The Philadelphia Flyers playoff fate will no doubt come no later than the end of the weekend. With only six games left in their season heading into Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders, and reality setting in, it’s time to take an early look at the Flyers potential draft picks at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft this coming June.
The Flyers biggest need heading into the draft is scoring wingers. On the Flyers depth chart the need is greater for left wingers rather than right. One the current roster no player has 10 goals or more while on the right side of the rink the Flyers have three 
players in in double digits.
The top dogs in this year’s draft will have a very European look but Nolan Patrick still looks like he is at the top of this year’s draft class, followed closely by Switzerland’s own Nico Hischier. Don’t expect anyone to be able to trade up to take either one. Whatever teams get the first two picks overall they will take either player. After both are off the board the draft is pretty much a crapshoot, especially with the new Vegas Golden Knights franchise entering this year’s draft.
In the league standings the Flyers are hovering around 20th overall. Last season the Flyers drafted 22nd overall but they did drop down a few spots to get there. Still here are some names to keep in the back of your mind if you’re a Flyers fan.
Owen Tippett RW Mississauga (OHL) – If a player has 44 goals in 60 games and is fifth in the OHL in scoring you better believe you are going to be on most team’s radar. Still, don’t expect him to get past the top 5 picks.
Michael Rasmussen C Tri City (WHL) – Depending on who you listen to people Rasmussen is either 6 foot 5 or 6 foot 6 inches tall. When you’re his size does it really matter? Rasmussen is listed as a center or winger and the Flyers love players who can do both so if he falls into the Flyers lap it won’t take long to run their draft card up to Gary Bettman.
Cody Glass C/RW Portland (WHL) – He is built more like Tippett than Rasmussen but is versatile so that gives him an edge. A definite to be on the Flyers radar come draft day.
Klim Kostin C/RW Russia – In PHN’s opinion Kostin should be the most realistic of the players we’ve mentioned that could fall to the Flyers, and it’s hard to believe given their history with the Russians that the team could draft a Russian born player for the third year in a row. In 2016 the Flyers selected German Rubtsov 22nd overall and Ivan Provorov 7th overall in 2015. Kostin looked very good in this year’s World Junior Championships.
Maxime Comtois LW Victoriaville (QMJHL) – A left winger with a left handed shot, what a concept. While he is not big for a power forward he plays like one. Expect Comtois to be given a long look at by Flyers scouts and brass.
Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RW Kristian Vesalainen, LW/RWKristian Vesalainen – LW/RW Sweden – Another big winger the Flyers will definitely covet. He should be available but he is considered a dark horse considering the Flyers need for a top flight scorer.
Isaac Ratcliffe LW Guelph (OHL) – Another big winger is a dark horse to be taken where the Flyers project to be picking. If somehow the Flyers make the playoffs and they fall in the draft Ratcliffe could very well be the pick.
Matthew Strome, LW, Hamilton (OHL) Matthew Strome, LW, Hamilton (OHL)Matthew Strome LW Hamilton (OHL) – In recent years the name Strome has become a fixture at the NHL Entry Draft with two older brothers already in the NHL. There is a good bet he won’t fall past the Flyers at this year’s draft.
Nikita Popugaev, LW, Prince George (WHL)Nikita Popugaev Prince George (WHL)LW Prince George (WHL) – An early favorite to be in a Flyers uniform has for whatever the reason has had his stock drop as the season went along. Like Ratcliffe he is a dark horse but a good one at that given his size and scoring ability.
You can reach Brian at his twitter page @flyesfan22
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