The Philadelphia Flyers Beat The Odds In 2023 NHL Draft Lottery

The NHL will be holding the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery live at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, May 8. Tune in to ESPN for full coverage.

Date: Monday, May 8 (8 p.m. ET - ESPN)

With the Draft Lottery just a couple days way, here is a deep look into the real odds the Flyers have at coming away with something big in the upcoming draft. As the Flyers are in the seventh position and hold the following percentage for 1st overall: 6.5%.

Flyers fans can only hope for something magical on Monday night, as the city of Philadelphia is starved for memorizing talent. With players like Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Will Smith, in the draft and that's only to name a few.

Now, to look at this from a realistic stand point, Flyers fans have nothing to jump out of their seats about. Yes, it is still a top 10 pick guaranteed, but that's not want the faithful wanted. They wanted a very strong look at 1-5 or even 1-2.

Many analysts, Elliotte Friedman alike, thinks that Connor Bedard may land in Philadelphia. So there is still hope around the orange and black.

Connor Bedard is nothing short of sensational, and would be a great cornerstone to any team. The Flyers desperately need Connor to help move this team and the rebuild in the right direction. With the young depth and veteran guys in the locker room Bedard would be a great fit.

Bedard plays a lot like Claude Giroux, in the sense that neither of them are afraid to get into dirty areas and play tough hockey. Even though they're smaller, they know when and how to throw their bodies around. As well at the same time helping their teams on the score sheet, as well on and off the ice.

Now without all the dreaming and praying the Flyers best chance is at a later draft pick. 7-8 pick to be exact. So who do the Flyers take?

Jamey Baskow - Flyers/Phantoms Writer for Flyers Nitty Gritty believes,
Dalibor Dvorsky is the answer.

«Dalibor Dvorsky, I actually think he has one of the most underrated shots in the draft, coupled with good skating. He can be a force to be reckoned with for years with the orange and black, as they continue to surf for pure shooters. This is it, however, don't be surprised if Zach Benson falls to the Flyers.»

Obviously as you get longer into a draft, certain picks can become less no brainers and more toss ups. In this case the 7th-8th picks can be anywhere from glorious or questionable. Players like, Will Smith who was rumoured to fall to 7th overall and would be a great asset to the Flyers organization. Will plays along side current Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier in Boston College, Smith, at the USNTDP Juniors (USHL), put up 42 points in just 20 games.

As well, Matvei Michkov, who is battling the lose of his father is unfortunately a big question mark. As it is unclear if teams will pass on his amazing potential due to his loss and things going on in Russia at the moment. Which is truly unfortunate ass the kid was projected 2nd-3rd overall in this years draft. In 2019-20 with Lokomotiv 2004 Russia, Michkov put up 109 points with 70 assists in just 26 games. Hopefully the young star can use his father as momentum and building block, may he have an incredible career wherever he lands.
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Looking at the numbers and the NHL Draft Lottery rules, here is what you need to know:

The odds for the remaining teams will increase on a proportionate basis for the 2nd Lottery Draw, which is determined by the team who wins the 1st Lottery Draw.

The Flyers are only eligible to receive the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, or 9th pick, pending lottery results.

DRAFT LOTTERY RULES:

This year's NHL Draft Lottery will be two draws.

The Draft Lottery is only for the 16 teams that did not make the cut into the playoffs (or teams that have acquired the first-round drafting positions from those non-playoff teams).

There is a limit on the total number of selections a team participating in the Draft Lottery can move up, in the event a team wins one of the Lottery Draws, which is a MAX of 10 positions - meaning:

Only Top 11 seeds will be eligible to receive 1st overall. Only Top 12 seeds will be eligible to move up to 2nd overall.

If a team in the 12-16 range wins the 1st drawing, the 1st pick will remain with the team with the lowest win percentage. (same rules apply to 2nd drawing for teams from 13-16 range).

If this is confusing, don't be discouraged. It will all make sense come Monday night, and it will seem and look a lot more similar watching live.

LUCK OF THE DRAW:

In the last seven years there have been five occasions where at least one team hit from outside the Top 5.
In all those years since the Draft Lottery's inception, a team has moved up from their original position to pick in the Top 1-3 spots.

In four of the last six years, a team outside the Top 10, with less than a 4% chance, has hit to move into the Top 3. This of course including the Flyers.

Flyers hit a 2.2% chance in 2017 and moved from 13th to 2nd overall.
This would be the problematic and controversial drafting of Nolan Patrick.

Now looking at the Flyers total Draft Picks this year:

First: 1
Second: 2
Third: 2 (FLA & NYR)
Fourth: 2 (EDM)
Fifth: 1
Sixth 2 (OTT)
Seventh: 1

The real fun begins on Wednesday, June 28. As the first Round of the 2023 NHL Draft begins at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tenn. (7 p.m. ET/ESPN)

Round two-seven starts on Thursday, June 29 (11 a.m. ET/NHL Network)