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New York Times
9 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Flyers add scoring, size in first round of NHL Draft with Porter Martone, Jack Nesbitt picks
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Headed into Friday's first round of the 2025 NHL draft, the Philadelphia Flyers system had two discernible needs: more size and snarl, particularly considering the way the league is trending lately, and another potentially high-end center. They may have addressed both with Porter Martone, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound agitating winger taken with the sixth-overall pick, and Jack Nesbitt, a 6-4, 183-pound pivot that they traded up to acquire 12th overall. Advertisement Regarding Martone, GM Daniel Briere stuck to his word from earlier this month when he suggested the plan was to select the best player available with the Flyers' highest pick. After there was a run on centers with Michael Misa, Anton Frondell, Caleb Desnoyers and Brady Martin going second through fifth, the Flyers snagged Martone, who posted 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games as a right wing for OHL Brampton this past season. 'We would have preferred a center, but we felt we couldn't pass up on a chance to bring a difference-maker like Porter Martone to the team,' Briere said. A legendary moment. Charles Barkley welcomes Porter Martone to the City of Brotherly Love. #NHLDraft — Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 28, 2025 Martone is viewed not only as a scorer but someone who can play an aggressive, physical style when necessary. That was overtly reflected in a trio of players Martone said he looks at as comparables: Corey Perry, Matthew Tkachuk and Wayne Simmonds. He also may be the most NHL-ready player of the draft. For one thing, wingers are typically better able to acclimate to the league more quickly than any other position, and Martone was the only winger selected among the first dozen picks. He also got a brief taste playing with and against NHL players after he earned an invite to the IIHF World Championships in May to skate for Team Canada at the conclusion of his junior season. Martone expressed a high level of confidence that his path to the NHL will be an abbreviated one, and Briere didn't necessarily disagree. 'At the World Championships (playing) against NHL players — I think I proved that I can do that. I think I proved that I fit in,' Martone said. 'But, I'm going to continue to get better every single day.' Said Briere: 'His body, the way he's built, is a little bigger, thicker guy. … He's a really good player already. He's pretty close to being ready. I don't know that it's going to be the right thing to play him this year in the upcoming season, but we'll see. If there's one thing I would say in this draft, he's pretty close to being the most ready out of that group.' Advertisement Martone is also familiar with three current Flyers from his experience at the World Championships: Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim and Tyson Foerster, who also skated for Team Canada. Briere said that he received texts from Sanheim and Konecny joyfully approving of the pick, while Foerster 'couldn't say more good things about Porter in trying to convince me to take him.' 'All three of those guys were tremendous to me,' said Martone, who was scoreless in two games in the tournament. 'One thing I noticed over there is how much they loved being a Flyer, and how much they take pride in being a Flyer. … I can't wait to be their teammate.' Nesbitt is more of a project than Martone. While his size and scoring are intriguing — he posted 64 points in 65 games with OHL Windsor this season — his skating is a distinct area of concern. Nesbitt knows it's something he needs to work on, while concurrently adding more bulk. 'I play a very physical game. As a bigger guy, I need to improve my skating and I'm looking to put on a little weight, so that's going to come, as well,' Nesbitt said. 'But, yeah, I'm going to be working a lot of my skating, quick feet. As a centerman, I have to get into the small areas pretty quick, and be able to forecheck.' That's clearly something that the Flyers figure Nesbitt, who was voted the most improved player in the OHL coaches poll, will be able to overcome, considering they paid a fairly hefty price to move up to take him in surrendering the 22nd and 31st overall picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins. According to a Flyers team source, the club was under the impression that Nesbitt, who was 15th in Corey Pronman's final mock draft, would be taken 'in the next pick or two,' which forced them into action. Why did they target Nesbitt so aggressively? 'The package,' Briere said. 'The combination of the size, the grit, the playmaking abilities, the goal scoring already. Second half of the season, he took a big step on a really good Windsor team.' Advertisement Regarding his skating, Briere compared Nesbitt with Foerster, who dropped to 23rd in the 2020 draft due to perceived skating issues, but has since become a key cog in the Flyers' future. 'If (Nesbitt) hits as a second-line center, it's going to be a huge asset for us,' Briere said. As for Martone and Nesbitt both having decent size, that's something that, if you believe Briere, was more of a coincidence than anything else. 'It's a nice bonus that they're both tall and will bring us size, as well,' he said. 'But it just kind of worked out that way. It wasn't a plan that we had in mind going into the draft that we wanted to get bigger. It just happened that way.' The Flyers have seven picks on Saturday when the draft resumes, including three in the top half of the second round (36, 40 and 48 overall). Briere said there were opportunities to move up again late in the first round, but after trading a second-round pick to Anaheim as part of the deal for Trevor Zegras, and losing the 31st overall pick in the move to grab Nesbitt, they will likely use at least their three second-rounders on Saturday. (Top photo of Jack Nesbitt: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Philadelphia Flyers NHL Draft guide: Picks, best fits and analysis
Even after dealing a second-round pick as part of the package to acquire Trevor Zegras from Anaheim earlier this week, the Philadelphia Flyers still have six selections within the top 50 of this weekend's draft, including one in the top 10: Nos. 6, 22, 31, 36, 40, 48, 68, 132, 157, 164. While it's a prime opportunity for general manager Daniel Briere to keep restocking the system, the possibility is also there for the Flyers to move around in the draft, or to make more trades for a player or players who could immediately help them. Advertisement Even though the Flyers picked quality young center Jett Luchanko in 2024, I would still list this as Philly's biggest need. The Flyers lack high-end talent at the position, and there isn't much coming other than Luchanko. Their blue line depth isn't great either in terms of prospects, but between the two, I would still lean to adding more up the middle. In recent mock drafts, Corey Pronman has projected the following picks: 6. Jake O'Brien, C 22. Logan Hensler, D 31. Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, C 36. Vaclav Nestrasil, RW 40. Jacob Rombach, D 45. Matthew Gard, C 48. Ivan Ryabkin, C 68. Maxim Agafonov, D 132. Teddy Mutryn, C 157. Charlie Cerrato, C 164. Jordan Charron, RW (Photo of Flyers GM Daniel Briere: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about the Flyers' approach to goalies and centers, AHL coaching and more
One notable tidbit from Flyers general manager Daniel Briere's post-Trevor Zegras media conference call on Monday was the suggestion that the search for another center this summer is still going. When asked how the club might fill the void left by fourth-line center Ryan Poehling, who was sent to Anaheim as part of the Zegras trade, Briere said: 'There's possibilities internally, but we're also going to look on the outside. We'll see on (July 1) or on the trade front, if there's anything that makes sense.' Advertisement My understanding, from a team source, is that the Flyers' desire for another pivot is designed to give the coaching staff more options. As has been written already, the club hopes Zegras thrives a return to the middle of the ice, but there are no assurances that will happen. Coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged as much on Tuesday in an interview with The Athletic, saying that he has no idea if, for example, a Zegras-Matvei Michkov line is something that will work. The Flyers aren't going to be in the market for Sam Bennett, who seems unlikely to hit free agency anyway, according to recent reports. But one player worth keeping an eye on is 29-year-old Pius Suter, who spent the last two seasons playing for Tocchet in Vancouver. It's believed that the two had a good working relationship. The numbers certainly suggest that. Suter went from 14 goals and 29 points in 67 games in 2023-24 in Tocchet's first season in Vancouver, to 25 goals and 46 points in 81 games this past season. Suter isn't fast. He's not very big, either, at 5-foot-11 and 179 pounds. But he is versatile, playing up and down the Canucks' lineup, and he's known as an extremely smart and responsible two-way player, too. His next contract is projected at four years at approximately $5 million AAV, which might be palatable for the Flyers, who still have $15 million of cap space — which doesn't include extensions for RFAs Cam York or Jakob Pelletier, but also doesn't count the injured Ryan Ellis' $6.25 million, either. And, of course, the Flyers are still searching for another goalie to pair with Samuel Ersson. According to a team source, they're reluctant to sign any of the goalies on the free-agent market to any deals longer than two years, which could take them out of the running for a guy such as Jake Allen, who's probably the best pending UFA goalie at the moment and could be in demand. Advertisement It's also worth mentioning that TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Wednesday that the Canucks' Thatcher Demko is likely to sign an extension to remain in Vancouver. That could open the door for the club to move 24-year-old goalie Arturs Silovs, who has had spot duty with the Canucks while also thriving for AHL Abbotsford, where he just helped that team capture the Calder Cup and was named MVP of the playoffs. Might Silovs, who is signed through next season at an $850,000 salary, be a guy that the Flyers make a call on? One other goalie note: the Flyers still expect Aleksei Kolosov to report to training camp in September. Kolosov's agent, Dan Milstein, confirmed via text that they 'haven't had any other discussions otherwise.' Perhaps Kolosov will be amenable to reporting to the Phantoms next season, assuming he doesn't make the Flyers out of camp? Expect John Snowden, who served as an assistant coach on Ian Laperriere's staff with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the past two seasons, to take over the head coaching job, according to multiple sources. As for when the Flyers make that official, that's still uncertain, as they are still deciding on Snowden's staff. Snowden, 43, was an assistant coach for the AHL's Toronto Marlies for two seasons from 2021-2023, after serving as the head coach for the ECHL's Newfoundland Growlers in 2018-19 and 2019-20. He won a league championship with the Growlers in 2019. As for Laperriere, who was named a Flyers hockey operations advisor after his removal from the Phantoms' bench, it's believed he would prefer to return to coaching, even if that meant departing the Flyers organization. Before last season started, John Tortorella spoke about how the Flyers planned on getting input from every corner of the organization to try and fix the abysmal power play? It didn't work, of course, as the Flyers still finished 30th in the league. And, according to team sources, that process didn't really work in the way Tortorella had presented, in that not everyone felt their views were being heard or considered, and that players were judged based on known strengths, with less of an emphasis on teaching. Advertisement Remember, Briere mentioned that he was looking for a 'teacher' throughout his search for a new head coach. Tocchet, as has been well documented, has overseen successful NHL power plays as a coach in the past, along with his frequent role on the power play as a power forward. Assistant coach Yogi Svejkovsky didn't regularly play on the power play in his brief NHL career, but he did at lower levels. They can both teach based on their own personal experiences. That's different than Thompson, who was known more as an enforcer throughout his mostly minor league career, and Tortorella, who never played at a high level, either. There's still no word on whether prospect Maxim Shabanov will join the Flyers on July 1, according to team sources, despite more unverified reports out of Russia. Regardless, don't expect Shabanov, if he does sign, to simply be handed an NHL roster spot. There is legitimate skepticism about whether the 5-foot-8, 157-pounder will be able to stick at the NHL level, even after his strong KHL season, in which he finished third in the league in scoring. Keep in mind, too, that Shabanov will turn 25 in October. Most of his prime development years are already behind him. Expectations should be tempered. Still, the Flyers hope he signs. The are encouraged by his recent play, and look at it as a no-risk opportunity to take a swing on a player who still could have some potential. One prospect I'll be intrigued to see at development camp next week is right-shot defenseman Spencer Gill. The Flyers were aggressive in moving up to select him with the No. 59 pick in the second round last year, and assistant general manager Brent Flahr spoke recently about how much bulk Gill added to his 6-4 frame. According to Flahr, Gill is up to about 215 pounds after he was drafted at 185 pounds. Gill suffered an ankle injury in February that ultimately prevented him from playing in the Memorial Cup for Rimouski Oceanic. In 51 games with Rimouski before the injury, Gill posted six goals and 29 assists for 35 points. He rehabbed at the Flyers' training facility in Voorhees, N.J, and a source close to the player put Gill's health at '90 percent' for the upcoming camp. (Photo of Arturs Silovs: Derek Cain / Getty Images)
New York Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
What will Trevor Zegras' arrival via trade mean for the Flyers' need at center?
The Philadelphia Flyers were always going to have to get creative in order to fill the substantial weakness straight through the middle of their line chart. General manager Daniel Briere essentially suggested as much last week when he said that 'calling around the league and finding centers is almost impossible. You're not going to find a first-line or second-line center.' Advertisement So, enter a guy who has spent the vast majority of the past two seasons actually playing left wing for the Anaheim Ducks, but who the Flyers presumably hope can shift back to his natural position of center when he was drafted at No. 9 overall in 2019: Trevor Zegras. The Flyers almost certainly made this trade — dealing Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second round pick (No. 45 overall) and a 2026 fourth round pick — with the idea that Zegras can skate as a center on one of their top two lines. Perhaps they envision him with budding star Matvei Michkov, forming a duo that can dazzle in the offensive zone with a particular flair and ingenuity. Or, maybe Michkov remains with Sean Couturier, giving Zegras an opportunity to fully unlock and connect with someone such as Owen Tippett, who took a step backward in his production this season but still has a substantial tool box. Training camp in September will give new coach Rick Tocchet ample time to mix and match, and see what sort of chemistry develops. Speaking about the trade on Monday afternoon, Briere said that ultimately it will be up to Tocchet to determine which position Zegras plays. But, Briere acknowledged, 'we hope he can help in the center position, because that's obviosuly an area that we could improve.' After Zegras skated in the middle for the early part of his career — including during his rookie season, when he finished second in Calder Trophy voting for rookie of the year, with 61 points in 75 games as a 20-year-old — now former Ducks coach Greg Cronin moved him to the wing to start the 2023-24 season, in order to make room for up-and-coming centers such as Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. Zegras's production dipped. He managed only six goals and 15 points in 31 games in 2023-24, while tallying 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 57 games this season. To be fair, there were some notable injuries to Zegras' groin, ankle and knee the past two years that likely contributed to his drop in offense, while his name was in persistent trade rumors, too, which probably didn't help (Briere admitted they had discussions with the Ducks about Zegras in the past.) Advertisement But, that drop in scoring is 'why he was available in the first place,' Briere said. 'Top-six talents are very rarely available around the NHL. We felt that was a risk worth taking for us. We've seen him in the past. He had those really good seasons at 20 and 21 years old. Yes, injuries were a factor the last couple years. Other than that, it's tough for us to tell on the outside. We're not in the room, we're not with the coaching staff, the other players. Sometimes it can be chemistry, as well.' Briere said that he spoke with Zegras on Monday, although they didn't get into specifics regarding where he might play. Still, it seems inevitable he'll get an opportunity to thrive in his preferred position, at least according to Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek, who mentioned the player's desire to skate in the middle again. 'Ultimately, Trevor, he's been wanting to play center,' Verbeek said. 'And I think he'll be given that opportunity in Philadelphia to play center. I think he's more creative in the middle of the ice than having to play from the wing. We're fortunate there's Leo and there's Mason. We find that they're two pretty good centermen. Trevor has to kind of get pushed to the wing, and that probably doesn't suit his best attributes, being able to play and create from the middle.' As others have already mentioned, this isn't much of a high-risk transaction for the Flyers. In fact, It could be considered a blueprint in asset management. Briere acquired what was a distressed property in the 2023 offseason in Poehling, saw him turn into a more than serviceable fourth-line center, and made him the centerpiece of a deal that could — emphasis on could — pay off terrifically if Zegras can get back on track. Further, the second-round pick the Flyers surrendered, originally property of Columbus, was a part of the Ivan Provorov trade two years ago, a deal that also netted them defenseman Sean Walker, who was flipped last season for the No. 22 overall pick in this year's draft. Further, Zegras has just one more year left on his contract at a $5.75 million AAV, after which he'll be a restricted free agent under team control. The Flyers can re-up him a year from now (or earlier) if he proves his worth, or walk away if he doesn't. Advertisement So, will he? One pro scout familiar with the Pacific Division believes the Flyers taking a chance on Zegras is sensible. 'I didn't mind the swing here,' said the scout. 'Obviously, Z has his warts, areas that need work, but can't deny his skill set/talent. … First time changing organizations, and a new scenery could help. See it as a low-risk, high-reward type deal for a 24-year-old player with point-per-game potential.' A current Eastern Conference assistant coach was a bit more skeptical, saying that Zegras has 'skill that is undeniable,' but questioning whether his style would fit on any of the four teams that advanced to the conference finals this year. Added a Western Conference assistant coach: 'Very skilled and talented. His issue has been that he doesn't value play without the puck. Will continue to be an issue until he decides it is important.' It's fair, also, to note that while Briere didn't surrender a lot to acquire Zegras, that might also reflect the player's diminished value around the league. Still, if Zegras reaches his potential, he could be just what the Flyers need: an infusion of elite-level skill who can create something about of nothing, and who can get the organization moving in the right direction again next season, as is the plan. Briere still has some work to do if that's going to happen — finding another experienced goalie remains at the top of the list, and they also now need to fill the fourth-line center void left by Poehling — but there's a good chance that the acquisition of Zegras ends up being their most notable transaction of the still-early offseason. 'We feel good about it because of what he's shown in the past,' Briere said. 'We hope he can find that magic again, and take it to another level.' (Photo of Trevor Zegras: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Isaac Paredes' diving stop
With Donato Off The Market, Flyers Face Uphill Climb In Hunt For Center The Philadelphia Flyers are still in the early stages of a full roster rebuild, and GM Daniel Briere has been frank in discussing the road he's been travelling as he tries to put together young talent to be the core of his lineup. And on Tuesday, Briere held a pre-entry draft press conference in which he made it clear one area the Flyers are focusing on – the center position – wouldn't be easy to address. 2:25 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
