I think there's a top 8 in my mind, then a different tier. Sort of. These aren't really in any order, just by tier.

Matthews, Laine, PJ
Tkachuk, Juolevi, Chychrun, Nylander, McLeod
Dubois, Keller, Sergachyev, Bellows, Jost, Gauthier

I think after 8, it drops a tier perhaps. But barely. So many people I'd get pumped about.
- Mononoke

I think there's a top 5, slight drop for 3 or 4, then another slight dip that goes back to the late teens. Solid class. Don't feel it's as good in terms of top end talent available later in the first round, but there's quality in there.

On the contrary
- Giroux_Is_God

MR = MC all of the time.

Nylander and Bellows are both LW?

Seems like an obvious need and they may also be best available when they pick
- Marc D

Nylander can play both wings

Assuming Tkatchuk is gone? I think you go with Alex Nylander, Michael McLeod or Julien Gauthier. Truthfully I'd like to see them grab another first rounder...even if that means moving back and giving up a 2nd rounder. Preferably a trade for Streit, Del Zotto, or even Read. This draft has some depth and Max Jones looks like he's made to be in Black and Orange...think a better Lawson Crouse. Keiffer Bellows, Tyson Jost and Tyler Benson are all intriguing prospects that could help the Flyers out. I also wouldn't mind seeing them grab a right handed D man with one of their second rounders, Charles McAvoy would be an awesome addition to the blueline Hexy is building.
- Slipperypickle

McAvoy is a guy I have seen all over the place in terms of mocks. One has him at 12, another had him at 36

I think there's a top 5, slight drop for 3 or 4, then another slight dip that goes back to the late teens. Solid class. Don't feel it's as good in terms of top end talent available later in the first round, but there's quality in there.
- Jsaquella

I think it's almost a given that Auston and the Finns go top 3. It's why I grouped them. I assume you'd add Tkachuk and Chycrun, but I'm still not sure they go 4-5, so I just grouped them with those guys.

I don't know the draft class anywhere near as well as some of you, but when will we finally have a draft that isn't deep/good? It seems like every year I've been following the draft since 2008, it's always "One of the deepest drafts in recent memory," or "So many great picks," etc. When will we have drafts that rivaled some of the mid-late 90s drafts where you've got 2 good players and then a bunch of nothing?

I think there's a top 5, slight drop for 3 or 4, then another slight dip that goes back to the late teens. Solid class. Don't feel it's as good in terms of top end talent available later in the first round, but there's quality in there.
- Jsaquella

It will be Chychrun; I have no doubt!!!!

I think it's almost a given that Auston and the Finns go top 3. It's why I grouped them. I assume you'd add Tkachuk and Chycrun, but I'm still not sure they go 4-5, so I just grouped them with those guys.
- Mononoke

This is the top 5 IMO barring something unforeseen. Only definite is Matthews going first IMO.

As for later picks, I'm big on Juolevi, Steel, and Gauthier myself. This is a very deep draft in the first 2 rounds, just not sure there's many stars in this draft outside of Matthews.

McAvoy is a guy I have seen all over the place in terms of mocks. One has him at 12, another had him at 36
- Jsaquella

Ya he could fall, which is why it would be sweet if Philly could grab him with one of their seconds and so focus on offense in the first round. Could happen...Konency fell after all.

If the Flyers draft Gauthier top 8-10 I'm going to be disappointed. He should go in the top 12-14, but I think he's getting massively overrated because of his size. There are prospects with close size that are better than him in my mind, namely McLeod and Dubois. I'm down with Jones if he's a pick in the later teens.

I don't know the draft class anywhere near as well as some of you, but when will we finally have a draft that isn't deep/good? It seems like every year I've been following the draft since 2008, it's always "One of the deepest drafts in recent memory," or "So many great picks," etc. When will we have drafts that rivaled some of the mid-late 90s drafts where you've got 2 good players and then a bunch of nothing?
- jmatchett383

One of three narratives are spun for every draft class (at least, thats the way it seems to me)

1. Best draft since 06

2. Deep draft, limited top end talent

3. Deep in the first 2-3 rounds, huge drop off as you get into 3-4 in terms of player potential

Laine has me maybe more excited than Matthews. It could be just Matthews has been bandied about a lot more and there's a tiredness to him. He will still probably go 1, and should, but Laine has monster goal and offensive potential. He could be 40 goal+ scary good. Can probably play all 3 positions, and is so smart and slick and big offensively. I'm trying to think of a comparable style, and I don't know. Tarasenko-Malkin hybrid? He's a young 17 and is dominating men in the Finnish league. He's DOUBLING the shots per game of recent top Finnish prospects. That's absurd.

I don't know the draft class anywhere near as well as some of you, but when will we finally have a draft that isn't deep/good? It seems like every year I've been following the draft since 2008, it's always "One of the deepest drafts in recent memory," or "So many great picks," etc. When will we have drafts that rivaled some of the mid-late 90s drafts where you've got 2 good players and then a bunch of nothing?
- jmatchett383

It's a solid draft, but it's not as deep as the last two.

Laine has me maybe more excited than Matthews. It could be just Matthews has been bandied about a lot more and there's a tiredness to him. He will still probably go 1, and should, but Laine has monster goal and offensive potential. He could be 40 goal+ scary good. Can probably play all 3 positions, and is so smart and slick and big offensively. I'm trying to think of a comparable style, and I don't know. Tarasenko-Malkin hybrid? He's a young 17 and is dominating men in the Finnish league. He's DOUBLING the shots per game of recent top Finnish prospects. That's absurd.
- Mononoke

Malkin is a Tarasenko-Malkin hybrid.

If the Flyers draft Gauthier top 8-10 I'm going to be disappointed. He should go in the top 12-14, but I think he's getting massively overrated because of his size. There are prospects with close size that are better than him in my mind, namely McLeod and Dubois. I'm down with Jones if he's a pick in the later teens.
- Mononoke

I'm not as big on Jones or Gauthier as some. I'd have no issue if they ended up as the pick, but I like others more.

It's a solid draft, but it's not as deep as the last two.
- Jsaquella

It just seems like every year, people are like, "Yeah, we're picking 23rd, but this draft is so deep, we're going to be getting a star no matter what," as opposed to, "We're picking 9th? Damn, that sucks, there's only 3-4 good players this year." I understand hype and all, but it just seems like every year is super deep and stocked with superstars until round 5.

Edit: Perfect example is 1999. While Stefan was a bust and the Sedin's were the gems, people were all hyped up about guys like Kris Beech and Jamie Lundmark. Denis Shvidki was a sure thing and Brian Finley was the next Patric Roy. The fact was, it was a ridiculously weak class. The only reason I remember it well was because I got caught up in the Sedin drama with Burke.

It will be Chychrun; I have no doubt!!!!
- rinaldo

I'd be absolutely ecstatic if they're pick 7th and end up with Chychrun

It just seems like every year, people are like, "Yeah, we're picking 23rd, but this draft is so deep, we're going to be getting a star no matter what," as opposed to, "We're picking 9th? Damn, that sucks, there's only 3-4 good players this year." I understand hype and all, but it just seems like every year is super deep and stocked with superstars until round 5.
- jmatchett383

It gets more and more hype, so you get those labels.

A lot of times there is a fairly clear drop. I'm still stunned that the Flyers got Konecny at 24.

I'd be absolutely ecstatic if they're pick 7th and end up with Chychrun
- Jsaquella

what a D pipeline if that happens

If the Flyers draft Gauthier top 8-10 I'm going to be disappointed. He should go in the top 12-14, but I think he's getting massively overrated because of his size. There are prospects with close size that are better than him in my mind, namely McLeod and Dubois. I'm down with Jones if he's a pick in the later teens.
- Mononoke

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dubois go 6. He's very far out of reach as of right now, IMO.

Laine has me maybe more excited than Matthews. It could be just Matthews has been bandied about a lot more and there's a tiredness to him. He will still probably go 1, and should, but Laine has monster goal and offensive potential. He could be 40 goal+ scary good. Can probably play all 3 positions, and is so smart and slick and big offensively. I'm trying to think of a comparable style, and I don't know. Tarasenko-Malkin hybrid? He's a young 17 and is dominating men in the Finnish league. He's DOUBLING the shots per game of recent top Finnish prospects. That's absurd.
- Mononoke

If we ended up with Matthews or Laine, I'd be elated

It gets more and more hype, so you get those labels.

A lot of times there is a fairly clear drop. I'm still stunned that the Flyers got Konecny at 24.
- Jsaquella

If Provorov were available in this year's class, meaning we take everything he's done this year off the books, where would he be projected?

Laine has me maybe more excited than Matthews. It could be just Matthews has been bandied about a lot more and there's a tiredness to him. He will still probably go 1, and should, but Laine has monster goal and offensive potential. He could be 40 goal+ scary good. Can probably play all 3 positions, and is so smart and slick and big offensively. I'm trying to think of a comparable style, and I don't know. Tarasenko-Malkin hybrid? He's a young 17 and is dominating men in the Finnish league. He's DOUBLING the shots per game of recent top Finnish prospects. That's absurd.
- Mononoke

That really is absurd.

Another one that has me excited is McLeod. He has skating that is off the charts. I read a scout comparing him to McDavid's skating, if a tick down. It's that good. He's awesome 2 way, and never has an invisible shift. Does all the little things, provides structure. Sort of like Coots (and Umberger) in that regard. Coots with (frank)ing McDavid wheels.

Dubois I like hearing about his versatility and all around play. Skating could be better I've read. But he could be a do everything forward WITH size.

Keller could be a steal that gets underrated bc of size. He's putting up crazy numbers on US develoment team. He's very young for his age, and is putting up numbers Eichel and Matthews did. Age difference between when they did it, but not much. He's a late summer birthday. LW too.

If Provorov were available in this year's class, meaning we take everything he's done this year off the books, where would he be projected?
- jmatchett383

I think he'd be 6th, maybe 5th.