With the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Danny Brière and his scouts will have some tough choices to make. Forward or defensemen? Center or wing? Offensive defenseman or two-way defenseman? We’re really unsure. Brière’s recent comments on the draft also highlight something else – that there are more players Flyers scouts value than the general consensus and mock drafts.
However, for this article, we are focusing on a defenseman. A right-shot, puck-moving defensemen named Carter Yakemchuk.
Profile
Birthday: September 29, 2005
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 194lbs
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Position: RHD
Why Would the Flyers Draft the Yak?
Carter Yakemchuk’s 6’3” stature, mobility, and confidence have attracted many scouts, especially over the last year. Playing for the Calgary Hitmen, Carter had his biggest year in his draft year, jumping from 47 points (19g, 28a) in 67 games to 71 points (30g, 41a) in 66 games. He is a tall and fast right-handed shooting defenseman. RHDs are always valued more because of the way they hold their stick.
The guy is also just a Flyer in terms of personality. He is extremely confident in himself, and brings a mean streak on the ice (we’ll get to that later). All of these qualities describes a player Keith Jones would love. Jones has talked about building out the team from the back, so prioritizing a defenseman can make sense from that perspective. Don’t forget, the Flyers are not afraid to take a defenseman over the pure goal scorer re: 2019 Draft where Chuck Fletcherpassed over Cole Caufield twice for Cam York. Let’s break down why this pick could be great, or how it could blow up in our face.
Arguing FOR Carter Yakemchuk
If we are looking at him from a glass half-full perspective, there is a LOT to be excited about. He’s a tall, mean defenseman who can skate, pass, and shoot. Yakemchuk could also solve a lot of question marks on the Flyers’ blueline assuming he reaches his ceiling. He could be a top-pair defenseman that could keep up with a higher pace of play for their current system. Yakemchuk could also legitimately be a part of the future Flyers’ power play that isn’t a complete dumpster fire.
Another thing this player could provide is some more space to breathe for Jamie Drysdale. Even though he is also an offensively-oriented RHD, the pressure to become that top-pair guy comes off a bit if Yakemchuk runs away with this role. This would allow Drysdale to continue to develop in a more sheltered role rather than being exposed to top-6 quality matchups every night.
Yakemchuk is also just such a great Flyers personality. He has a bit of a mean streak, and takes out his anger and frustrations on his opponents, especially when he struggles. There isn’t anything a Flyers fan loves more than a guy who’s willing to punch others in the face when they suck at their jobs. That’s passion, that’s Flyers hockey. In the scenario where we want him at this pick, we are also assuming he gets his emotions under control, and develops more situational awareness on and off the puck.
Arguing AGAINST Carter Yakemchuk
There are a lot of real concerns when it comes to drafting Yakemchuk. In my opinion, he would not be considered a top 15 pick if he were to shoot left-handed. Topping out at a height like 5’10” would be ann even harder sell.
Thetemper tantrums and overconfident behavior are red flags for me. There is also some recency bias in this opinion I have. InIvan Provorov’s final chapter with the Flyers, it ended with the realization that he was a guy that could not be held accountable. That type of attitude cost himself and the Flyers a great relationship over these last 10 years. Scouts describe Yakemchuk as a playmaker, but they do not consider him a power play quarterback.
The pick also worries me about what that suggests of Jamie Drysdale, who wastraded for the Flyers’ 5th overall pick in the 2022 draft in Cutter Guathier. We don’t need two players with the same profile: limited offensive defensemen not meeting their ceiling and is still a defensive mess. However, we will see what Brière and Co. ultimately decide as the 2024 draft can go a number of ways.
