Philadelphia Flyers Mock Draft 2.0
Creator: Dan Sanger
After a 33-39-10 season, which saw the Flyers finish dead last in the metro and fall to 6th in the NHL draft lottery, Daniel Briere is entering a very interesting off-season. While this past year saw rookie Matvei Michkov show superstar potential, Briere will need to pair him with a center on his level.
The team is also in desperate need of a reliable goalie after 2024 saw them have the worst goalie room in the NHL. While not all of those problems can be solved in this draft, Briere has the ability to make major strides with his 10 total draft picks, including 3 first-round picks.
Round 1 Pick 6: James Hagens, C, Boston College
This past season at Boston College, Hagens scored 11 goals and 26 assists to earn 37 points. The top of the draft is loaded with talent at the center position. The likes of Anton Frondell, Caleb Desnoyers, Hagens, Jake O’Brien, and Brody Martin will all likely be top 10 picks.
I have the Flyers going with the Boston College product, Hagens. The Flyers have a gaping hole at center, and Hagens has the potential to be one of the NHL’s best for years to come. He’s already flashed his potential at the World Juniors tournament, where he totaled 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists) as the top line center on the gold medal team.
He’s a fantastic distributor of the puck and could help elevate the likes of Michkov, Travis Konecny, and even Owen Tippett. The question surrounding Hagens and the Flyers is if he’ll actually be available at 6.
Round 1 Pick 22: Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin
In his final season at Wisconsin, Hensler finished with 2 goals and 10 assists for 12 points on the year. Hensler is a raw defensive product in this draft class. While it may take a while for him to be ready for the NHL level, many experts see Hensler as having a high floor and turning into a reliable option for whatever team takes him.
Corey Pronman of The Athletic described him as someone who “does enough well that he should be a solid NHL defenseman.” He isn’t the most exciting prospect in the draft, as the main knock on Hensler is that he doesn’t excel at anything. He is pretty good at almost everything, but dominant at nothing.
His skating and well-roundedness should help him flourish at the NHL level. The Flyers could use somebody like Hensler to anchor down the defense for the future core.
Round 1 Pick 31: Bill Zonnon, LW, QMJHL
Playing for the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Zonnon totaled 28 goals and 55 assists for 83 total points. Zonnon is a very hard-working winger on the ice. He’s been praised for his grit and versatility by many former coaches and scouts.
He’s one of the more well-rounded defensive wingers in this draft class, but he can struggle skating. His ability on the offensive end is something that will need to be improved upon at the NHL level. He’s an extremely athletic prospect, but very unfinished.
Round 2 Pick 36: Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, J20
In Sweden, Wozniak would tally 18 goals and 11 assists across the year for 29 points. Wozniak could serve as much-needed depth if developed correctly. At just 18 years old, he’ll have plenty of time to improve his game.
Round 2 Pick 40: Will Horcoff, C, Michigan
In 18 games last season at Michigan, Horcoff notched 4 goals and 6 assists and ended with 10 points. The Flyers could use more depth at center, especially as Sean Couturier has yet to return to his top form due to injuries.
Round 2 Pick 48: Max Psenicka, D, WHL
In the WHL, the defenseman got 2 goals and 4 assists to end with 6 points. The Flyers could use as much help on the defensive side as they can get, and Psenicka could help deepen the position.
Round 3 Pick 68: Kristian Epperson, LW, OHL
As a member of the Saginaw Spirit, Epperson lit up scoreboards with 27 goals and 57 assists for 80 total points. Epperson could add a nice scoring boost to any team he is on, and I see the Flyers taking a chance on him.
Round 5 Pick 132: Owen Martin, F, WHL
In Spokane, Martin racked up 13 goals and 21 assists to end with 34 total points. The Flyers could take a bet on the right-hander’s upside late in the draft.
Round 5 Pick 157: Jordan Gavin, C/LW, WHL
Last season in the WHL, Gavin got 21 goals and 36 assists for 57 points. The Flyers could use a left-handed wing or center, which makes Jordan Gavin a nice potential fit.
Round 6 Pick 164: Liam Kilfoil, C, WHL
As a center for the Halifax Mooseheads, Kilfoil got 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 total points. Kilfoil serves as another left-handed center prospect the Flyers could gamble on late in the draft.
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Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
