I've seen limited full game viewings of both players, but plenty of clips. Here is one man's breakdown:

Nolan Patrick 6'3 198, turns 19 this September
Nico Hischier 6'0 176, turns 19 on Jan 4, 2018

Skating
Patrick is a very good, but not elite skater. He has a long stride and gets up to top speed in a hurry though. He also is deceptively quick and agile for a big man.

Hischier is an elite skater, with great speed, acceleration and quickness. He's not quite as dynamic as Connor McDavid, but he'd arguably be the fastest Flyers forward from day one.

Both players are just as fast with the puck as they are without it.

Size and strength
Patrick is man strong. He will likely continue to fill out and top out at around 210 lbs. He uses his size to protect the puck well, will win board battles and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He's not a particularly aggressive player physically, but he won't back down.

Hischier may still be growing, some sites are now listing him at 6'1 and he's likely around 180 lbs at this point. Obviously, he could benefit by filling out and getting stronger and he will likely top out around 195-200 lbs. That being said, he plays a fearless game, and will happily venture into the dirty parts of the ice. He is deceptively strong and hard to knock off the puck and he has a bit of mean in his game too.

Skills
Patrick has fantastic skills. He possesses a hard, accurate shot, is an excellent passer and has very soft hands that allow him to be an excellent stickhandler. He's going to put points at the NHL level, maybe not the 100+ of a McDavid, but 30+ goals and 80+ points are not out of the realm of possibility when he hits is prime.

Hischier has world class skills. He has innate sense of when to pass and when to shoot and the soft hands to stickhandle with the best of them. He has an accurate shot with a quick release too. Again, he won't put up McDavid numbers, but he too could top out at 30+ goals and 80+ points, and if he really hits his full potential, he could flirt with a few 90+ point seasons.

Overall hockey sense
Patrick is a complete player with very good defensive awareness. He is strong defensively and on faceoffs and competes hard in all three zones. He is a future team captain and a guy who will play in all situations. He is very composed and rarely makes a bad read or a bad play. Coaches are going to love this guy.

Hischier has fantastic on ice awareness, he seems to know where everyone on the ice is at all times and can make a seemingly blind pass out of nowhere. His defensive game is solid, but he could use a bit of improvement to play at the NHL level. He's 9 months younger and less experienced at as high a level as Patrick and that needs to be taken into consideration. Overall, his hockey sense is elite and from all accounts he's very coachable and hard working.

Negatives
Patrick's only negative is his injury history.

Hischier's only negative is that he needs to get a bit stronger.


My preference:
It's a very tough call, but I'd give the slightest of slight edges to Hischier. This is due to my feeling that he may just have a smidge more offensive skill and he's a better skater than Patrick. And, while I don't think it's a major issue, you also can't ignore Patrick's injury history.

My prediction:

I think Shero will go with Hischier and Patrick will be the captain of the Flyers by the early 2020s.
- BiggE

Thanks for the analysis. Still pumped that we have a shot at either of these terrific talents. It's going to be an absolute injection of top 6 skill on an ELC. Couldn't have worked out better for us. No need to chase an overpriced UFA in the near term to address this.

I've seen limited full game viewings of both players, but plenty of clips. Here is one man's breakdown:

Nolan Patrick 6'3 198, turns 19 this September
Nico Hischier 6'0 176, turns 19 on Jan 4, 2018

Skating
Patrick is a very good, but not elite skater. He has a long stride and gets up to top speed in a hurry though. He also is deceptively quick and agile for a big man.

Hischier is an elite skater, with great speed, acceleration and quickness. He's not quite as dynamic as Connor McDavid, but he'd arguably be the fastest Flyers forward from day one.

Both players are just as fast with the puck as they are without it.

Size and strength
Patrick is man strong. He will likely continue to fill out and top out at around 210 lbs. He uses his size to protect the puck well, will win board battles and is very difficult to knock off the puck. He's not a particularly aggressive player physically, but he won't back down.

Hischier may still be growing, some sites are now listing him at 6'1 and he's likely around 180 lbs at this point. Obviously, he could benefit by filling out and getting stronger and he will likely top out around 195-200 lbs. That being said, he plays a fearless game, and will happily venture into the dirty parts of the ice. He is deceptively strong and hard to knock off the puck and he has a bit of mean in his game too.

Skills
Patrick has fantastic skills. He possesses a hard, accurate shot, is an excellent passer and has very soft hands that allow him to be an excellent stickhandler. He's going to put points at the NHL level, maybe not the 100+ of a McDavid, but 30+ goals and 80+ points are not out of the realm of possibility when he hits is prime.

Hischier has world class skills. He has innate sense of when to pass and when to shoot and the soft hands to stickhandle with the best of them. He has an accurate shot with a quick release too. Again, he won't put up McDavid numbers, but he too could top out at 30+ goals and 80+ points, and if he really hits his full potential, he could flirt with a few 90+ point seasons.

Overall hockey sense
Patrick is a complete player with very good defensive awareness. He is strong defensively and on faceoffs and competes hard in all three zones. He is a future team captain and a guy who will play in all situations. He is very composed and rarely makes a bad read or a bad play. Coaches are going to love this guy.

Hischier has fantastic on ice awareness, he seems to know where everyone on the ice is at all times and can make a seemingly blind pass out of nowhere. His defensive game is solid, but he could use a bit of improvement to play at the NHL level. He's 9 months younger and less experienced at as high a level as Patrick and that needs to be taken into consideration. Overall, his hockey sense is elite and from all accounts he's very coachable and hard working.

Negatives
Patrick's only negative is his injury history.

Hischier's only negative is that he needs to get a bit stronger.


My preference:
It's a very tough call, but I'd give the slightest of slight edges to Hischier. This is due to my feeling that he may just have a smidge more offensive skill and he's a better skater than Patrick. And, while I don't think it's a major issue, you also can't ignore Patrick's injury history.

My prediction:

I think Shero will go with Hischier and Patrick will be the captain of the Flyers by the early 2020s.
- BiggE

I think your analysis is spot on with player breakdowns however I believe just like the Hall-Seguin "who will be number 1" this year will play out the same and Patrick will go to the Devils. Either way its a win for us.

You guys wanna trade down?

Would anybody entertain trading the pick for Drouin?

The Flyers should have some space since they're projected to have quite a few D-men on entry level contracts. Or do you see the prospects ceiling higher than Drouin's? Or would Tampa not accept?

You guys wanna trade down?
- BINGO!

To CAR: 2nd overall pick + MacDonald
To PHI: 12th overall pick + Gauthier + Hanifin + 2017 2nd round pick

Would anybody entertain trading the pick for Drouin?

The Flyers should have some space since they're projected to have quite a few D-men on entry level contracts. Or do you see the prospects ceiling higher than Drouin's? Or would Tampa not accept?
- wolphnuts12

No

To CAR: 2nd overall pick + MacDonald
To PHI: 12th overall pick + Gauthier + Hanifin + 2017 2nd round pick
- Streit2ThePoint

Looks nice but no.

We have defensive prospects and I know Hanfin is a solid guy.

The prospect of getting a future center is too good to pass up.

Would anybody entertain trading the pick for Drouin?

The Flyers should have some space since they're projected to have quite a few D-men on entry level contracts. Or do you see the prospects ceiling higher than Drouin's? Or would Tampa not accept?
- wolphnuts12

No, I wouldn't. That accelerates the cap situation and although I think the entry level cap is completely bogus, it does exist and I want to use it when I can.

Looks nice but no.

We have defensive prospects and I know Hanfin is a solid guy.

The prospect of getting a future center is too good to pass up.
- J35Bacher

I like that the flyers are the ones saying no to this in your mind.

Looks nice but no.

We have defensive prospects and I know Hanfin is a solid guy.

The prospect of getting a future center is too good to pass up.
- J35Bacher

Trade piece for another deal

I like that the flyers are the ones saying no to this in your mind.
- BINGO!

Hanifin is young, too many variables how his career will pan out. You know you're getting a solid defenseman in Andrew MacDonald.

You guys wanna trade down?
- BINGO!

Sure.

To Carolina: 44th overall, Andrew MacDonald
To Philadelphia: 73rd overall, Sebastian Aho

Hanifin is young, too many variables how his career will pan out. You know you're getting a solid defenseman in Andrew MacDonald.
- Streit2ThePoint

Get the (frank) out of here.

I like that the flyers are the ones saying no to this in your mind.
- BINGO!

The guy proposed it.

I agree. Doubt Carolina would do that. I wonder if they would actually move Faulk before Hanifan. Would be able to bring in a nice return for him.

Sure.

To Carolina: 44th overall, Andrew MacDonald
To Philadelphia: 73rd overall, Sebastian Aho
- jmatchett383

I'd even take a 4th back

Get the (frank) out of here.
- BINGO!

Would anybody entertain trading the pick for Drouin?

The Flyers should have some space since they're projected to have quite a few D-men on entry level contracts. Or do you see the prospects ceiling higher than Drouin's? Or would Tampa not accept?
- wolphnuts12

I would rather trade Sanheim for Drouin and keep the pick. Drouin can play leftwing right?

Leafs just signed Zaitsev for 7 years at $4.5MM

was reported he would a little ways back, but I would take Ghost on that. Zaitsev played on their top pair with Reilly and got a good deal of PP time (11 of 36 points)

Great analysis BiggE

I've been debating with myself which one I prefer and each time I just give up and smile to myself knowing it's a fantastic problem to have. Having said that, a summer full of ranking draft selections at #13 would have been chaotic and quite entertaining

Kind of saw it go this way. I personally think NJ picks Patrick and I am excited for Nico. If for some reason NJ goes the other way, I am still just as excited with Patrick.

*tingles all over*

Great analysis BiggE

I've been debating with myself which one I prefer and each time I just give up and smile to myself knowing it's a fantastic problem to have. Having said that, a summer full of ranking draft selections at #13 would have been chaotic and quite entertaining
- arichardson22

I think we can all agree on a few things:

1. Whoever we select at #2 will top out at 20 goals and spend the bulk of his career bouncing around as an AHL tweener.

2. The player taken at 13 will go on to win several Hart Trophies, most likely after being traded to the Rangers as he captains them to 9 straight Cups

/Team Negative

Nice write up. Small correction Patrick is 3.5 months older than nico
- Just5

I hate math

I hate math

- BiggE

We call that "scotch math."

Leafs just signed Zaitsev for 7 years at $4.5MM
- YuenglingJagr

Just a little bit more money than the Flyers 25 year old Russian RFA is going to get.

Leafs just signed Zaitsev for 7 years at $4.5MM

was reported he would a little ways back, but I would take Ghost on that. Zaitsev played on their top pair with Reilly and got a good deal of PP time (11 of 36 points)
- YuenglingJagr

Amazing deal. If we can get Ghost for something like that everything will be slightly less terrible