The upcoming NHL Draft has Philadelphia Flyers fans pumped and ready to go, for good reason, as the team holds the 11th pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. This has the billing to be one of the most anticipated drafts in recent memory for the organization. What will the newly crowned General Manager in Chuck Fletcher do with the 11th pick?
Hopefully, the Flyers can become a more consistent hockey team next season, as the Flyers faithful hope to rejoice with a parade down Broad Street in a few years. People can already hear the voice of the iconic Gene Hart saying, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Flyers are going to win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers win the Stanley Cup! The Flyers have won the Stanley Cup!.” This draft can be one key to the Flyers immediate success. Without further delay here is my seven round Flyers Mock draft.
Round 1: (Pick 11) C/RW, Cole Caulfield
For the second straight year, the Flyers draft a stud with their first pick. This pick was a toss-up between a Right-Handed Defenseman in Victor Soderstrom, Alex Newhook, Cam York, Peyton Krebs, Vasili Podkolzin, or Philip Broberg. Caulfield’s skating, and the way he finishes plays are just too hard for the orange and black to pass up.
Caulfield is a skating machine and is a true sniper that the Flyers need at this time. For the 2018-19 season, while playing for the USNTDP Junior team in the USHL, he amassed 29 goals, and 12 assists for a total of 41 points in 28 games played. Moreover, Caulfield had an amazing WJC U18 tournament for the United States registering 14 goals, and 4 assists in 7 games played. This really has placed him on the map as a player to be reckoned with.
This young prospect in Caulfield has committed to the University of Wisconsin for the 2019-20 season and joins fellow Flyer prospect Wyatt Kalynuk with the Badgers.
Moreover, if a person has watched Caulfield play for the USNTDP Junior team this past season, then one would notice his smooth silky hands. He is a natural goal scorer and an aggressive two-way winger that seems to play with an edge. Caulfield’s best attribute for the orange and black is the way he finishes plays. He takes the puck up the ice and puts the biscuit in the basket. Caulfield has evolved into a solid two-way player at his young age, and he reminds me of Danny Briere as he stands at 5’7.” Flyers fans know all too well how Briere’s career eventually ended up with the orange and black.
This pick yet again shows the NHL that Flyers will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come, as Caulfield restocks the Flyers cupboard on the Wing, especially Right-Wing in particular. The proud orange-clad Philly fans will have plenty to cheer about when they announce Caulfield’s name with the 11th pick, and there will be plenty of Let’s Go Flyers chants to along with the cheering, as well.
Round 2: (Pick 41), RHD, Lassi Thomson
This pick is a valuable strong pick in the Second Round. The Flyers are in desperate need of a Right-Handed Defenseman that possesses skill, and Thomson definitely provides that.
Thomson stands at 6’0″, and is a 190 pound, high-octane-Defenseman. He’s a big skilled Defenseman that plays a consistent game. Thomson can also clear the porch with the best of them, and Flyers fans know full well the team is dire need of someone who possesses that skill.
“I’m so excited to get drafted, and that means lot to me. I’m sure that the fans will enjoy my heavy slap shot, and my coast to coast rises…I’m always smiling.” Thomson stated in our exclusive interview above.
The young prospect in Thomson enjoyed a career year for the Kelowna Rockets in 2018-19. For the season, he tallied 17 goals, and 24 assists for 41 points in 63 games played. He is flashy with his skating ability, and Thomson does a good job with transitioning out of the Defensive zone.
Round 3: (Pick 65) RW, C Mikhail Abramov
Abramov is a sturdy powerful Right Winger, and is willing to take a beating on his way to the net. He picks his spot in the front of the net, and places his stick in the right position to tip pucks home. Right Wingers will be an area of need for the Flyers in the future, so restocking the cupboard is necessary at the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Flyers could benefit from a fearless player that is willing to sacrifice his body for a dirty goal. If one saw Abramov play this past season for the Victoriaville Tigres, then they would have noticed his good pair of hands. Abramov has a lethal wrist shot, to go with his good vision of the ice, as well. For the season, he registered 16 goals, and 38 assists for a total of 54 points in 62 games played. He was just simply dominant from the first puck drop to start the season.
In addition, Abramov can board battle with the best of them, and that is an area of need for the orange and black. If Abramov puts in the work like he says he will watch out this kid can be a stud, “I focus on more work, and am hard-working. I really focus on hard-work, as this is important.”
Round 3: (Pick 72) RW, Sasha Mutala
Mutala is a 6’1″, 196-pound lumberjack that plays for the Tri-City Americans. While playing for the Americans he has really become a force to be reckoned with.
The Americans product, Mutala is a skilled Right-Winger that makes players better. He can fore-check with the best of them, and Mutala creates a ton of turnovers in the process. Mutala has his eye on the prize that’s for sure, “My ultimate goal has always been to win a Stanley Cup. It’s hockey’s ultimate prize, and even some NHL players never win it.”
Mutala uses his blazing speed and gritty hard-work to his advantage. For the 2018-19 season, he registered 20 goals, and 21 assists for a total of 41 points in 65 games played. He really is a solid two-way player, that transitions from zone to zone well. Mutala never gives up on a play and has a heart of Gold.
