Flyers 2025 Draft Grades

The NHL Draft has concluded, and so has the Flyers’ draft. In seven total rounds, and after a couple of trades from the front office, the Flyers have picked eight players total from this year’s draft.

The Flyers drafted what seems to be a power-heavy draft class, as the average height of this class is around 6’2″ tall. Perhaps this type of size is what Daniel Briere and the front office envisioned the “New Era of Orange” to look like.

This draft class for the Flyers looks to be a great group of athletes compared to other clubs’ draft classes. The following are the analyzed draft grades from this year’s NHL Draft.

Porter Martone: A+

Sure, many Flyers fans would have liked to see the Flyers snag James Hagens sixth overall, but when you take a serious look at what Martone has the ability and size to do, you will see what makes this pick exceptional.

Martone has every type of skill that the Flyers want or that they need. While only 18 years old, he is already 6’3″ and 208 lbs. While this will only go up as he grows older, this size is perfect for the National Hockey League and will help him keep the puck on the rush. Even with his huge size, Martone has the speed, stick handling, and hockey IQ necessary to play on an NHL roster, as this past season in the OHL, he recorded 98 points in 57 games played (37 goals, 61 assists).

Many critics claim that even though Martone has a high ceiling, he has a lot of work to do with throwing productive hits and sharpening his focus. Since he is only 18 years old, Martone will only get bigger and better on this young and growing Flyers team.

Jack Nesbitt: B-

When the Flyers traded the 22nd and the 31st pick for the 12th overall pick, many fans expected something big to come. Though the Flyers need centers, Nesbitt at 12th overall wasn’t the ideal choice for the 12th overall pick, but that does not make it a terrible selection.

The left-handed center played in the OHL for two years, both with the Windsor Spitfires. In 65 games this past season, Nesbitt scored 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points. While that is not terrible on its own, 12th overall may seem to high for a player who lacks handling and hockey sense.

There are positives, however, with Nesbitt. He is 6’4″ and 193 lbs, continuing the trend we will see in the size of these athletes. In his time in the OHL, Nesbitt has used his size and physique in his style of game, which suits the Flyers perfectly.

Many say that a guy such as Nesbitt isn’t a player you use a top 15 pick for, while others say a strong, truculent center is exactly what the Flyers need. It will be a matter of time until we find out what Nesbitt has to offer for Philadelphia.

Carter Amico: B

To start the second round, the Flyers selected a right-handed defenseman in Amico. Amico comes from the United States National Development Team, where he spent his last two seasons. This pick could very possibly pan out well for the Flyers, as a right-handed defenseman with elite defensive skills is something the Flyers have lacked over time.

Amico’s first season with the United States did not go so well for him, as in 22 games played, Amico was limited to a goal and four assists and a rating of -10. His second and most recent season was unfortunately cut short due to a knee injury, limiting Amico to four games played.

Though we do not have the best look through his statistics, there are signs of an upside career with the Flyers. First, Amico stands at 6’5″, which has been a theme and will be a theme throughout this entire class for the Flyers. What really stands out, though, is how Amico weighs in at 225 lbs.

As the Flyers continue to look for big, powerful players to protect their stars, Amico is a great fit.

Jack Murtagh: B+

It was only a few picks after Amico that his U.S. teammate would get selected by the Flyers in Murtagh. The left winger at 17 years old stands at 6’1″ and weighs in at 200 lbs. In his time with the development team, Murtagh has had much success over two seasons.

In his first year with the club, Murtagh put up nine goals and 10 assists in 34 games played. For his age, this is not bad at all. He would then have seven goals and 11 assists the following year, even in 10 fewer games than the year prior.

Murtagh took big steps during his time developing, which may land him a spot on the Flyers roster at some point, whether it be soon or in a few years.

Shane Vansaghi: C+

The Flyers selected Vansaghi out of Michigan State University, where he played a year after previously playing two years with the United States National Development Team. Vansaghi has the build and compete with being 6’2″ and 210 lbs, but may lack handling talent and hockey IQ. With the Flyers having lots of right wings, this move is not bad, but not a great pick.

Playing for the U.S. Team, Vansaghi scored seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 58 games played. While these stats are not great, the Flyers believe his size can get him to where he needs to be.

Though he has the size, his lack of speed would eventually catch up to Vansaghi at an NHL level.

Matthew Gard: A

The Flyers made a great pick in center Gard, who excels in, you guessed it, his size and physique. Gard stands at 6’5″ and weighs around 192 lbs. Gard, while being so tall, has above average skills with not only puck skills, but also for a complete game.

Gard spent two seasons in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels, having an exceptional season this past year. Gard, in 66 games, scored 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points total. He also had 81 penalty minutes, which will fit perfectly in the Flyers organization.

This was a great pick by the Flyers for many reasons, as he has the talent to develop an NHL-ready self.

Max Westergard: A+

In the fifth round of the draft, the Flyers started their two picks with a left winger in Westergard, from Sweden. Westergard played two seasons with Frolunda HC’s Junior team, where he found much success.

In his first season, he played only six games, but recorded four points during that time with a goal. In a fresh new season, Westergard played 41 games for 19 goals and 31 assists for 50 points. Westergard also had 87 penalty minutes in the 41 games played before he was sent up to the Swedish Hockey League for Frolunda HC, where he prepared for the postseason with the club. In 11 games during that postseason, Westergard had a goal and two assists, which is big for just being brought up to the big stage.

Overall, there are many ways to use Westergard, who will have turned out to be a steal in the near future.

Luke Vlooswyk: A-

To finish the fifth round of the draft, the Flyers selected a right-handed defenseman in Vlooswyk, who just so happens to be 6’5″.

Vlooswyk spent three years with the Red Deer Rebels, where he started off slow as he only played eight games in two years, recording a goal and an assist each. It wasn’t until this past season that his skills really began to develop. Vlooswyk played 68 games, scoring 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points with a rating of +8. These stats are very good for the 18-year-old defenseman.

With a team that lacks defense, this move is also a steal considering the Flyers’ needs. This is a perfect pick for Briere.

Nathan Quinn: A+

Another outstanding pick, as the Flyers finally selected the all-important right-handed center Quinn out of the QMJHL. Quinn, at 17 years old, just finished his second season with the Quebec Remparts, which was a massive success.

In 54 games played for Quinn, he scored 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points. This is a great stat line for the young player he is. The fact that the Flyers found a young, right-handed center who has major talent at the spot they did is impressive work that has been palpable throughout the entire draft for Briere and the front office.

Flyers 2025 Draft Class: A

Overall, the Flyers draft class receives an A, as many of their later pick have the potential to become something bigger than a fifth-round or sixth-round pick. The front office made good moves early on, as well, as Martone will find himself in the orange and black sooner rather than later. The Flyers’ 2025 NHL Draft ranks among the top in the league.

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