Who Do You Want at 6th OA?

[Evergreen]

Please forgive me, mods, if this post isn't allowed. I know there is a dedicated 2025 Draft thread, but I thought it would be fun to have a poll to see where Flyers fans stand on who they think the Flyers should draft with the 6th OA pick. For purposes of this poll, I will assume only Schaefer and Misa are off the board at that point. But please list your top 5 guys in the comments because it's possible your top choice will be taken by the time the Flyers pick.

My top 5 is as follows:

1. James Hagens
2. Porter Martone
3. Anton Frondell
4. Roger McQueen
5. Jake O'Brien

I doubt Hagens, Martone, and Frondell will be available with our pick, so I expect we will be selecting between McQueen, O'Brien, Desnoyers, and Martin. For some reason I can't get excited about Desnoyers and I don't think Martin is the right choice this early in the draft. But it will be an exciting draft for sure!

 

[ponder719]

(Implied Schaefer/Misa)

Hagens
Frondell
Martone

McQueen, if they are 100% convinced that his health is not an issue
Eklund

I'm really hoping that Utah or Nashville gets themselves talked into Brady Martin to protect us from that potential outcome and drop one of my top 3 down to us.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Desnoyers
Martone
Frondell
Hagens
Obrien

 

[FlyerNutter]

Hagens
Martone

Or Death

 

[Appleyard]

Hagens

Martone

Frondell

Desnoyers, Eklund

would be my top 5. Hagens clear tier of his own, Martone a bit behind, then Frondell... then Desnoyers and Eklund similar.

 

[Random Forest]

Frondell
Hagens

Martone
O’Brien/Desnoyers

 

[pooch]

Hagens
Frondell
Martone
Desnoyers
McQueen or O'Brien

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Cool with any of the following (no order for now)

Desnoyers
Martone
Frondell
Hagens

 

[bauer]

Hagens

Martone

Frondell

Desnoyers, Eklund

would be my top 5. Hagens clear tier of his own, Martone a bit behind, then Frondell... then Desnoyers and Eklund similar.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Hagens
Frondell
Desnoyers
Martone
O’Brien/McQueen

 

[BillDineen]

I do like Hagens, but also like the idea of Frondell and the trading up to the early teens to get eklund

 

[Beef Invictus]

I voted Hagens, but please understand that Mrtka will be very powerful.

 

[Evergreen]

Hagens

Martone

Frondell

Desnoyers, Eklund

would be my top 5. Hagens clear tier of his own, Martone a bit behind, then Frondell... then Desnoyers and Eklund similar.

Any particular reason why you’re higher on Eklund than O’Brien?

I’ve enjoyed your spots on PHLY Flyers btw.

 

[Appleyard]

Any particular reason why you’re higher on Eklund than O’Brien?

I’ve enjoyed your spots on PHLY Flyers btw.

His pace of play and how mature his game is.

I have a hard time seeing Eklund not end up a solid 2nd line winger, and think there is potential for him to be a ~P/GP player in the NHL.

Whereas O'Brien? He has skill, no doubting that. But he just coasts around all the time, has to improve his skating, improve his ability to get shots off, and struggles to create seperation at 5v5 at the junior level. Also needs to improve on D and in transition.

That is a LOT of things a player has to improve to be a good NHLer. Across different areas too.

Right now the only elite tool at junior level is his passing. And even then at 5v5 he can struggle to get space to make the passes he wants to.

If the Flyers were picking say ~8-10? I would be fine with it. Because there is for sure the upside if things go very well. He probably has more upside than Desnoyers really as his "soft tools" are better.

But it is a risky pick for sure, a pretty good chance that even if he hits 75-80th centile upside? He is a smaller, righty Kevin Hayes.

 

[Boocowski]

Desnoyers
Martone
Frondell
Hagens
Obrien

That's my top order as well. Also like Martin a whole lot but 6 is too high.

 

[FlyguyOX]

That's my top order as well. Also like Martin a whole lot but 6 is too high.

I've come around to Martone. Stylistically I think he could complement Michkov pretty well.

 

[sigma six]

Voted Hagens, because if he's there at #6 it would be ridiculous to pass on him.
If he's been taken already, I hope for Frondell next.

 

[BernieParent]

Hagens

Martone

Frondell

Desnoyers, Eklund

would be my top 5. Hagens clear tier of his own, Martone a bit behind, then Frondell... then Desnoyers and Eklund similar.

I thought you were giving the edge to Martone's ceiling, Alex, no?

 

[Philly Fanatik]

Hagens or Frondell ?
But those players will be scooped up and we’ll get the best of the leftover centres…
DESNOYERS!

* We need to hit on this pick…need a centre but also pick the BPA.
Need a whole lot of luck too!

 

[Appleyard]

I thought you were giving the edge to Martone's ceiling, Alex, no?

I think Hagens has a higher ceiling if all goes well. But both Hagens and Martone I think can be stars.

 

[Boocowski]

I've come around to Martone. Stylistically I think he could complement Michkov pretty well.

Good power forward. He doesn't fill the center need, but if you just go BPA and he's there at 6 I think you have to take him.

 

[swami24]

Best available C, no matter whom.

 

[Evergreen]

Well this turned into a blowout. In hindsight, I probably should have left Hagens out of this poll. But recent mock drafts have left open the possibility that Hagens is available when we pick. So let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

[Magua]

At least 1 person here understands what this team needs.

 

[scumpup]

Hagens

Martone

Frondell

Desnoyers, Eklund

would be my top 5. Hagens clear tier of his own, Martone a bit behind, then Frondell... then Desnoyers and Eklund similar.

I'm surprised you have Desnoyers in your top 5 picks for the flyers honestly. What changed your mind on him? I don't have the PHLY subscription so I havent gotten to read your article yet.