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Flyers’ Flahr Has Mixed Bag In Drafts, Needs A Home Run In Latest One

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The Philadelphia Flyers desperately need their 2025 NHL draft class to be highly productive if their rebuild is going to show progression.

They took some big swings (Porter Martone) and some gambles (Jack Nesbitt) while adding some needed size. How it all turns out down the road will help define a franchise that has been stuck in neutral for way too long.

Brent Flahr, assistant GM, has had a mixed record since the Flyers hired him in December 2018 and have had him heading their draft board since 2019.

Hired by then-GM Chuck Fletcher, Flahr has overseen seven drafts with the Flyers, including this year’s.

During that time, he has had some good draft selections (Tyson Foerster in 2020), some puzzling ones (Cam York over Cole Caufield in 2019) and some that turned out superbly (Matvei Michkov in 2023).

He also made a wise choice, but as it turned out, set back the franchise by selecting Cutter Gauthier in 2022. Gauthier looks like a future star. The problem is he forced the Flyers to trade him because he didn’t want to play in Philadelphia.

Here’s a look at the Flahr-led drafts during his Flyers tenure:

2019

This will forever be known as the draft in which the Flyers bypassed Caufield. Twice. 

In hindsight, the decision isn’t as disastrous because of Bobby Brink’s development. Still, the decision to bypass Caufield stings.

Caufield was an electric scorer going into that draft, but the Flyers questioned his lack of size at 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds. He has proven his stature didn’t matter. 

The right winger, drafted 15th overall, has been a big-time scorer for the Montreal Canadiens ever since he became a full-time player in 2021-22. In the past four seasons, he has scored 23, 26, 28 and 37 goals for the Canadiens.

Instead of drafting Caufield, Fletcher made two deals and got two players early in the 2019 draft: York and Brink. The latter is a smallish player regarded as Caufield lite. York is still developing but has been mediocre, while Brink had 12 goals and 41 points last season, both career bests.

Would you rather have York and Brink over Caufield? Probably not. 

Flahr gets a C-minus in this draft.

2020

Flahr took right winger Foerster at 23rd overall. Defenseman Emil Andrae was taken 54th and has a chance to be a regular. 

You can quibble that the Flyers should have taken right winger JJ Peterka instead of Foerster, but the latter has been very solid. Peterka, a German, was taken 34th overall by the Buffalo Sabres and has scored 28 and 27 goals over the past two seasons, respectively. Foerster scored 20 goals as a rookie and 25 goals last season.

Give Flahr a B-plus for his first-round pick in this draft.

2021

The Flyers didn’t have a first-rounder in this draft but selected Samu Tuomaala in the second round and goalie Aleksei Kolosov in the third. 

Among the players who were available when Tuomaala was chosen 46th overall: Matthew Knies (29 goals this past season with the Toronto Maple Leafs), Logan Stankoven (14 goals) and productive defenseman J.J. Moser. Tuomaala has been up and down with the AHL Lehigh Valley.

Flahr gets a C in this draft.

The Calgary Flames And The League Among The Winners And Losers From The 2025 NHL DraftThe Calgary Flames And The League Among The Winners And Losers From The 2025 NHL DraftIt almost feels impossible to designate winners and losers on the day that the NHL draft goes down. The whole point of the NHL draft is to build for the future, and with the inexact science that is the NHL draft, no one really knows who won and lost the day the picks are made. 

2022

For the Flyers, this draft included Gauthier (fifth overall) and Alex Bump (fifth round, 133rd overall).

In fairness, Gauthier didn’t tell the Flyers he didn’t want to play for them until a few months after the NHL draft, so Flahr and the rest of the draft board should be absolved. If they had known, the Flyers might have chosen center Marco Kasper, who went eighth to the Detroit Red Wings. That would have changed the dynamics of where the center-needy Flyers are today. 

In his first full season, Kasper had 19 goals last year and blossomed into the Red Wings’ No. 2 center.

Give Flahr a B-plus for this draft.

2023

This is Flahr’s best draft. By far. 

Besides taking star-in-the-making Michkov with the seventh overall pick, the Flyers added to their future nucleus by drafting Oliver Bonk (first round, 22nd overall), Carson Bjarnason (second round), Denver Barkey (third round) and goalie Egor Zavragin (third round).

Bravo, Mr. Flahr. He gets an A-plus for this draft.

2024

Speedy center Jett Luchanko (13th overall) was the Flyers’ top pick, and the jury is still out on him after a strong OHL season in 2024-25. He doesn’t turn 19 until Aug. 21. Flahr’s grade for this draft is incomplete.

Porter Martone and Gary Bettman (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

2025

The Flyers chose right winger Martone sixth overall, and the power forward has drawn comparisons to the hard-nosed Tkachuk brothers, Matthew and Brady, so it’s hard to argue with the pick. 

That said, Philly desperately needed a future No.1 center, and bypassing James Hagens raised some eyebrows. Philadelphia fans will watch closely the development of Martone and Hagens. 

Flahr’s biggest gamble was trading two late first-round picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins to move up to No. 12, where the Flyers selected 6-foot-5 center Nesbitt. Most draft experts rated in the mid-20s to high 30s – Ryan Kennedy had him ranked 20th, while Tony Ferrari had him 51st. He is regarded as a future third-line center.

Flahr’s grade for this draft won’t be known for a few years. He did add size – lots of size – and talent later in the draft, so the hope is that not getting a future No. 1 center won’t haunt him.

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NHL Free Agency: Blues Should Have Clear Top Target

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The start of free agency is just about here, so it is going to be a very busy time in the NHL. The St. Louis Blues will certainly be a team to watch once free agency opens, as they should be looking to add to their roster after their successful 2024-25 season. 

One of the Blues' clear top needs is another skilled center. Due to this, they should have a clear top target once July 1 is here - Dallas Stars forward Mikael Granlund.

Given the Stars' current salary cap situation, the expectation is that Granlund will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). When noting that Sam Bennett, John Tavares, and Ryan Donato have all re-signed with their current clubs, Granlund is now arguably the best pending UFA center left. Thus, the Blues should seriously consider pursuing him if he officially hits the market.

When looking at Granlund's numbers from this past season, he would be a realistic option for the Blues' second-line center spot and power play if signed. In 83 games split between the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, he posted 22 goals, 44 assists, and 66 points. Yet, he is also known for his smart two-way play, so he would also give the Blues another player to work on their penalty kill if brought in. 

On a short-term deal, Granlund would be a very good player for the Blues to sign as they look to take another step forward in 2025-26. It will be intriguing to see if they make a push for Granlund this summer from here.

 

NHL Rumors: Insider Names New Potential Suitor For Jordan Kyrou NHL Rumors: Insider Names New Potential Suitor For Jordan Kyrou All eyes will be on St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou during the final days of June. This is because his full no-trade clause until the end of the 2029-30 season starts on July 1. Thus, if the Blues want to move him, now would be the time to. 

Photo Credit:  © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Report: Maple Leafs Are Frontrunners For Brad Marchand If He Hits Open Market, Could Still Re-Sign With Panthers

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If Brad Marchand hits the open market on Tuesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly be among several teams interested in the forward's services. And likely one of the frontrunners to land him.

The Athletic and TSN insider Pierre LeBrun reported on Sunday morning that while Marchand could return to Florida, the Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, his former club, hope to speak with the forward if he's a free agent on July 1.

Further to that report, TSN's Darren Dreger appeared on TSN 1050's First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo on Monday morning, adding to LeBrun's report, which came a day earlier.

"This is very much a personal decision. The family influence is strong for Brad Marchand, his wife, and his children. I mean, most still believe he's going to stay in Florida, that Bill Zito's going to find a way to get it done," Dreger said.

"As Pierre LeBrun alluded to, I believe yesterday on X, there's a world where you could see Marchand going back to Boston. And if that happens, I suspect that the term would be longer, not that it would play out, but primarily, that decision, if it went that way, would be because of what I just said. Just the pull of family, right?

"But Toronto is in the conversation, no doubt about it. As long as Toronto can be in the conversation. If all of a sudden, on the open market tomorrow, Brad Marchand says I need $8.5-9 million from the Maple Leafs, I'm not so sure they can make that happen."

Golden Knights Trade Nic Hague To Predators: What It Means For Maple Leafs And Mitch Marner Trade TalksGolden Knights Trade Nic Hague To Predators: What It Means For Maple Leafs And Mitch Marner Trade TalksAs speculation intensifies around a potential trade of Mitch Marner's negotiating rights from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Vegas Golden Knights, one potential trade piece is now off the table. Early Monday morning, multiple reports surfaced that Golden Knights defenseman Nic Hague was being dealt to the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and forward Colton Sissons. Hague is also expected to sign a four-year extension worth $5.5 million per season.

Dreger also reported on X that the Utah Mammoth could be a team that targets the veteran forward if he becomes a free agent.

Everyone remembers Marchand's Stanley Cup playoff with the Florida Panthers: 10 goals (two of which were overtime winners), 10 assists for 20 points in 23 games, and the moment he lifted the cup over his head again.

Matthew Knies Avoids Restricted Free Agency, Inks Long-Term Deal With Maple Leafs: 6 Years, $7.75M AAVMatthew Knies Avoids Restricted Free Agency, Inks Long-Term Deal With Maple Leafs: 6 Years, $7.75M AAVMatthew Knies will be a Toronto Maple Leaf for six more years.

Though at 37 years old, you have to wonder how much longer Marchand can play to that standard. However, teams like the Maple Leafs, who are in win-now mode, aren't really looking at the age factor too much. They want a Stanley Cup, and it appears they believe Marchand can help get them there.

"As far as I can gather, the Leafs’ biggest bet on July 1 is apparently going to be an attempt to sign Brad Marchand," The Athletic's James Mirtle wrote. "That would obviously eat up a huge percentage of their remaining cap space — likely in the $8 million range — with the understanding the 37-year-old would be a big part of their top-six for the next few years."

We'll see what transpires over the next 24 hours regarding Marchand's future, Mitch Marner's negotiation rights, which could be traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, and Matthew Knies' extension, that's not been made official yet.

If Mitch Marner Leaves in Free Agency, Could the Maple Leafs Pursue Tampering Charges?If Mitch Marner Leaves in Free Agency, Could the Maple Leafs Pursue Tampering Charges?Just when you thought Mitch Marner’s seemingly inevitable exit from Toronto couldn’t get more nasty, a new report has emerged. The Toronto Maple Leafs may be preparing to take action.

It's going to be a wild pre and start to free agency, which begins at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

(Top photo: John E. Sokolowski / Imagn Images)