Flyers select 12 in Vancouver 2019-07-26 Philadelphia Flyers GM, Tommy Barr, recognised early in the offseason that the Team was in need of a revamp. There wasn’t enough quality to consider the team as playoff contenders. As a result the GM went out and made a splash with two high profile pre-draft trades – shipping out (their only?!) two quality pieces in Landeskog and Murray to acquire a number of picks and propsects which will shape the future of the club for years to come. The GM made two further draft day trades. The team made a total of 12 picks during the 2019 draft and have come back to Philadelphia very happy with their haul. The GM gave some analysis into each of those picks. BOWEN BYRAM (D) DRAFTED: 3rd DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 3rd TEAM/LEAGUE: Vancouver Giants Why we liked him? The Flyers needed to strengthen their defence going into this draft and with Byram they did just that. Byram is a projected No.1 defenceman with fantastic puck skills. He continued to improve throughout the season and just keeps getting better. TREVOR ZEGRAS (D) DRAFTED: 5th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 5th TEAM/LEAGUE: USNTDP Why we liked him? Centre was another position the Flyers looked to add some depth at and was a big reason why they went out and acquired the 5thoverall pick. They knew they were going to acquire a No.1 Centre with a number of options at this pick. Whilst the club had Turcotte ahead of Zegras on their board they were delighted with this selection. Zegras projects to be an elite playmaker. CAM YORK (D) DRAFTED: 15th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 12th TEAM/LEAGUE: USNTDP Why we liked him? Whilst York doesn’t stand out with anything particular, he does everything well. He was the No.2 defenceman on our board, has great poise on the puck and projects as a PP quarterback. NICHOLAS ROBERTSON (LW) DRAFTED: 36th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 36th TEAM/LEAGUE: Peterborough Petes Why we liked him? One of the youngest players in the draft. Skill level very high and has a high-end shot. Hope to be the scoring winger to compliment Zegras’ playmaking ability. NATHAN LEGARE (RW) DRAFTED: 67th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 45th TEAM/LEAGUE: Baie-Comeau Drakkar Why we liked him? Great scorer and plays a heavy game. Needs work on skating. NIKITA ALEXANDROV (C) DRAFTED: 81st DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 56th TEAM/LEAGUE: Charlottetown Islanders Why we liked him? Got the skill and hockey sense to be a NHL player. Like his offensive threat. RONNIE ATTARD (D) DRAFTED: 84th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 49th TEAM/LEAGUE: Tri-City Why we liked him? Whilst he has been passed over twice we couldn’t look over the fact the guy scored 30 goals from defence. Brings physical edge with his size. DOM FENSORE (D) DRAFTED: 90th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 52nd TEAM/LEAGUE: USNTDP Why we liked him? Very dynamic defenceman with lots of upside. Nice combination of size, skating and hockey sense. However lacks size so that may be a stumbling block in making it to the show. TYE FELHABER (LW) DRAFTED: 98th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: N/A – did not rank overagers TEAM/LEAGUE: Ottawa 67’s Why we liked him? Had a great season with Ottawa 67s. Signed a contract with the Dallas Stars and hope he competes for a spot at training camp. MIKHAIL ABRAMOV (C) DRAFTED: 112th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 65th TEAM/LEAGUE: Victoriaville Tigres Why we liked him? Big part of a bad Victoriaville’s offence this season. Hope his skills translate to the next level though there are size concerns. RHETT PITLICK (LW) DRAFTED: 120th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 57th TEAM/LEAGUE: Omaha Lancers Why we liked him? Good skater. Lots of energy and speed. Competes and battles well with bigger, taller players. LEEVI AALTONEN (LW) DRAFTED: 129th DRAFT BOARD RANKING: 75th TEAM/LEAGUE: Kalpa Why we liked him? Lots of upside but size may be a factor. Hope his skating and skills can lead to more. Looked good in his 7 game stint in Liiga.
