The Flyers went into the 2020 Draft looking to add best player available at each pick. Let’s take a dive into each pick from this years draft!

Pick #23: Tyson Foerster

With the 23rd pick the Flyers selected RW, Tyson Foerster from the Barrie Colts. It’s no secret among Flyers fans that the Flyers lack a real pure goal scorer on the team and in the pipeline. Chuck Fletcher just got one. Foerster possesses one of the best pure shots in this draft class along with excellent hockey IQ. He ranked fifth among first-year draft eligible forwards in the league, with 80 points.

Putting up 36 goals and 44 assists in 62 games last year, Foerster is no stranger to the back of the net. A PP specialist, who likes to set up on the left wall and rip shots, look at this bullet.

There are some risks with this pick though, Foerster needs to work on his 5 on 5 play, a long with his defensive side of the game. His skating is the big question mark. Scouts are worried he doesn’t have that explosiveness and acceleration it takes to make it into the NHL.

Foerster’s skating coach, Paul Matheson released a thread of videos on twitter, showing the work Foerster has been putting in to gear up for the NHL draft. Foersters skating used to be high & top heavy. He’s now sitting lower, now there’s more weight over his legs for power.

The Flyers are no strangers to selecting guys who have skating issues. Oskar Lindblom biggest knock was his explosive skating, it’s not his best quality now but it certainly doesn’t hold him back. Wade Allison had some worries about his skating, he’s looking to take a shot at the NHL come this training camp. Bobby Brink’s knock was the same as Foerster’s, lacks explosiveness and has a weird stride. He’s going back to the University of Denver for his sophomore year after putting up 11G-13A-24P in 28 games as a freshman. Still needs to work on his skating.

If the Flyers and Foerster’s skating coach can work together and fix his skating, you have a stud pick here. A little risk comes with it, but when you have a really good prospect pool, risks are okay, I like the pick from Chuck.

Foerster played in the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game and he put on a show. If you give this kid time and space to shoot, you’re going to wish you didn’t.

Flyers fans don’t have to worry about yelling “SHOOOOOOOOT” with this kid. He’s going to wind back and fire one before you can even get the “S”. The kid loves shooting the puck and that’s something the Flyers have been desperately missing in this pipeline. Someone whose specialty is wiring the puck. We have that guy now.

Welcome to Philadelphia, Tyson Foerster!

Pick #54: Emil Andrae

At 5 ’9 183 pounds, Andrae is a defenseman in the Swedish Professional League, who brings a skilled, calm puck moving game to the table. He’s a highly skilled player with terrific hands who can create plays on the rush with ease. He transitions from defense to offense well. Putting up 11G-27A-38P-40GP for the HV71 H20 Super Elite team. If you like to watch a defenseman easily walk the blue line, find a sliver of light through the traffic and flick a wrist shot through, look no further. This kid has a really good feel for the blue line.

Andrae isn’t the biggest or fastest player on the ice but he uses his skill and elusiveness to make tight plays while in the defensive zone. He has a good short gap game, using his elusiveness in the defensive zone to get out of high danger areas. Andrae plays with a chip on his shoulder, not being the biggest guy in the world he’ll still throw his shoulder at you when you’re in the corner and thank you for coming. No stranger to contact, he doesn’t let his size and weight speak for him, he lets his heart do the talking. He’s solid at both ends of the ice and isn’t afraid to jump up on the play, using his playmaking ability to make a play and find the open man. Skating is sort of an issue, having a choppy stride, but it’s nothing too serious. He has good straight line speed, but not the fastest.

Sometimes finds himself caught behind the play due to his aggressive pinch plays due to his aggressiveness on the pinch.

Pick #94: Zayde Wisdom

After trading the 116th & 147th overall picks in the draft to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Flyer saw something and drafted forward, Zayde Wisdom.

Coming in at 5’10 and weighing 200 pounds, Wisdom put up 29G-30A-59P-62GP last year for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL. Wisdom plays a hard nosed, in your face kind of game. A kid that get involved in the forecheck, delivers a big hit and then scores while causing havoc in front of the net. But, that’s not the only part of Wisdom’s game, he has a lot of skill as well. Wisdom possesses a nice shot and has really quick hands in tight. Take a look at this play.

There aren’t enough good words to say about this kid, winner of the E.J McGuire Award of Excellence, an award giving to a player who “best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism.” Overcoming a ton of hardships growing up, it’s truly a remarkable story to see him being drafted into the NHL, he deserves all of it. A kid that jumped up draft rankings after a breakout sophomore year.

Watch this video on Zayde, you won’t regret it.

https://www.tsn.ca/video/tsn-original-nothing-given~2049357

Known for his hard work and dedication, Zayde wants people to keep doubting him, he likes it. He also likes where he was drafted, thinking he’s the perfect fit for a city like Philadelphia. Big body kind of hockey along with the skill to pot a goal at any time, hopefully he can put it all together and eventually make a run at the Flyers. I’m not going to doubt the kid. He might not be the fastest, strongest or most skilled guy on the ice, but what I can say is, he has a huge heart and wants it. What more can you ask for?

I’m fully ready to run through a brick wall for this kid, rooting for him.

Pick 135: Elliot Desnoyers

Chuck hit the phones again, this time trading the 202nd and 209th overall pick for the 135th overall pick.

A 5’11, 175lb LW from Halifax Mooseheads, Desnoyers isn’t known for his offensive game. Putting up 11G-24A-35P-60Gp in 2019-2020 for the Moncton Wildcats, later being traded to the Halifax Mooseheads. Desnoyer’s known for his great defensive, two-way game.

Desnoyer was the 175th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting coming into the 2020 draft. Playing a heavy two-way game, while doing whatever it takes to put his team and teammates in the right spot to succeed. Desnoyer’s an unselfish player. He’ll make that play along the boards to free up the puck taking his man out of the play leaving the puck to be picked up by his fellow teammate. He enjoys doing the little things that have to be done to win hockey games. If Desnoyer can find his offensive game and be more consistent in that area, adding in his already strong two-way game, I could see this being a nice pick for Chuck Fletcher. I like the risk he’s taking in these later rounds.

The kid just gets it.

Pick 178: Connor McClennon

The Flyers take another sniper, a guy that can just flat out shoot the puck from anywhere. McClennon stands at 5’8 and weighs about 160lb, he’s on the smaller side but that’s the chances you take when you start to get to these later rounds, you take risks.

Drafted 2nd overall in the 2017 WHL Draft, McClennon went on his Freshman year putting up 14G-15A-29P-46GP as a rookie. McClennon also played at the 2018 Under-17, scoring eight goals and 11 points in 5 tournament games.

Scoring 21G-28A-49P-42Gp, his season was cut short due to a broken collarbone. Make no mistake this kid can pot goals. He needs to add weight and get bigger in order to make the next step, but he’s been a great goal scorer in every league he’s played in.

Here’s McClennon stick checking a player, getting the puck, turning up ice and potting a huge OT goal. Looks like Alex Debrincat out there.

A kid that plays with a high motor, likes to shoot the puck and has great hands this late in the draft? I’ll take it.

The kid seems pretty excited to be joining the Flyers organization!

Mandatory Credit : Philadelphia Flyers + verybarriecolts.com