2022 Draft
There are a couple prospects in the upcoming draft that the Flyers could benefit from acquiring, being Logan Cooley, Matt Savoie, Simon Nemec and Juraj Slavkovsky. I am going to break down these players in a short manner resulting, in my opinion, who the Flyers could use more in their current situation. So, buckle up and get ready to learn something you beautiful sons of bee stings!
Logan Cooley
Photo Credit - Chris Tanouye/HHOF-IIHF Images
Logan is a 5’10, 174lbs, 18 year old left handed center from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. His 2021/22 season was spent playing with the U.S. National Development Team, where he had 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points in 24 games played with a +/- of 19. So, in a nutshell, we’d be re-drafting Morgan Frost with less junior hockey experience under his belt. Morgan Frost’s 17 and 18 year old years racked him 132 games played with a very exceptional amount of difference in goals, assists and points compared to Logan. I am in no way saying Logan isn’t or will be a top notch center for whatever team ends up drafting him this year but as far as the Flyers taking him? I would go with a no solely for the fact of having too many centers as is. Now, if we plan on unloading some of said centers, I’m all for it but as of now, it’s going to be a no from me.
2. Simon Nemec
Photo Credits - ism-sports.sk
Simon is a 6’0, 183lbs 19 year old, right handed defenseman from Slovakia. His past year was spent playing for MHC Nitra in Slovakia and netted 1 goal, 25 assists and 26 points in 39 games played. Now, this is a solid pick for the Flyers, just for the single fact of the desperation for a stud rhd for the past couple seasons. Ryan Ellis was suppose to be the knight in shining armor when it came to this and hasn’t been up to snuff due to injuries. Fumbling around with replacements and finding someone for Ivan Provorov to play with, was found to be probably the most challenging feat of this season. Simon is only going to get bigger and better so for the Flyers, I’d say to snag this kid before defensive heavy teams like Boston set their sights on him.
3. Juraj Slafkovsky
Photo Credits - Getty Images
Juraj is a 6’4, 218lbs 18 year old left handed left winger, from Kosice, Slovakia. He played his previous season with TPS Turku in the SM-Iiiga league, accumulating 5 goals, 5 assists and 10 points in 31 games played. Juraj is the hot topic of this draft year other than Shane Wright, who is most likely being taken by the Habs. To be honest, I think he could help the Flyers but getting him would depend on what coach we hire and what the plan is. Whether it’s an aggressive re-tool or a fire sale of the entire team, would determine whether the bronze medal winner would make his way to Philadelphia but for me, for now, I say no. There’s just not enough experience there and I think drafting players that could possibly be AHL starters or even NHL part timers, is the right way to go regardless of what the plan for the current is.
4. Matthew Savoie
Photo Credits - Zachary Peters
Matthew is a 5’9, 175 lbs 18 year old, right shooting center, who spent his last season mopping it up with the Winnipeg Ice WHL franchise. His 2021/22 season racked 35 goals, 55 assists and 90 points in 65 games played with a +/- of 32. Now, I know I said the Flyers have enough centers but with stats like these, Matt can’t be ignored in this years draft. From what I’ve seen, he’s been flying under the radar. I said before, we need a sniper and this is my finalist when it comes to this year’s draft. Just from his goals and assists, he’d prove to be a huge asset to the franchise, whether it’s in Philadelphia or Lehigh Valley. They both need help in all departments and that is evident.
These players are the top ones I’ve noticed getting the most attention so far and in my opinion, these moves would move the needle in a positive or negative way. All in all, at the end of the day, there are some seriously talented players around the 5th pick of the 1st round of this year’s draft. Hopefully, we don’t pull a Nolan Patrick instead of Cale Makar move that clearly didn’t pan out right now the Philadelphia Flyers or the Vegas Golden Knights.
Jesse Bell - Flyers Alley/Olde City Sports Network
