Expert's mock draft has the Flyers going off board with the fifth selection
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O. EngJune 8, 2022 (8:48)
With the NHL combine and World Championships now done, Corey Pronman of The Athletic has compiled his mock draft 1-32 and his pick at 5th overall will surprise you.
Here's his top-5:
At 1, Pronman has the Habs taking the consensus or rather "consensus" first overall pick Shane Wright. The Habs need center help and adding a guy who just two years ago had exceptional status in the OHL is not a bad move.
At 2, Pronman believes that the Devils will take Juraj Slafkovsky but also mentions them as a team that is most likely to go take a defenceman.
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"Presuming Wright goes No. 1, I do think this will be Slafkovsky. If Wright doesn't go first things could get interesting."
At 3, he has the Coyotes adding Logan Cooley to their incredibly deep prospect pool. He also notes however that if any of the top three guys, those being Wright, Slafkovsky or Cooley are available, they will be Arizona's pick at three.
At 4, he has the Kraken taking Simon Nemec.
"Nemec is a player who makes a lot of sense for what the Kraken are building, and he will become an important part of their future alongside Matty Beniers."
Lastly, at 5, Pronman has the Flyers selecting American center/left winger Cutter Gauthier.
"As a tall, quick, skilled, competitive forward who can play the middle or wing he won't last long, especially since a lot of teams seem to think he could be an NHL center. I could see Nemec or David Jiricek as options here too, but Gauthier could be a dynamic young center with size that the Flyers would covet."
Gauthier is 6'3, 201 lbs and playing with the USNDTP Juniors last year, he had 19 goals in 22 games.
"Gauthier is the top contender outside of the consensus names to break into the top five, as he has fans in the scouting world who think he's a clear top 5 pick, if not a top 3, and some who aren't close to as sold."
His ability and willingness to play center has many scouts salivating at the potential he has.
Next season, Gauthier will play at BC and develop even further in the NCAA. He is exact build Fletcher and the Flyers adore and would help the team a ton.
Would you take him over Savoie, Kemell and Geekie at 5?
Credit: The Athletic
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