The Philadelphia Flyers had seven picks in the first two rounds 10 days before this weekend’s NHL Draft. After landing Porter Martone, trading up to get Jack Nesbitt, and making some more moves in the second round (Jack Murtagh, Carter Amico, Shane Vansaghi and Matthew Gard), the Flyers ended up receiving some high praise from those in the know regarding the annual draft. Here then is a round-up of what some were saying regarding what Danny Briere, Brent Flahr and the scouting staff were able to achieve Friday night and Saturday.
Corey Pronman, The Athletic:
“The Flyers got Porter Martone with their first pick. He was my third-rated player overall in the draft, and someone who I think, despite his subpar skating, has the makings of a potential first-line winger with size. They then proceeded to trade up to pick Jack Nesbitt. I’m a fan of Nesbitt’s game. I agree with their assessment that he could be a second-line center, again with size, even if I wouldn’t have traded up to get him; I do understand their pressing need for centers, though. Those were two premium pieces Philadelphia acquired early on Day 1. The Flyers added a lot of size in this draft overall, but they picked big guys who can legit play. Carter Amico and Matthew Gard are highly athletic. Shane Vansaghi is very skilled. Martone and Nesbitt project as important players for this team, but they have a really good chance to get a third useful NHL player from their Day 2 picks.”
Flyers Draft Grade: A
Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff
“Talk about getting tougher to play against. Nesbitt, Amico, Shane Vansaghi and Matthew Gard are absolute physical beasts, and Martone can flatten guys if he needs to, as well. I love Martone, because while they didn’t get their main positional need at No. 6 – a center – they got the best winger, who happened to be the best player available at the time. Amico could be a graet value pick at No. 38 – he missed most of the season due to an injury, but he’s an absolute unit. Nesbitt can be the team’s No. 3 center, while Vansaghi and Gard are going to be miserable to contain.”
Flyers Draft Grade: A+
Kyle Cushman, The Score
The Flyers’ prospect pool lacked size, and they certainly addressed that by adding 6-foot-3 Martone, 6-foot-5 Nesbitt, 6-foot-6 Amico, and more later in the draft. Martone has thrilling potential with his playmaking. Trading up for Nesbitt was rich. Vansaghi is a menace on the forecheck. Philadelphia eventually becomes harder to play against with this kind of draft class.
Flyers Draft Grade: B+
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
They clearly set out with a plan with their six picks in Rounds 1-2 and accomplished it by adding size/strength at each of them. I didn’t love the Nesbitt and Amico picks, which I think come with some risk, but I liked the other four and Martone’s a big deal.
Flyers Draft Grade: “Overtime Winner”
Mary Clarke, USA Today
(grading drafting of Martone and Nesbitt in Round 1)
Martone’s stock was rising ahead of the draft due to his unique skillset of being a power forward who can play hard and beat opponents with skill. It’s a bit surprising he fell to No. 6 to the Flyers, but he’ll slide in along nicely with Matvei Michkov, Trevor Zegras and the rest of Philadelphia’s young, but talented core.
Grade: A-
A trade! The Flyers traded the Penguins their two remaining first round picks in this draft to take big center Jack Nesbitt. This also feels like a reach, as Nesbitt could have been available in the early 20s when the Flyers were drafting next, but he’s a solid two-way center that helps Philadelphia fill out the center position.
Grade: B
Nicholas Nathanson, Bleacher Report
The Philadelphia Flyers are getting an absolute steal in Porter Martone. Martone, the No. 3 prospect per B/R’s final board, possesses an incredible offensive skill set. He tallied 98 points in 57 games with the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL this past season. However, the one concern is his pattern of hovering around the zone. To an extent, he’ll need to become a bit more aggressive on both ends, but the result is still a massive win.
Flyers Draft Grade: A