With the Flyers’ heartbreaking final-minute regulation loss in Carolina Tuesday night, Philadelphia dropped like a heavy boulder to the bottom of the NHL standings due to the San Jose Sharks’ 2-1 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night. With nine standings points over their first 13 games, Philly has an NHL-low winning percentage at 34.6% trailing the Sharks (36%) and the Nashville Predators (38%).
There is minimal use in nitpicking these standings points after the first five weeks of the season. However, there is merit in looking toward the end of the season and reviewing the recent haul of NHL draft capital the Flyers have collected. If Philadelphia’s season continues on the current trajectory, the Flyers could be heavily involved at the top of a strong NHL draft class in 2025.
Flyers History with NHL’s Top Draft Selection
If their season were to end today, Philadelphia would hold a 25.5% chance for the ping pong balls to bounce their way for the top overall selection as the team with the least amount of accrued standings points. The Flyers have never drawn the No. 1 (or No. 3) overall selection(s) in the 57-year history of the franchise. Philadelphia landed the No. 2 overall pick twice selecting James van Riemsdyk in 2007 and Nolan Patrick in 2017.
In June 1975, Flyers General Manager Keith Allen hoped to create a dynasty following consecutive Stanley Cups by adding the best player available in the selection process. A week after lifting Lord Stanley’s trophy, Philadelphia traded for the top selection in the 1975 draft sending forward Bill Clement, defenseman Don McLean, and the final pick in the first round at No. 18th overall to the Washington Capitals in exchange for the No. 1 overall choice. Philadelphia selected Mel Bridgman who played 462 games for the Flyers between 1975-1981.
Philadelphia’s Favorable Early Odds in 2025
Based on trades made over the last calendar year, Flyers General Manager Daniel Briere has amassed up to three first-round, three second-round, and two third-round draft choices in the upcoming draft. With a potential of eight picks in the top 100 selections, Briere will either have the chance to move for a player the Flyers need to have or collect a bunch a handful of players expected to push the rebuild into high gear.
In the first round, Philadelphia holds the rights to their own draft choice, Colorado’s pick (maybe), and Edmonton’s selection (maybe). Colorado’s draft pick is top-10 protected and will transfer to Philly if the selection falls outside of those spots. The Oilers’ draft pick is transferable this year or next year at the discretion of Edmonton. Philly acquired the conditional first-round pick in exchange for No. 32 overall this past June in Las Vegas.
The second round features high-value players such as Flyers’ forward Bobby Brink, selected No. 34 overall in the second round of the 2019 draft. Philly still holds its selection, Columbus’s choice, and Anaheim’s draft slot in round two of the 2025 NHL Draft. With these picks assured, the Flyers will have at minimum five choices in the top 65 barring additional trades.
Anaheim, Colorado, Columbus, Edmonton, and Philadelphia are among the worst 16 teams in the NHL to start 2024. This makes those collected draft choices extremely valuable projecting towards June’s draft. If the season finishes with all of those teams still in the bottom half of the league, the Flyers could be looking at four (or up to six) picks in the top 50 players at the upcoming NHL draft next summer.
Despite the rebuild status, head coach John Tortorella is still intent on teaching his club how to play a winning style of hockey. While the early results might be lackluster in 2024, the greater gains are still to come as the Philadelphia coaching staff builds up a Flyers team that started as the fifth-youngest in the NHL to start the season.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
