Philadelphia Flyers Make Strategic Moves in 2025 NHL Draft

The Philadelphia Flyers kicked off the 2025 NHL draft with a total of 10 selections, including three first-round picks and six within the top 50. This year’s draft is notably taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, a first for the event, which began Friday at 7 p.m. and continues Saturday at noon.

As the Flyers embark on a new phase of their rebuild, they recently bolstered their roster by acquiring talented forward Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. General Manager Danny Briere faces a busy weekend ahead, with options to either utilize all six picks or trade them for immediate NHL talent, move up in the draft order, or gather future assets.

Among the notable selections, the Flyers chose winger Porter Martone with the sixth overall pick. Martone, who captained the Brampton Steelheads in the Ontario Hockey League, was recognized as the sixth-best North American skater by NHL Central Scouting after an impressive season where he netted 37 goals and accumulated 98 points.

In a strategic move, Philadelphia traded up to secure Windsor center Jack Nesbitt with the 12th overall pick, sending their 22nd and 31st picks to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Standing at 6-foot-5, Nesbitt scored 25 goals in 65 games last season and was ranked as the 15th best North American skater by Central Scouting.

Last year, the Flyers concluded the draft with seven new players, highlighted by Jett Luchanko, who was selected 13th overall. Luchanko made his debut on the Flyers' opening-night roster, playing four games before returning to junior hockey. He is expected to vie for a spot on the NHL roster in the upcoming 2025-26 season.

In addition to Luchanko, the Flyers also drafted center Jack Berglund, defenseman Spencer Gill, center Heikki Ruohonen, right wing Noah Powell, right wing Ilya Pautov, and defenseman Austin Moline during the previous draft.