Flyers Pick at 11
The Philadelphia Flyers were awarded the 11th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery. Slipping just one spot from the projected 10th due to a few surprise rise and falls within the bottom sixteen teams in the Lottery.
So what do the Flyers need to add in order to compete with the ever-so increasing speed and talent the game has inherited throughout the more recent years of drafting?
Here are three possible options the Flyers are projected to go for with the 11th overall pick.
Alex Turcotte
The American born center at 5’11, 194 lbs is a speedy two-way 200-foot player who can create plays in the neutral zone, and complement 3rd or 4th line wingers on any projected forward line in the future. A left-handed shot, tremendous hockey IQ and playmaker who could really clean up the offensive zone entry problems Flyers have struggled with in 5 on 5 this past season.
Peyton Krebs
A tremendously talented Canadian born skater who can play left wing or center is within The Flyers grasp for an 11th pick and could really add more speed to offensive zone entries. A hard-nosed player who may not excel in the dirty areas to gain puck possession, but can surely contribute to any rush or turnover situation and finish. Krebs is also a very talented puck handler who can weave himself in and out of traffic and possesses elite on-ice awareness and light speed decision making and even though the Flyers prospect pool seems to be overflowing with wingers, one more couldn’t hurt if current GM Chuck Fletcher needed to trade off already established assets to fill other roles while also rejuvenating the forward options with more speed, and youth to go around.
Victor Soderstrom
A puck moving two-way defenseman with unbelievable offensive threats to his game. Add him to a 3rd line pairing behind Shayne Gostisbehere and opposing teams may have difficulties catching their breath. After all, the defense is (by far) the biggest challenge facing the Flyers front office this summer. Soderstrom could very well be ready to go in the later stages of the upcoming season if he plays his game at camp and acquires some time in the AHL beforehand. Overall, a dynamic player with a hard shot, pinpoint accurate passing skills and can hold the blue line responsibly while still having the speed to jump into an offensive turnover or rush from the neutral zone.
All in all, The Flyers have some very important roster moves to make this summer. Adding and subtracting in the right areas could transform them from a middle of the road regular season team to a playoff-bound threat who could possibly win a round or two.
Selecting the right guy June 21st in Vancouver could really close up the right gaps in their game to not only benefit the current roster as it stands but could also add to some very impressive prospect talent for Fletcher to evaluate in a pool already counting down the minutes to September when camp opens up.
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