The Philadelphia Flyers currently own 11 draft picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. They have three first-round picks (#6, #22, and either #31 or #32), four second-round picks, one third-round pick, two fifth-round picks, and one sixth-round pick.
This year’s draft class is interesting because there appears to be no for-sure franchise-changing player. Now, you never know what can happen down the line in the future, but this class lacks the Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini type of franchise cornerstone.
The Flyers find themselves in an interesting situation with their first pick being at sixth overall. Sliding down two spots during the draft lottery was the worst-case scenario for Philadelphia, but they can still snag a pretty decent player at that spot. Plus, you never know if Daniel Briere will have any tricks up his sleeve to move up a spot or two.
Looking at the Flyers’ depth chart, the weakest position is center. The team lacks a true 1C and even a 2C. There’s a plethora of talented centers in this year’s class, and the Flyers could grab one at sixth overall.
There is one specific center who has been frequently mocked to the Flyers at sixth-overall, and that is Caleb Desnoyers of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. Caleb is the younger brother of current Lehigh Valley Phantoms forward Elliot Desnoyers.
Caleb Desnoyers is the seventh-ranked North American skater by NHL.com, and if the Flyers can select him, they could be walking away with a potential gem.
Strengths
With the Moncton Wildcats during the 2024-25 season, Desnoyers finished the regular season with 84 points (35G, 49A) in 56 games played, ranking him fifth in league scoring. Desnoyers helped lead the Wildcats to the 2025 QMJHL Championship and the semi-final of the Memorial Cup. He was also named MVP of the QMJHL playoffs.
Desnoyers stands tall at 6’2″ and weighs in at around 172 lbs. His two-way style of play and reliability as a center make him a premium prospect in this year’s draft. He’s not the most dazzling player, and you won’t see him making highlight reel plays every night, but he shines at making the simple hockey plays that contribute to overall team success.
His game is defined by his passing, offensive creativity, and physicality. Desnoyers can slow the game down when carrying the puck, allowing his teammates to create space for scoring chances. His high hockey IQ and versatility also allow him to play almost one step ahead of his opponents. He thrives on the power play with his passing ability, and he’s not afraid to battle in the dirty areas of the ice and around the net.
His size, skill, two-way play, and shutdown mentality give him all of the tools to be an effective top-6 center in the NHL.
Weaknesses
Desnoyers is a quick skater in a straight line, but his overall skating ability is one of his weaknesses. He lacks explosion during the first few strides, causing him to have to play catch-up if he loses the puck or needs to transition quickly. His size plays a factor in the lack of explosiveness and agility.
However, in whatever NHL organization he’s in, he’ll develop new tools and abilities to minimize those weaknesses, just like every prospect in the draft class.
Flyers Comparisons
When looking at Desnoyers’ height and style of play, an automatic NHL comparison for him is Flyers captain Sean Couturier. Some Flyers fans may grumble under their breath at that comparison, but Couturier was an elite two-way center during his prime years, and his Selke Trophy win in 2020 proved so.
When looking at both Desnoyers and Couturier, you automatically see the poise and vision both players possess. Couturier also isn’t the finest skater, but the plays he makes with and without the puck outweigh that area. Both players also excel in the shutdown center role.
A fit in Philadelphia?
If selected by the Flyers, Desnoyers will be a fit in Philadelphia. The Flyers lack a future 1C and even a 2C, and Desnoyers can fill one of those voids. Some mock drafts have him going as early as third overall, and some have him dropping past sixth overall.
Nobody knows how the cards will fall on draft night. If Desnoyers is still up for grabs when Daniel Briere goes to make the sixth-overall selection, it would be tough to pass up on a player like him.
Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
