heiskanen were ranked all over the top 10 and weren’t consensus top 5 picks.
- Schmojo

That is why I wish the Flyers drafted players based on their skillset and how THEY could best develop them to fit their team. Very few players come out without question marks, but it's what you do know that ends up being the main thing. I believe that's why the Flyers draft safe because I don't think they trust their development to work on the other areas.

Good observations, can't disagree with any of them. If they stick at 12, I just believe blueline will be the pick.

I was thinking about this, when was the last time the Flyers drafted a smaller forward in the 1st rd who projected to play center? I believe G was projected to stay on the wing when he was drafted. Rubtsov was not on the smaller side. Having a tough time remembering when the Flyers drafted a Briere type center in the 1st rd.
- Trox88

Yeah, they generally have gone for bigger players with lottery picks. Provy, Coots, NP, Cutter, Carter, Pitkanen, JVR, Morin, etc. They lust after that size down the middle and on the back end.

Demidov has a physical advantage by being bigger/a bit faster. Skill-wise they're comparable. I like MM's hockey sense better but Demi's creative as all hell.

If Demi pulls a Michkov and basically tells a bunch of teams he doesn't want them to draft him, then maybe there's a chance he makes it to 12 haha.

Toss all the concerns I had before out the window I'm taking 1000% taking him if he makes it to #12, even if he tells the Flyers to go (frank) themselves.



- Tomahawk

You may have the confidence in him, but I don't when picking in the top 3...now 12 yeah you run up, but do the Flyers have it in them to make it work out?

Maybe you get the package deal...if one comes then the other wants it more. Also maybe the Flyers get a discount 2 for 1 "payment" for their contracts to disolve...

Good observations, can't disagree with any of them. If they stick at 12, I just believe blueline will be the pick.

I was thinking about this, when was the last time the Flyers drafted a smaller forward in the 1st rd who projected to play center? I believe G was projected to stay on the wing when he was drafted. Rubtsov was not on the smaller side. Having a tough time remembering when the Flyers drafted a Briere type center in the 1st rd.
- Trox88

Obrien and Frost were both First round Centers and 6" flat, Not really small Richards in 03 was 5-11 and is probably the closest but he played a big game, not really the Briere type

Scott Wheeler did an interesting piece on a combined 2023/24 ranking of top prospects. His list was:

1. Connor Bedard(’23)
2. Macklin Celebrini (’24)
3. Matvei Michkov (’23)
4. Adam Fantilli (’23)
5. Leo Carlsson(’23)
6. Will Smith (’23)
7. Artyom Levshunov (’24)
8. Ivan Demidov (’24)
9. Cole Eiserman (’24)
10. Zayne Parekh (’24)
11. Sam Richardinson (’24)
12. Zeev Buium (’24)
13. Anton Silayev (’24)
14. Zach Benson (’23)
15. Gabe Perreault (’23)
16. Berkly Catton (’24)
17. Konsta Helenius (’24)
18. Cayden Lindstrom (’24)

Bob looks like Sam Huntington from the movie Fanboys...

Imagine if they never traded him. How long has Bryz been out of the league now?

Obrien and Frost were both First round Centers and 6" flat, Not really small Richards in 03 was 5-11 and is probably the closest but he played a big game, not really the Briere type
- GPerogie

Greg Johnson was the "smallest" center taken in the first round by Philly at 5'10 Traded away before he played a game for us.

Obrien and Frost were both First round Centers and 6" flat, Not really small Richards in 03 was 5-11 and is probably the closest but he played a big game, not really the Briere type
- GPerogie

Good call on Frost. Richards coming out was considered a two way center. I just find it doubtful they would draft Catton if they had the chance. After the Patrick pick, also doubtful they would select Lindstrom if available.

Good call on Frost. Richards coming out was considered a two way center. I just find it doubtful they would draft Catton if they had the chance. After the Patrick pick, also doubtful they would select Lindstrom if available.
- Trox88

I see them reaching for a defenseman that they think has the tools because they drafted Michkov the year before.

I'm fine with a defenseman, but they need a center with skill more than ANYTHING. If we see the same results next year where they battle for the playoffs just to miss then who knows what the (frank) they are trying to do.

Good call on Frost. Richards coming out was considered a two way center. I just find it doubtful they would draft Catton if they had the chance. After the Patrick pick, also doubtful they would select Lindstrom if available.
- Trox88

History says no however Briere himself I would say has a shot to change the whole tune of the team. I personally do like Size for forwards but we lack some true high caliber centers, You can find size on free agency for cheaper, but its hard to get top skill without overpaying Hopefully the scouting is working hard to find us a few gems, ,The next 2 drafts can make or break this rebuild

Good observations, can't disagree with any of them. If they stick at 12, I just believe blueline will be the pick.

I was thinking about this, when was the last time the Flyers drafted a smaller forward in the 1st rd who projected to play center? I believe G was projected to stay on the wing when he was drafted. Rubtsov was not on the smaller side. Having a tough time remembering when the Flyers drafted a Briere type center in the 1st rd.
- Trox88

O’Brien ‘18
Frost ‘17
Richards ‘03
Linseman ‘78

These are the only centers under 6ft the Flyers have ever drafted in the first round. All of them were listed at 5’11.

Clarke, who was a 2nd rd pick but would have been a 1st with more teams in the league was only a meager 5’10

History says no however Briere himself I would say has a shot to change the whole tune of the team. I personally do like Size for forwards but we lack some true high caliber centers, You can find size on free agency for cheaper, but its hard to get top skill without overpaying Hopefully the scouting is working hard to find us a few gems, ,The next 2 drafts can make or break this rebuild
- GPerogie

I can only imagine what the team would look like if they end up drafting more players that end up like Patrick, Rubtsov, O'Brien, Morin....

O’Brien ‘18
Frost ‘17
Richards ‘03
Linseman ‘78

These are the only centers under 6ft the Flyers have ever drafted in the first round. All of them were listed at 5’11.

Clarke, who was a 2nd rd pick but would have been a 1st with more teams in the league was only a meager 5’10
- Schmojo

Now do a list of all the players that were undersized that the Flyers wish they didn't overlook.

Greg Johnson was the "smallest" center taken in the first round by Philly at 5'10 Traded away before he played a game for us.
- GPerogie

He was a 2nd rd pick, 33rd overall

I see them reaching for a defenseman that they think has the tools because they drafted Michkov the year before.

I'm fine with a defenseman, but they need a center with skill more than ANYTHING. If we see the same results next year where they battle for the playoffs just to miss then who knows what the (frank) they are trying to do.
- Glak18

This is why I’ve been on the tank train for years. I’d move up to get one of the D this year. Trade TK, Laughts, etc. ensure you’re picking top 5 next season and take a center in a deeper draft for centers next year. They need to draft a #1 D asap because they take 3-4 years to develop.

This is why I’ve been on the tank train for years. I’d move up to get one of the D this year. Trade TK, Laughts, etc. ensure you’re picking top 5 next season and take a center in a deeper draft for centers next year. They need to draft a #1 D asap because they take 3-4 years to develop.
- Schmojo

And that is the downfall of the Flyers, I don't think they think that far ahead.

He was a 2nd rd pick, 33rd overall
- Schmojo

Good call That was our first pic that year, 2nd round Well done