Flyers Choose 7 New Prospects; Here’s What You Need to Know

The Philadelphia Flyers and General Manager Daniel Briere entered the 2024 NHL Draft with 10 potential draft picks on the table. In a bold move, Briere traded both of the Flyers’ first-round picks to move back and secure draft capital for the 2025 NHL Draft. The front office executed multiple pick swaps, resulting in an exciting new group of prospects. Here’s what you need to know about them:

1st round, 13th overall: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm

The Flyers entered the 2024 NHL Draft aggressively by trading a selection with the Minnesota Wild to acquire a 2025 third-round pick and the 13th overall pick, and using it to sign 17-year-old Jett Luchanko from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to select. . He is known for his incredible speed on the ice.

His floor and how well he performed at the NHL Combine is extremely impressive and promising considering how young he is. As he gets older he will be able to expand and get even stronger.

Despite playing for the struggling Guelph Storm in the OHL, he had an excellent season, scoring 20 goals and adding 54 assists for 74 points in 68 games. While he may not be considered a typical top-15 pick, his exceptional skating ability and strong work ethic make him a promising prospect.

Luchanko is a quick and skilled two-way center with a lot of potential. He is expected to complement Matvei Michkov well and contribute to the team’s success if he can fulfill his potential.

2nd round, 51st overall: Jack Berglund, C/LW, Färjestad BK J20

Jack Berglund, 18, is a promising two-way player in the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, he’s not afraid to compete for puck position or create space. Berglund has an aggressive edge, reminiscent of Wayne Simmonds, and excels at closing down the front of the net, which is crucial on special teams.

While Berglund may not be a game-changing force, he shows great composure and effectiveness in every aspect of his game. He possesses excellent awareness and positioning in all three zones, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a well-rounded 60-yard game. His goal-oriented and intense style of play helps him excel at doing the little things well.

Berglund scored 15 goals and 19 assists for the Färjestad BK J20 team in 41 games played. He seems like a good fit for what the Flyers want to build and has the potential to be a top player, similar to John Tortorella’s style.

2nd round, 59th overall: Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Océanic

The Flyers’ front office has been clear about their desire for young, emerging players, and they have placed a lot of emphasis on the U18 World Junior Championship. Four of the Flyers’ top picks had impressive performances during the tournament, boosting their draft prospects. One of these players is 17-year-old defender Spencer Gill. While he may not have scored heavily, his dynamism and confidence at the back has caught the attention of scouts.

Gill scored 12 goals and 46 points in 65 games for the Oceanic last season, which tied for the team lead in points scored by a defenseman. At just 17 years old, Gill shows a lot of promise. At 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, he is expected to grow even more as he ages.

He displays impressive balance, a high hockey IQ and agility for his size, and shows great speed and mobility both with and without the puck. Gill excels at finding open lanes, exploiting opposition in transition and pushing defenders back when entering the offensive zone. He has a strong play-reading ability and possesses NHL-level vision, knowing when to get on the offensive plays to keep the puck in play and when to focus on defense without being overly aggressive.

4th round, 107 overall: Heikki Ruohonen, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints

Heikki Ruohonen, 17, was selected with the first overall pick in the 2024 USHL Draft and will join the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He is a talented power forward known for his impressive performances in both the domestic season and on the international stage for Finland. During his time with the U20 SM-sarja, he scored 20 goals, made 27 assists and collected 47 points in 37 games. Scouts had the opportunity to observe his skills during the WJC-18, where he recorded 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games.

At 6’5″ tall and 180 pounds, he has a muscular build and strong skating ability, complemented by physicality in both attack and defense, and a keen awareness of the three zones. Because of his size, awareness and playing style, Ruohonen is in some ways a potential future NHL player.

His attacking skills have improved significantly over the past year. Although not initially recognized by many clubs, he has grown into a promising prospect with the potential to become a third-line center, with the floor of a top-six player and a great chance to reach his full potential in the National Hockey League (NHL).

5th round, 148th overall: Noah Powell, RW, Ohio State Univ.

Noah Powell, 19, rejoined the USHL this year after a much better season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Not only did he lead his team in goals, but he led the entire league in scoring with 43 goals and 74 points in 61 games.

Powell is a big power forward at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he compliments his body well. He plays with courage and plays a tough game low in the corners or in front of the net. Not only does he have a well-rounded shot, he also gets around the net and scores in many different ways.

The biggest knock against Powell is his skating ability, which seems to be one of the only drawbacks when you look at his game. He has a knack for scoring highlight-reel goals and is a creative artist with the puck.

6th round, 173rd overall: Ilya Pautov, RW, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva

Ilya Pautov, 18, made a name for himself in the MHL in Russia towards the end of the year by making significant improvements in all aspects of his game. He is a skilled player with good hands and creativity, but his skating mechanics, especially for a smaller player, need to be improved. In the 2023-24 season, he will score 13 goals and have 45 points in 46 games for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva.

Despite his 5-foot-11 and 168 pounds, Pautov is a dynamic winger with excellent hands and impressive vision. He may not be an exceptionally fast forward, but he moves fluidly and with purpose. He maneuvers constantly and uses his body to evade opponents. His puck-handling skills are advanced, allowing him to sneak past multiple defenders.

7th Round, 205th Overall: Austin Moline, D, Brooks Bandits

In their last selection in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Flyers selected 18-year-old Austin Moline of the Brooks Bandits of the BCHL. There may not seem to be much to get excited about on paper, but his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame is a major asset. He uses his height effectively to put pressure on opponents and force mistakes.

Moline doesn’t hesitate to contribute on the offensive side of the game. He consistently joins the attack or provides support as a trailer. Despite his size, he’s a mobile skater with reliable edge work. He prides himself on his passing ability, which helped him rack up 27 assists and 35 points this past season.