With the lottery order set and the 2024 NHL Draft fast approaching, that means it’s time for mock drafts, analysis and a ton of opinions on who the Philadelphia Flyers should draft.
I’m no expert and no insider. I have no clue who the Flyers should draft. But from looking into the early predictions and estimates of who the Flyers have a shot at selecting, there seems to be a consensus on which group of players could find themselves in the Orange and Black. Here’s a super quick run down of what options Danny Brière may have at pick 12:
Cole Eiserman (LW)
(Rena Laverty/USA Hockey)
Possibly one of the most popular names you’ll see on mock drafts and prospect rankings online, Eiserman is a very talented goal scorer. Something the Flyers desperately need. He scored his 127th goal this year in the USNTDP, breaking Cole Caufield’s record. You’ll see Eiserman ranked anywhere from #2 to #16 but if we want to go off of the NHL Draft prospect rankings on NHL.com, he is listed at #12. The draft will most likely not fall into place as smoothly as the lottery drawing did, and there is a good chance he goes way before pick 12. Never say never though.
Carter Yakemchuk (D)
(Jonathan Kozub/Getty Images)
A 6’3”, 201-pound defenseman, Yakemchuk could end up being a good fit for the Flyers at 12. We all saw how beat up the defense was during the final stretch of games this season and it’s not clear if one of Ginning or Attard can become a main stay on the back end. Emil Andrae has a shot to crack the opening night roster next season as well, but that is still very much in limbo. The Flyers need to continue to develop their defense and a massive guy like Yakemchuk patrolling the blue line could help. Dobber Prospects sums up Yakemchuk with the following:
“Big, daring offensive defenceman with great range and tools. Decision-making and habits are still quite raw, but has number 2/3 D and top power-play upside.”
Tij Ignila (C)
(Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets)
If Tij Iginla is available at 12, the center could be a very exciting pick for Philly. The son of the great Jarome Iginla, Tij is coming off of a break out season in the WHL, tallying 47 goals and 37 assists. It’s no secret the Flyers need centers and Iginla would immediately become the Flyers top prospect for that position.
Berkly Catton (C)
(Tri-City Americans)
If you read Flyers Twitter (X) as much as I do, you have been seeing the name Berkly Catton a lot as of late. A smaller center at 5’10” and 170 pounds, Catton makes up for it with his high scoring ability. This season in the WHL, he recorded 54 goals and 62 assists. He is currently ranked higher than the 6’0”, 185-pound Tij Iginla at 8 according to NHL.com.
There’s not a strong chance that the Flyers could see him fall to 12, but they are within range. Would the Flyers use their Panthers first rounder they acquired in a trade to move up in the draft as it’s recently been theorized? Who knows. But there’s no denying that Flyers fans seem to have developed an affinity for Catton.
Clearly no one knows how this draft will shake up. After Celebrini, Demidov, and Levshunov come off the board, anything can happen. At pick #12, the Flyers have a chance to draft a very good player and with the Panthers’ first rounder in their back pocket, there’s no telling what moves we may see Brière make. For Flyers fans, the 2024 NHL Draft could end up being a very exciting night.
