Barring an overwhelming trade offer, the Philadelphia Flyers figure to stay at the No. 6 overall position in the upcoming NHL draft, poised to select a promising center. Matthew Schaefer [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/matthew-schaefer-should-be-no-1-but-will-he-be-in-the-nhl-next-season], a defenseman known for his dominating play at both ends of the ice, is the consensus best player in the draft. Keith Jones, the Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers]' president, believes the players ranked "two through eight or nine" are similar in ability, which means his club should get someone to energize their rebuild. That player will probably be a center, based on GM Daniel Briere's strong hints. Most draft experts rank OHL [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] center Michael Misa [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2025-nhl-draft-michael-misas-historic-year-has-him-pushing-for-first-overall] at No. 2 overall. But he isn't a lock to get picked at No. 2, per experts, who have the top five centers closely ranked. Misa, James Hagens [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/james-hagens-may-slide-on-draft-day-but-his-nhl-upside-remains-elite], Jake O'Brien, Anton Frondell and Caleb Desnoyers are generally regarded as the five best centers. Roger McQueen and Brady Martin are also highly talented centers who could be in the top 10. The first round of the draft will be held June 27, and Jones believes the Flyers are in a solid spot at No. 6. 'GOOD POSITION' "We're sitting in a good position, to be honest with you," he said last week when asked if he expected the Flyers to move up in the draft via a trade. "There's a lot of players who are going to be very good players, but they're in kind of the same group – and sixth doesn't take us out of those six good players." It's likely Schaefer (defenseman), Misa (center) and right winger Porter Martone [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-draft-prospect-porter-martone-impresses-team-canada-staff-at-world-championship] will be off the board by the time the Flyers select. That means two of the big five centers could be available for the Flyers at No. 6. And if defenseman Jackson Smith goes before No. 6, the Flyers might have another quality center to choose from. Finding an elite center is the Flyers' biggest need. "We're open for anything," Jones said. "There's a couple specific players that we would love to have." The Flyers have three picks in Round 1 – No. 6, No. 22, and a still-to-be-determined slot based on Edmonton's finish – and four in Round 2. "It's a good top of the draft, and it's actually good quality throughout the draft, so we're really pumped up that we have so many picks this year – and it's going to continue to build that foundation," Jones said. "And at some point, we'll shift some of those prospects and picks and assets that can help us in acquiring other players as we try to advance this thing." Daniel Briere (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/a5d6ec8d-7371-4476-85b0-44c61358b1d4.jpeg] Daniel Briere (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) ANOTHER BUILDING BLOCK Whether that happens this year or down the road is unknown, but the Flyers – who have missed the playoffs in each of the last five seasons – are building for the future. Like Jones, Briere said the Flyers are "comfortable" at having the No. 6 pick. (They had been at No. 4 but dropped two spots in the draft lottery.) "We'll be prepared for all of it. It's a little easier" this year, he said. "Last year (when they drafted speedy center Jett Luchanko at No. 13 overall), we were preparing for the first half of the first round. Now we can narrow it a little bit more. We're comfortable there, but we're going to explore with different things – moving up, moving back." If they stay at No. 6, as expected, will the Flyers draft the top player available or go for a specific position? "At the top, we'll go with the best player, but it just so happens there are a lot of centers in that range," Briere said. "But if someone fell who is not a center, we're going to go with the best player." The Flyers have had the No. 6 overall pick three other times in franchise history, drafting a dud (right winger Bob Currier in 1969), a quality defenseman (Behn Wilson in 1978) and a superstar – center Peter Forsberg, who was selected in 1991 and traded in the Eric Lindros deal. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
