The Philadelphia Flyers have a major opportunity ahead of them at the 2024 NHL Draft. They are working through a rebuild, despite their playoff contention this past season. And they own the 12th overall pick in the draft later this month. With this selection, they could add a high-end talent to their prospect pipeline.
Where exactly general manager Daniel Briere goes with his pick is up for debate. Philadelphia certainly could use help at forward. Especially after trading Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks earlier this past season. Furthermore, they could use depth on the blueline, as well.
Of course, the first 11 picks will determine how Philadelphia approaches their selection. Still, there should be some promising talents on the board when they are on the clock. But which players are they better off passing on? Here are two players the Flyers should avoid at the 2024 NHL Draft.
Flyers should pass on Carter Yakemchuk
One defenseman expected to be available around the 12th overall pick is Calgary Hitmen star Carter Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk would certainly make the Flyers' prospect pipeline better. The Hitmen star is one of the more talented offensive blueliners in the class. Though his defense needs work, the offensive talent is definitely appealing.
However, Yakemchuk simply does not fit Philadelphia. He is a right-hand shot, and while teams covet right-shot defensemen, the Flyers have a stockpile of them. They drafted Oliver Bonk in the NHL Draft last year. And they traded for Jamie Drysdale earlier this season. Additionally, veterans Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen have a few years remaining on their contracts.
The right side of Philadelphia's defense has enough depth. However, the left side is rather barren. In fact, they have just one left-handed defenseman in their top prospects, according to The Athletic. A player like London Knights star Sam Dickinson would certainly fix this.
If Philadelphia wants to address the right side of their defense, they have another first-round pick. They have the Florida Panthers' selection from the Claude Giroux trade in 2022. That would be a better time for Briere to select a right-shot defenseman if he so chooses.
Flyers can pass on Adam Jiricek
Adam Jiricek is an interesting prospect. On one hand, the talent is undeniable. There are a lot of aspects to his game that teams will certainly like. However, there are legitimate concerns, as well. Chief among them being his injury history. Jiricek has already suffered multiple knee injuries prior to the 2024 NHL Draft.
Jiricek is a very competitive player on the ice. And his skill is definitely legitimate. If he was healthy, there's a chance he goes in the top-10 of this class. But the injuries have certainly driven his stock down. He could still go within the first 20 picks, but there is a good chance he falls to the latter stages of the first round, as well.
Additionally, Jiricek is a right-hand shot. Philadelphia has addressed the right side of their defense in recent years, so the fit is already murky at best. Combine that with his injury history, and this is a prospect the Flyers can certainly pass on with the 12th overall pick.
If Jiricek is still around at the end of the first round, there is a certainly a discussion to be had. That said, there are likely going to be other promising defensemen still on the board. And few of them carry the added injury risk that Jiricek brings to the table.
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