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A look back at Flyers 1st-round draft picks from past decade

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With the 2020 NHL draft in the rearview mirror, let's take a look back at every first-round pick the Flyers have made in the past decade ... there's a pretty decent number of them.

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<p>With the 2020 NHL draft in the rearview mirror, there was an interesting stat that came to mind — more specifically following the Flyers drafting Tyson Forester at 23rd overall. The Flyers currently have the longest streak in the Metropolitan Division when it comes to having at least one selection in the first round of the draft. This number currently sits at 10, dating back to 2011. </p>

<p><em>A look at the remainder of the division: </em><br />
<strong>Hurricanes</strong> (eight consecutive drafts)<br />
<strong>Devils</strong> (seven consecutive drafts)<br />
<strong>Rangers</strong> (four consecutive drafts) <br />
<strong>Capitals</strong> (three consecutive drafts)<br />
<strong>Blue Jackets</strong> (one draft) <br />
<strong>Islanders</strong> (zero consecutive drafts) <br />
<strong>Penguins</strong> (zero consecutive drafts) </p>

<p>Let's take a look at all of the Flyers first round picks through the past decade and what they've done since becoming a part of the organization. </p>

With the 2020 NHL draft in the rearview mirror, there was an interesting stat that came to mind — more specifically following the Flyers drafting Tyson Forester at 23rd overall. The Flyers currently have the longest streak in the Metropolitan Division when it comes to having at least one selection in the first round of the draft. This number currently sits at 10, dating back to 2011. 

A look at the remainder of the division: 
Hurricanes (eight consecutive drafts)
Devils (seven consecutive drafts)
Rangers (four consecutive drafts) 
Capitals (three consecutive drafts)
Blue Jackets (one draft) 
Islanders (zero consecutive drafts) 
Penguins (zero consecutive drafts) 

Let's take a look at all of the Flyers first round picks through the past decade and what they've done since becoming a part of the organization. 

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<p><em><strong>2011 draft - selected eighth overall </strong></em></p>

<p>In the past three seasons, Couturier has climbed the rankings among current Flyers and is now easily the top player on the team. He's grown into a leader - now bearing the "A" on his sweater, has had two 30-plus goal seasons and wrapped up 2019-20 as the winner of the Selke Trophy. </p>

2011 draft - selected eighth overall 

In the past three seasons, Couturier has climbed the rankings among current Flyers and is now easily the top player on the team. He's grown into a leader - now bearing the "A" on his sweater, has had two 30-plus goal seasons and wrapped up 2019-20 as the winner of the Selke Trophy. 

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<p><em><strong>2012 draft - selected 20th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>Scott Laughton has gradually grown as a player since being drafted by the organization. In recent years he has been a sturdy and reliable as a bottom-six player and has taken on even more responsibility on the penalty kill. The 2019-20 season was easily his best yet - and with only playing 49 games - it should be very interesting to see how next season pans out for Laughton. In 33 less games, he surpassed his career-best in goals - collecting 13. </p>

2012 draft - selected 20th overall 

Scott Laughton has gradually grown as a player since being drafted by the organization. In recent years he has been a sturdy and reliable as a bottom-six player and has taken on even more responsibility on the penalty kill. The 2019-20 season was easily his best yet - and with only playing 49 games - it should be very interesting to see how next season pans out for Laughton. In 33 less games, he surpassed his career-best in goals - collecting 13. 

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<p><em><strong>2013 draft - selected 11th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>Morin was a draft pick that many were thrilled about when it was announced. He was the fourth-highest defenseman to be selected, but has also played the third-fewest games from this draft class. He is a huge, physical defender that the Flyers would still greatly benefit from, since there really isn't any other defenseman with his exact qualities currently in the organization. Morin has had an unfortunate start to his career, given the amount of injuries he's had to endure. So this makes for him to be one of the more interesting and curious draft picks of the decade. </p>

2013 draft - selected 11th overall 

Morin was a draft pick that many were thrilled about when it was announced. He was the fourth-highest defenseman to be selected, but has also played the third-fewest games from this draft class. He is a huge, physical defender that the Flyers would still greatly benefit from, since there really isn't any other defenseman with his exact qualities currently in the organization. Morin has had an unfortunate start to his career, given the amount of injuries he's had to endure. So this makes for him to be one of the more interesting and curious draft picks of the decade. 

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<p><em><strong>2014 draft - selected 17th overall</strong></em></p>

<p>Sanheim didn't officially turn pro until the start of the 2016-17 season, when he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and his journey to find a home on the Flyers roster wasn't the easiest ... up until this past season, that is. Sanheim quickly and efficiently became one of the strongest, most reliable blue liners on the Flyers. His responsibilities have increased because he's able to be trusted and is even able to contribute offensively from time to time. </p>

2014 draft - selected 17th overall

Sanheim didn't officially turn pro until the start of the 2016-17 season, when he joined the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and his journey to find a home on the Flyers roster wasn't the easiest ... up until this past season, that is. Sanheim quickly and efficiently became one of the strongest, most reliable blue liners on the Flyers. His responsibilities have increased because he's able to be trusted and is even able to contribute offensively from time to time. 

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<p>2015 draft -selected seventh overall </p>

<p>Since Provorov joined the organization, he's done just about everything you could ask of such a young player. Expectations were set high (and met) in his first season - and while he stumbled a bit in 2018-19 - Matt Niskanen helped him find the best version of his game once again. He has yet to miss a regular season game and has collected a solid 133 points (43 goals, 90 assists) through his first four seasons. He is also a monster when it comes to time on ice, averaging 23:59.  </p>

2015 draft -selected seventh overall 

Since Provorov joined the organization, he's done just about everything you could ask of such a young player. Expectations were set high (and met) in his first season - and while he stumbled a bit in 2018-19 - Matt Niskanen helped him find the best version of his game once again. He has yet to miss a regular season game and has collected a solid 133 points (43 goals, 90 assists) through his first four seasons. He is also a monster when it comes to time on ice, averaging 23:59.  

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<p><em><strong>2015 draft - selected 24th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>Konecny has been such a fun player to watch grow within his first four seasons in the NHL. While he has ended the past three seasons stalled at the 24 goal mark, due to the stoppage of play because of the coronavirus, he would have easily hit a new career high in that category. Still, after signing a new contract during trianing camp last September, he led the Flyers in goals and points this year. There is much more to come from Konecny, so it's exciting to see his game take shape. (The chirping is always a bonus, as well.) </p>

2015 draft - selected 24th overall 

Konecny has been such a fun player to watch grow within his first four seasons in the NHL. While he has ended the past three seasons stalled at the 24 goal mark, due to the stoppage of play because of the coronavirus, he would have easily hit a new career high in that category. Still, after signing a new contract during trianing camp last September, he led the Flyers in goals and points this year. There is much more to come from Konecny, so it's exciting to see his game take shape. (The chirping is always a bonus, as well.) 

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<p><em><strong>2016 draft - selected 22nd overall </strong></em></p>

<p>Rubtsov is yet another interesting case when it comes to his development, because yet again, injuries have played a huge factor in not being able to determine his current playing state. He did get his first taste of NHL action in the beginning of the 2019-20 season, but it lasted just four games before he was sent back down to the Phantoms. In the AHL, he has showed flashes of pure talent, especially when it comes to puck control, but that disappeared with the Flyers for those few games. </p>

2016 draft - selected 22nd overall 

Rubtsov is yet another interesting case when it comes to his development, because yet again, injuries have played a huge factor in not being able to determine his current playing state. He did get his first taste of NHL action in the beginning of the 2019-20 season, but it lasted just four games before he was sent back down to the Phantoms. In the AHL, he has showed flashes of pure talent, especially when it comes to puck control, but that disappeared with the Flyers for those few games. 

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<p><em><strong>2017 draft - selected second overall </strong></em></p>

<p>This pick had everyone thrilled, because it felt like there was finally going to be depth down the center of the roster for the Flyers. Patrick's first two seasons with the Flyers were rather ordinary, but he's young and that's expected when making a transition pro. What is concerning though is what kept him out for the entirety of the 2019-20 season - being diagnosed with a migraine disorder. The last Flyers game he played in was April 2, 2019. While general manager Chuck Fletcher has noted that he is making progress that seems encouraging for next season, it's still difficult to see the timeline for his return. </p>

2017 draft - selected second overall 

This pick had everyone thrilled, because it felt like there was finally going to be depth down the center of the roster for the Flyers. Patrick's first two seasons with the Flyers were rather ordinary, but he's young and that's expected when making a transition pro. What is concerning though is what kept him out for the entirety of the 2019-20 season - being diagnosed with a migraine disorder. The last Flyers game he played in was April 2, 2019. While general manager Chuck Fletcher has noted that he is making progress that seems encouraging for next season, it's still difficult to see the timeline for his return. 

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<p><em><strong>2017 draft - selected 27th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>Since being drafted, Frost has probably been one of the most talked about prospects in the Flyers organization, based on his ridiculous numbers he produced in the OHL. His last two seasons with the Greyhounds, he was a point producing machine, having over 100 points in each. He is on the smaller side, but is very quick on his skates and holds such a raw talent when it comes to his shooting abilities. This past season, he started to find success with the Phantoms, but struggled to make that next jump with the Flyers. And that is perfectly okay because every prospect develops differently. </p>

<p>It shouldn't be long before Frost etches his name in a permanent roster spot with the club. </p>

2017 draft - selected 27th overall 

Since being drafted, Frost has probably been one of the most talked about prospects in the Flyers organization, based on his ridiculous numbers he produced in the OHL. His last two seasons with the Greyhounds, he was a point producing machine, having over 100 points in each. He is on the smaller side, but is very quick on his skates and holds such a raw talent when it comes to his shooting abilities. This past season, he started to find success with the Phantoms, but struggled to make that next jump with the Flyers. And that is perfectly okay because every prospect develops differently. 

It shouldn't be long before Frost etches his name in a permanent roster spot with the club. 

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<p><em><strong>2018 draft- selected 14th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>What a fun draft pick Farabee has been for the Flyers - and he's only been in the organization for two seasons - one of them being at Boston University. In his first and only year in the NCAA, he averaged just under a point per game, having 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) through 37 games. He ability to adapt with any league has been quite impressive and that was no different when he made the jump to the NHL in 2019-20. Even from the beginning to the end of this season, there was clear growth in his game. And for him being just 20 years old, he's going to be something special and soon. <br />
 </p>

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2018 draft- selected 14th overall 

What a fun draft pick Farabee has been for the Flyers - and he's only been in the organization for two seasons - one of them being at Boston University. In his first and only year in the NCAA, he averaged just under a point per game, having 36 points (17 goals, 19 assists) through 37 games. He ability to adapt with any league has been quite impressive and that was no different when he made the jump to the NHL in 2019-20. Even from the beginning to the end of this season, there was clear growth in his game. And for him being just 20 years old, he's going to be something special and soon. 
 

 

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<p><em><strong>2018 draft - selected 19th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>O'Brien was pick 2/2 in the first round back in 2018, just five picks after Farabee. Since Farabee has already made his debut with the Flyers, it feels like O'Brien is often overlooked when it comes to prospects, since they didn't develop their game at the same rate. This doesn't mean to sleep on O'Brien - because he put up incredible numbers in the BCHL last season with 66 points (25 goals, 41 assists) through 46 games. He's expected to play for Boston University in 2020-21, so make sure to keep an eye on him. </p>

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2018 draft - selected 19th overall 

O'Brien was pick 2/2 in the first round back in 2018, just five picks after Farabee. Since Farabee has already made his debut with the Flyers, it feels like O'Brien is often overlooked when it comes to prospects, since they didn't develop their game at the same rate. This doesn't mean to sleep on O'Brien - because he put up incredible numbers in the BCHL last season with 66 points (25 goals, 41 assists) through 46 games. He's expected to play for Boston University in 2020-21, so make sure to keep an eye on him. 

 

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<p><em><strong>2019 draft - selected 14th overall </strong></em></p>

<p>The Flyers traded their 11th overall pick to the Coyotes in exchange for their 14th and 45th overall picks. That 14th selection landed them a defenseman that has the potential to have an incredible upside when he turns pro. </p>

<p>York spent this past season playing for the University of Michigan and is expected to return for his sophomore year. He played 30 games in his rookie year and collected 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists). York is an incredibly smart player and holds a high hockey IQ which is displayed every time he's on the ice. He is a very talented player and easily one of the top prospects currently in the organization. </p>

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2019 draft - selected 14th overall 

The Flyers traded their 11th overall pick to the Coyotes in exchange for their 14th and 45th overall picks. That 14th selection landed them a defenseman that has the potential to have an incredible upside when he turns pro. 

York spent this past season playing for the University of Michigan and is expected to return for his sophomore year. He played 30 games in his rookie year and collected 16 points (5 goals, 11 assists). York is an incredibly smart player and holds a high hockey IQ which is displayed every time he's on the ice. He is a very talented player and easily one of the top prospects currently in the organization. 

 

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<p><em><strong>2020 draft - selected 23rd overall </strong></em></p>

<p>In the latest draft class, the Flyers added a prospect who is best known for his shooting ability. He has a lethal shot at just 18 years old and if he continues to develop it, he'll become one heck of a valuable asset to the Flyers. </p>

<p>The only downside to this being a virtual draft was that we weren't able to get any epic media day pictures from the team's newest addition. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/flyers/2020-nhl-draft-flyers-take-ohl-winger-tyson-foerster-23rd-overall-pick">You can read more on Foerster here.</a> </p>

2020 draft - selected 23rd overall 

In the latest draft class, the Flyers added a prospect who is best known for his shooting ability. He has a lethal shot at just 18 years old and if he continues to develop it, he'll become one heck of a valuable asset to the Flyers. 

The only downside to this being a virtual draft was that we weren't able to get any epic media day pictures from the team's newest addition. 

You can read more on Foerster here. 

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