The Philadelphia Flyers Could Land Their Top Prospects Linemate?

With the exception of the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights, whose first-round pick is owned by the Montreal Canadiens, the draft order appears to be mostly set. The top 3 picks are expected to be Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, and Leo Carlsson. Matvei Michkov, another highly regarded prospect, carries concerns due to his contractual obligations in the KHL. However, it is unlikely he will fall beyond the top 6 picks, with teams like the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, and Arizona Coyotes looking to turn their fortunes around.

For the Flyers, landing Will Smith would provide them with a potential future top-line center. Smith's exceptional performance for the U.S. National U18 Team, scoring 51 goals and 127 points in just 60 games, makes him an enticing prospect. Alternatively, they could target his teammate Ryan Leonard, who possesses similar qualities to Cutter Gauthier.

Recent drafts have seen a decline in the number of Canadian players selected in the first round, with European and American talents gaining prominence. The influx of American prospects, particularly from the Big Ten and the USHL, has been notable in recent years. Smith's impressive playmaking abilities and Leonard's versatile skills make them attractive options for the Flyers. While Smith's potential selection is projected in the 4-5 range, Leonard's availability is more certain. Both players' contributions could elevate the Flyers' offensive capabilities in the near future.

The Flyers' focus on the USNTDP pipeline continues, leveraging the familiarity of Gauthier and Boston College.

This upcoming season presents an exciting prospect for the team's talented prospects, with Gauthier expected to join the lineup in 2024-25.

Source: Flyersnation Dean Chaudhry