Preview of who the Flyers could pick at 7th Overall

With the draft order now set I wanted to take a look at the potential players available when the Flyers pick 7th overall. The top of this draft is very heavy with talent, outside of Bedard there are three players who could have been first overall picks in most recent draft years. But even beyond them picks 5-15 could all land their teams a potential superstar, with almost all players defined by their skill and hockey IQ rather than things like size and grit.

**Have** **to** **Fall**

[Will Smith](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/615470/will-smith) – C, 6’0, NTDP – Like a lot of people in this sub, Smith was a guy I liked all year, but with the Flyers finishing slightly better than most of us thought and Smith’s huge U-18 there is very little chance he will be on the board. In Bob McKenzie’s pre-lottery draft rankings (based off survey scouts and not his opinion), Smith jumped all the way up to 3 – with one scout having him up at 2. Smith thinks fast and plays fast which allows him to really make the most out of his teammates. He (along with some other names on this list) will be joining Cutter Gauthier at BC next season, while he may get more time with his U-18 linemates than Cutter, that BC power play next season will be something fierce.

[Matvei Michkov](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/699375/matvei-michkov) – RW, 5’10, Sochi/SKA – Michkov is undoubtedly will be the most intriguing name come draft day. He has super star talent, if he was in a normal situation he would likely go 2nd or 3rd, but he is not in a normal situation. Not only is he signed through 2023 with SKA, Russia’s political climate makes things generally very difficult. SKA is owned by Gennady Timchenko who is deep in Putin’s inner circle – which probably contributes to SKA being Putin’s favorite team. Putin also uses sports as propaganda and is keenly aware of players symbolic importance, so there would likely be a lot of pressure to keep the “next Ovechkin” in the country. Even without that, Russia being banned from international tournaments means Michkov hasn’t played against his peer group since he was 16, making it slightly harder to assess his skill. But, there is no denying he has tremendous skill, in terms of play style he is a lot like Connor Bedard, fast, super high skill level, incredibly creative, and a great shot. He is a game breaker who will be a super star when he comes to the NHL. With that said I don’t know if the Flyers pick him. They generally don’t take players out of Europe and the fact it has probably been hard to scout him makes a rookie GM taking him even less likely. I do think there is a solid chance that he is on the board at 7, but if he is I think there is a chance the Flyers could trade down to 8th or 9th. Detroit is 9th and Yzerman has a history taking Russians, 8th is Washington who also takes a lot of Russians and Ovi probably having the best opportunity at facilitating Michkov coming over to the NHL before the end of his contract.

[Dalibor Dvorsky](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/527424/dalibor-dvorsky) – C, 6’1, AIK (Sweden) – Dvorsky is a player I had typically thought of as being in the Flyers wheelhouse at 7th Overall, but I’m seeing more and more online that Habs fans seem certain Dvorsky will go to Montreal which is why he’s in the “Have to Fall” category. Dvorsky is the best two way center in the draft, he’s clearly the best defensively, but also has a high level of skill and playmaking ability that will make him a major offensive threat. One drawback of his is his speed, but it is easier to develop speed than high hockey IQ. Dvorsky is similar to Couturier in that way, and while not as tall, he does have a similar defensive style where even if he is not the fastest he can still be effective. If he gains speed like Coots did he could be a two way monster.

[Zach Benson](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/535582/zach-benson) – C/W, 5’10, Winnipeg Ice – Benson was one of the most dominant players in the WHL this season. He has elite edge work allow him to protect the puck giving him great escapability in the offensive and defensive zones. Skilled with great vision, Benson is an elite playmaker who can create his own space then thread the puck through to his teammates. While Benson isn’t super fast he is a hardworker who can go in and win puck battles along the boards and force turnovers. There is some debate over if he is a center or winger in the NHL, part of me wonders if Briere will see Benson, who is a similar player to what he was, differently than most other GMs around the league and will want to keep him at center.

I listed four players in this “Have to Fall” category, and didn’t list guys like Bedard, Fantilli, and Carlsson who should all be off the board by no later than the 4th pick. That means at least one of the players I discussed here will be available. There is a small chance that someone above the Flyers go with a D and two of these guys fall, but I’m not sure. I don’t think SJ passes up a star like Smith or Carlsson, Arizona has a 2nd pick at 12th Overall where they could pick a D, and Montreal I guess will be taking Dvorsky but we’ll see when the time comes. If I had to guess who falls it would be Michkov and like I said I don’t see the Flyers picking him.

**Wheelhouse**

[Ryan Leonard](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603021/ryan-leonard) – C/W, 5’11, NTDP – Leonard is a high octane player who is aggressive on the forecheck and a dangerous shot. He is also pretty strong defensively, more in the vein of a Bergeron style defender than say Couturier. Ranked 7th in McKenzie’s latest ranking he seems like the typical Flyer pick which might get some people rolling their eyes. I think Leonard is a bit more dangerous than a Scott Laughton type player which this description may make it sound like. He’s good at creating space in the zone away from the puck and has a quick release and accurate shot. Craig Button compared him to Travis Konecny, which is true in a lot of ways but a believe Leonard’s accuracy and defense (at least in their pre-draft years) is a little better. Leonard is going to BC, and it will be interesting to see where he slots in as he can play both win and center, I think the way he plays compliments Gauthier (similar to how Snuggerud worked with him and Cooley at WJC) but Leonard undoubtedly has chemistry with Smith/Perreault who are both going to BC.

[Oliver Moore](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603195/oliver-moore) – C, 5’11, NTDP – Moore has been mentioned around the Flyers pick quite a bit by local media and fans a like. Moore’s biggest gifts are his speed, he’s potentially the fastest player in the draft, and his shot. Moore was the C behind Will Smith with the NTDP, so he didn’t put up huge numbers compared to guys on that first line, but he still made a huge impression. Right now Moore may be a little too fast for his own good, as he can play faster than his hands can handle. I’ve seen a couple places suggest he would take a little more time in college before making the jump to the NHL, but given how it’s gone back to being the norm for even high end talent to take two years in college I don’t think that’s a huge aberration. Moore is going to the University of Minnesota, where he’ll once again sit behind an elite center in Logan Cooley who looks to be returning for his sophomore year.

[Andrew Cristall](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603591/andrew-cristall) – LW, 5’10, Kelowna Rockets – Cristall is an extremely talented winger who put up huge points in the WHL, he had the third highest PPG of a full-time player behind only Bedard and the reigning CHL Player of the Year Logan Stankoven. Cristall has great hands, great vision, creative playmaking, and a strong shot. He is undersized and isn’t a high end skater, even compared to Zach Benson who has similar size, skill, and average skating, Cristall isn’t quite as quick. There is no doubt he is a huge talent, but I don’t know if the Flyers pass on Benson to take Cristall (though there is no guarantee Benson is on the board at 7OA), but they could see something in his game like his superior shot and hands that could see Cristall shoot up the draft board.

[Eduard Sale](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/595291/eduard-sale) – RW, 6’1, Brno (Czech) – Sale’s skill set could be described as a jack of all trades, master of none. He is highly skilled, if not as skilled as Cristall, he has great vision and playmaking if not as good as Benson, he has great speed and skating, if not as good as Moore, he has good physicality and drive if not as physical as Leonard. He may not be number one in any category, but he will be top 5 in many categories in this draft. Regarding the Flyers picking him, the Flyers have only drafted one player out of a European league in the first round in the last 20 years. In that same span they’ve only drafted 2 players, in any round, out of the Czech league. I’d say it’s unlikely the Flyers pick him, but he has had a good showing in international tournaments, notably the World Juniors, so he could be on the Flyers radar.

[Colby Barlow](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603562/colby-barlow) – LW, 6’1, Owen Sound Attack – Barlow has climbed up the draft rankings over the course of the season. He scored 46 goals in 59 games, giving him the best goals per game for a U18 player in the OHL since Jeff Skinner over a decade ago. Barlow had been a great scorer, putting up 30 goals the year before, but his improved speed and ability to get to open space allowed him not only to fill the net but to potentially climb into the top 10. There are still rough parts of his game so he would need more improvement than some other players around this point in the draft. But one big plus is his defensive ability which could make him not only a big asset down the road but a player who could make a quicker transition to the NHL if he can fill a role in the bottom six.

The interesting thing about players in this tier is that they are so different from each other, with most players maxing out in one or two areas. What people and teams value determine where these guys rank who where guys will go. For example, looking at the different rankings on Elite Prospects, each of these guys have a huge range of where they are ranked, with at least one ranking having them 5-7 and one ranking having them in the 20s. If the Flyers take one of these guys it will be which skillset they think they can best facilitate and which deficiencies they can best develop.

**Reach**

[Gabe Perreault](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/637625/gabe-perreault) – RW, 5’11, NTDP – Gabe Perreault is an offensive dynamo who led the NTDP in points even over guys like Smith and Leonard. Tons of skill, great playmaker, and a good work ethic. He has defensive issues and his skating is a step below guys like Benson and Cristall. But after a big U-18 tournament McKenzie’s new ranking had him at 9th compared to recently where he’s been mostly ranked in the late teens and 20s, one ranking had him as low as 41 – the lowest of anyone mentioned here.

[David Reinbacher](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/703646/david-reinbacher) – D, 6’2, Kloten (Swiss) – Reinbacher is an intriguing two way right shot defenseman, and will likely be either the first or second defenseman off the board, though that might not be until after the top 10. He’s very responsible defensively while possessing good puck handling and shooting from the blue line. His skating is his biggest issues but his mechanics are good. His ability to play big minutes in the Swiss league is a big deal, the top Swiss league is arguably the 2nd best in Europe, potentially even first best given the talent that left the KHL.

[Axel Sandin Pellikka](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/534818/axel-sandin-pellikka) – D, 5’11, Skelleftea AIK (Sweden) – Sandin Pellikka is an offensively dynamic right shot defenseman. He is an exceptional skater with great puck handing abilities, offensive instincts, and vision. His biggest draw back is his defense, which, you know, ain’t great for a defenseman. Sandin Pellikka may be a big risk/reward type of defenseman, if his defense can improve he could be a superstar, if it doesn’t he still may find a good career in the NHL given how he skates or he could never quite make the jump.

[Brayden Yager](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/565757/brayden-yager) – C, 6’0, Moose Jaw Warriors – Yager, like the guys in the “Wheelhouse” section has a wide range of rankings with a couple rankings having him as high as 7th. Yager is a shoot first center with good compete and a strong two way game. The reason Yager is here and not higher up is that there are a lot of issues with Yager’s game, he is not particularly fast or skilled, so I would have a hard time seeing the Flyers taking him over somebody like Moore. If the Flyers end up taking Yager it would cause quite the rumbling on draft day.

[Matthew Wood](https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/603587/matthew-wood) – C/W, 6’3, UConn – Wood will likely be the biggest player taken in the first half of the only player of comparable size being Leo Carlsson. Wood scored at nearly a goal a game pace in the BCHL as a 16 year old, then as a 17 year old he lead UConn in points. He actually had the best U18 season in the NCAA since Jonathan Toews. He’s got a great shot, good hands, and be very effective in front of the net. He’s got good speed when he gets space but his acceleration is an issue. While I don’t think the Flyers go with Wood, I know they will at least look at the biggest guy in their range. And Wood has the skill and resume to back up going higher in the draft, not going high simply for being big.

In this section I tried to look at guys that was different than the players in the “Wheelhouse” section in case the Flyers are looking for something else. Perreault is most similar to Benson and Cristall, but they could see something in his chemistry with other players or the development pathway at BC and take him over them. The defensemen each have their issues, and while I think the Flyers could use a great RHD I don’t think they reach for guys with such question marks (especially after passing over Jiricek last year who didn’t have those questions).

**Who** **Should/Will** **they** **Take?**

Should is a difficult question given what I said earlier about what attributes are valued. I’m sure if you’ve read this far you likely have factors that are most important to you like speed, vision/IQ, skill, shooting, and it could be different than mine. It also depends on who gets to the Flyers. If Michkov was available and I was in charge I would pick him and then figure things out afterwards. If Benson was there at 7th I would probably take him as well. Of the players in the wheelhouse I’d be tempted to go with Cristall, but I do think they need a more dynamic center and Oliver Moore would make things very difficult on opponents.

Who do I think they take? I think it ends up being either Leonard or Moore, with the hope that with Briere in charge they see Benson differently than most Flyers front offices in the past. But with a new GM, new Pres of Hockey Ops, and an unknown level of influence from the old guard guys, it will be interesting to see what happens. Once you get past 4th Overall in this years draft it could go a bunch of different ways from 5 to 15.

by hawks27-2