Russ Cohen's top 12 2024 draft eligible players:

1. Macklin Celebrini – C – Boston University – NCAA
2. Ivan Demidov – C/RW – Ska-1946 St. Petersburg – MHL
3. Cayden Lindstrom – C – Medicine Hat – WHL
4. Konsta Helenius – C/RW – Jukurit – Liiga
5. Artyom Levshunov – D – Michigan State – NCAA
6. Cole Eiserman – LW – U.S. National U18 Team – NTDP
7. Zeev Buium – D – University of Denver – NCAA
8. Anton Silayev – D – Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod – KHL
9. Zayne Parekh – D – Saginaw Spirit – OHL
10. Sam Richardinson – D – London Knights – OHL
11. Berkly Catton – C – Spokane Chiefs – WHL
12. Tij Iginla – C/W – Kelowna Rockets – WHL

He mentioned Sam D'son has a few question marks in terms of whether he is truly a potential #1 defenseman. I thought it was interesting that Helenius was so high on his list. Just more evidence that after the first 3 or so picks, it's really a crap shoot.

I understand that the Flyers did contact San Jose and Montreal last draft to see what it would take to move up since they really wanted Michkov. It turned out they lucked out and Michkov fell to them at 7. However, hoping a player falls to them at 12 versus 7 is really not a sound strategy. I am encouraged that Briere tried to be aggressive last year. I hope he will be even more aggressive this year.

So many examples of these for all teams really. Best story I heard was how the 2012 draft went down. Oilers had the first pick and the owner Katz met and really liked Nail Yakupov. He directed his scouting staff to take him first overall although they weren't going to. Crazy. Didn't turn out to be a crazy deep draft but Morgan Reilley and Vas were taken later on. Crap shoot but there are also some really poorly managed teams..
- Hextall271

Even if they didn't like Nail it would have been somebody like Galchenyuk, Grigorenko, Murray or Reinhart. Was just a really unfortunate year to have a top-3 pick.

The one that probably hurts even more is falling for the Puljujarvi hype train and missing out on Matt Tkachuk.

Could you imagine a line of Chucky, McJesus and German Gretzky?

Russ Cohen's top 12 2024 draft eligible players:

He mentioned Sam D'son has a few question marks in terms of whether he is truly a potential #1 defenseman. I thought it was interesting that Helenius was so high on his list. Just more evidence that after the first 3 or so picks, it's really a crap shoot.

I understand that the Flyers did contact San Jose and Montreal last draft to see what it would take to move up since they really wanted Michkov. It turned out they lucked out and Michkov fell to them at 7. However, hoping a player falls to them at 12 versus 7 is really not a sound strategy. I am encouraged that Briere tried to be aggressive last year. I hope he will be even more aggressive this year.
- jd250

They're guaranteed a high end prospect at 12. They just have zero control over who it is... which isn't exactly ideal. Or maybe considering their draft history, might be a blessing in disguise?

I do wonder if D*ckinson gets dinged by being on a great team. Just have to figure out who are driving the bus and who are passengers on that London team.

Ratcliffe scored 7 goals in the AHL this past season, and Robertson had 3 goals in the Western Conference finals just last night.

https://www.capfriendly.com/draft/2017

I do wonder if D*ckinson gets dinged by being on a great team. Just have to figure out who are driving the bus and who are passengers on that London team.
- Trox88

His hockey sense is a bit... questionable... gives off Provy/Bogosian vibes.

They're guaranteed a high end prospect at 12. They just have zero control over who it is... which isn't exactly ideal. Or maybe considering their draft history, might be a blessing in disguise?



- Tomahawk

I think Flahr has drafted well since he has been with the Flyers. Clearly the development of the players was a major issue and Briere seems to have addressed that. We'll see. I do believe that if the Flyers want a player and accelerate this rebuild, he will need to overpay and move up.

I think Flahr has drafted well since he has been with the Flyers. Clearly the development of the players was a major issue and Briere seems to have addressed that. We'll see. I do believe that if the Flyers want a player and accelerate this rebuild, he will need to overpay and move up.
- jd250

jury is still out on of he has drafted well. his 1st flyers draft was 2019 I think. Only 1 nhl regular from that draft so far.

I think Flahr has drafted well since he has been with the Flyers. Clearly the development of the players was a major issue and Briere seems to have addressed that. We'll see. I do believe that if the Flyers want a player and accelerate this rebuild, he will need to overpay and move up.
- jd250

How do know if its a team development issue, or a player issue? Some people you can trying and develop all you want, and they just cant grasp something.

How do know if its a team development issue, or a player issue? Some people you can trying and develop all you want, and they just cant grasp something.
- bradster

It’s all about the player. Unless the organization does something egregious, which hasn’t been the case here. Guys like Ratcliffe and Rubstov just stink, it wasn’t a development issue.

I think Flahr has drafted well since he has been with the Flyers. Clearly the development of the players was a major issue and Briere seems to have addressed that. We'll see. I do believe that if the Flyers want a player and accelerate this rebuild, he will need to overpay and move up.
- jd250

19-21: Not a single elite talent with Foerster, York, Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala, etc. Some are NHL players surely but there's nobody who can drive the bus.

22: They clearly missed Cutter's maturity/character issues. McDonald could be the only guy who plays a game for the Flyers from that draft as the others are spinning their wheels.

23: Michkov basically fell in their laps. The Russian goalie, Bonk and Barkley look decent but way too early to tell where any of them end up.


One potential elite player in 5 drafts is... concerning.

19-21: Not a single elite talent with Foerster, York, Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala, etc. Some are NHL players surely but there's nobody who can drive the bus.

22: They clearly missed Cutter's maturity/character issues. McDonald could be the only guy who plays a game for the Flyers from that draft as the others are spinning their wheels.

23: Michkov basically fell in their laps. The Russian goalie, Bonk and Barkley look decent but way too early to tell where any of them end up.
- Tomahawk

what character issues does cutter have?

the macdonald hype from the flyers cracks me up.

what character issues does cutter have?
- hello it's me 2050

I hear the players on the Denver team are still crying

the macdonald hype from the flyers cracks me up.
- hello it's me 2050

With Jones behind him he's guaranteed to get his shot.

19-21: Not a single elite talent with Foerster, York, Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala, etc. Some are NHL players surely but there's nobody who can drive the bus.

22: They clearly missed Cutter's maturity/character issues. McDonald could be the only guy who plays a game for the Flyers from that draft as the others are spinning their wheels.

23: Michkov basically fell in their laps. The Russian goalie, Bonk and Barkley look decent but way too early to tell where any of them end up.


One potential elite player in 5 drafts is... concerning.
- Tomahawk

I believe the definition of elite is subjective. Foerster, I do believe is on the path to being elite. Consist 20-30 scorer with being in the conversation for Selke as a winger is elite, IMO. I consider Mark Stone to be elite.
Depending on one's view on the definition of elite, someone could have a different opinion certainly. Time will tell if he can achieve this prodiction year after year , but the rookie season was very encouraging.

I believe the definition of elite is subjective. Foerster, I do believe is on the path to being elite. Consist 20-30 scorer with being in the conversation for Selke as a winger is elite, IMO. I consider Mark Stone to be elite.
Depending on one's view on the definition of elite, someone could have a different opinion certainly. Time will tell if he can achieve this prodiction year after year , but the rookie season was very encouraging.
- Trox88

If Foester can score 20+ goals and control the game defensively like Stone then yeah... he'll be elite.

At best I think he's more of a TJ Oshie type tho. An all-around support player who may have some clutch moments.

19-21: Not a single elite talent with Foerster, York, Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala, etc. Some are NHL players surely but there's nobody who can drive the bus.

22: They clearly missed Cutter's maturity/character issues. McDonald could be the only guy who plays a game for the Flyers from that draft as the others are spinning their wheels.

23: Michkov basically fell in their laps. The Russian goalie, Bonk and Barkley look decent but way too early to tell where any of them end up.


One potential elite player in 5 drafts is... concerning.
- Tomahawk

A guy who rarely is mentioned but I think could be someone to keep an eye on is Alex Bump. Actually two. Bump and Carter Sotheran

His hockey sense is a bit... questionable... gives off Provy/Bogosian vibes.
- Tomahawk

I’ve read that his hockey IQ is not as strong and also read that he has a strong hockey IQ. I’ve read several of each so not sure what to make of that.

A guy who rarely is mentioned but I think could be someone to keep an eye on is Alex Bump. Actually two. Bump and Carter Sotheran
- J35Bacher

and while I don't think York is Makar or anything, I still think there's room to grow into a really good NHL defenseman

I hear the players on the Denver team are still crying



With Jones behind him he's guaranteed to get his shot.
- Tomahawk

trash talking isn't a character issue to me...

mac will get every opportunity no doubt. he played a sheltered role on the phantoms. which is fine to start right out of college.

I think Flahr has drafted well since he has been with the Flyers. Clearly the development of the players was a major issue and Briere seems to have addressed that. We'll see. I do believe that if the Flyers want a player and accelerate this rebuild, he will need to overpay and move up.
- jd250

I agree they need to move up but it doesn’t mean they’ll be accelerating the rebuild. Even if they move up for one of the top defensemen it will be a minimum 3 years before that player is an impactful player on the roster. Even the best defenseman take 3 years. Look at Makar and Heiskanen it was the 3rd post draft year where they became top pairing defenseman.

How do know if its a team development issue, or a player issue? Some people you can trying and develop all you want, and they just cant grasp something.
- bradster

I'm sure it's a bit of both, but I have no doubt the Flyers had a player development issue and its something Briere acknowledged even as asst GM.

I agree they need to move up but it doesn’t mean they’ll be accelerating the rebuild. Even if they move up for one of the top defensemen it will be a minimum 3 years before that player is an impactful player on the roster. Even the best defenseman take 3 years. Look at Makar and Heiskanen it was the 3rd post draft year where they became top pairing defenseman.
- Schmojo

Right, but think about the time it will take for a lesser defenseman, and their impact would not be as great even then.

19-21: Not a single elite talent with Foerster, York, Brink, Andrae, Tuomaala, etc. Some are NHL players surely but there's nobody who can drive the bus.

22: They clearly missed Cutter's maturity/character issues. McDonald could be the only guy who plays a game for the Flyers from that draft as the others are spinning their wheels.

23: Michkov basically fell in their laps. The Russian goalie, Bonk and Barkley look decent but way too early to tell where any of them end up.


One potential elite player in 5 drafts is... concerning.
- Tomahawk

Timing is everything when it comes to draft picks. The highest pick the Flyers have had in these 5 years was #5 and they selected Gauthier. At the time it was a good pick. They got Michkov in a deep draft with several elite players. Some drafts are just better and deeper than others. Picking 12th or 14th is not going to get it done no matter who is picking the players.

trash talking isn't a character issue to me...
- hello it's me 2050

Trash talking isn't.

Unchecked arrogance, taking opponents lightly, being unprepared to compete and coming up small in a championship game are all potential character issues.

To not even mention whatever it is that happened between him and the Flyers.

Trash talking isn't.

Unchecked arrogance, taking opponents lightly, being unprepared to compete and coming up small in a championship game are potential character issues.
- Tomahawk

how was he unprepared? how do you draw the conclusion he took them lightly?

coming up small in one game does not indicate any character issue to me. so those other stud college players also have character issues for coming up small?