Tonight, the Philadelphia Flyers—armed with the No. 6 pick (as of writing this, at least)—must make a pivotal decision that could define their next chapter.
This draft has already proven to be chaotic, and nobody is overly confident on which player could go where. Teams are still conducting business and making trades to try and improve their draft order standings as I sit in my Atlantic City hotel room and type these very words.
The Flyers have plenty of options as it stands. But who are those options likely to be as of Draft Day—and who should ultimately be handed that Flyers jersey?
1. James Hagens – The Cerebral Playmaker (Center)
Basic stats: 5’10″, 185 lbs, Boston College freshman, USNTDP alum.
Why he matters: Enters tonight’s board ranked among the top 5 overall prospects and has consistently hovered around that benchmark. Slick playmaker with elite vision. Posted 102 points in 58 NTDP games and earned MVP honors at the U18 World. High-IQ, two-way pivot—fast, composed.
Fit: Hagens has the potential to grow into a No. 1 or 2 center, injecting speed, smarts, and stability. He aligns with the Flyers’ need for a high-ceiling center and adds dynamic balance.
Caveat: Slight stature may raise concerns in an already-small Flyers team, though his cerebral approach mitigates that. If he weathers the transition, the upside is substantial.
2. Brady Martin – The High-Energy Power Forward (Center)
Basic stats: 6’0″, 187 lbs, Soo Greyhounds.
Why he matters: Identified as a significant riser in this draft. Praised for blending physicality with hockey sense. Scouts love his compete level, hitting style, and his transformation into a more layered offensive force after summer strength gains and OHL growth.
Fit: Offers the tough, two-way center that would very much appeal to the Flyers. Can anchor a third line, kill penalties, and smartly cycle. Unique farm-honed maturity adds leadership polish as well.
Caveat: Ceiling may skew third-line; far from a top-pairing center. Still, his blend of hard-nosed grit and reliability would slot neatly into Philly’s identity.
3. Jake O’Brien – The Playmaking Power Center
Basic stats: 6’2″, 170 lbs, Brantford Bulldogs captain, point-per-game.
Why he matters: Broke the OHL rookie assist record (51 assists) and was named to the All-Rookie team. His 98-point season ranks him No. 4 in central North American rankings . Described as an intelligent playmaker and “hard to contain." Combines size and creativity with improving play speed.
Fit: Could be a stabilizing second- or third-line player who generates offense and competes. Current trajectory suggests upside into a top-six role depending on maturation of his skating and strength.
Caveat: Needs to round out faceoffs and physicality; not yet a complete middle pivot.
4. Porter Martone – The Big Scoring Winger (RW)
Basic stats: 6’3″, 208 lbs, Brampton Steelheads, Canadian U18 team.
Why he matters: Lives in the top 5 in many mocks, earning praise as a potent scoring winger with size and smarts. Controls ice intelligently, plays off teammates, and delivers both goals and setups. Sportsnet suggests he could be NHL-ready as early as October.
Fit: Offers the Flyers a slugging, high-motor winger who can drive possession and score. Would fit in well with an offense that features equally energetic players like Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, and Trevor Zegras.
Caveat: Might be difficult to land at No. 6 if he ranks top 5 universally.
5. Caleb Desnoyers – The Complete Two-Way Center
Profile: 6’2″, 172 lbs, Moncton Wildcats.
Why he matters: A prototype responsible center with elite hockey IQ. Scored 84 points (35 G, 49 A) in 56 games and is projected as a top-10 talent. Plays full-throttle off the puck, sees the ice well, and praised for his all-situational impact. Older brother Elliot is a mainstay with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Fit: A ready-now pivot, he’s ideal for 2nd-line center roles in Philadelphia. Brings leadership, responsibility, and scoring to free-up other lines.
Caveat: May lack top-tier upside, but value comes in being a dependable two-way center.
So Who Makes Sense?
Best High Ceiling:
Hagens offers top-six center upside, elite playmaking, and high hockey IQ.
Martone adds size and scoring; for bold builds, he’s the best winger.
Safe and Reliable:
Desnoyers and O’Brien provide floor-first centers with complementary value.
Martin brings physicality with bottom-six polish and competes nightly.
Fit with Flyers’ Needs:
Center depth: Hagens, Desnoyers, O’Brien, or Martin all anchor middle ice.
Winger injection: Martone adds scoring and size to the wing.
Strategic Angle:
Landing a center means the Flyers fill a recurring need. Yet picking a winger spotlights the build-around strategy, adding a dynamic complement to the center-heavy top of the lineup.
The Final Word
At No. 6, the Flyers must weigh upside versus readiness:
If they want an elite, franchise potential pivot: Go Hagens.
If they prioritize competition and strength: Choose Martin.
If they want intelligent offense with stability: O’Brien could emerge as a play-driving second-tier center.
If they want a polished, two-way anchor now: Desnoyers fits like a glove.
If a skillful, physically strong winger intrigues them: Martone is a powerful statement.
Philadelphia’s front office has repeatedly emphasized trust in their scouting team and willingness to take bold swings. At No. 6, there’s room for both a high-ceiling choice and a college-bound safer bet. No matter who they choose, the pick will help continue to shape their forward group—or pivot the conversation to building around wingers and defensemen.
Tonight’s moment is more than a draft pick—it’s a philosophy in action. The Flyers can chase the high ceiling or fortify the core. Either way, it will reverberate through their rebuild in ways both immediate—and years down the line.