Albeit under different circumstances, another NHL draft is here for general manager Chuck Fletcher, assistant general manager Brent Flahr and company.
Because of the stoppage forced by the coronavirus outbreak and the consequential return-to-play 24-team tournament later in the summer, the 2020 draft is being conducted virtually during October rather than at an NHL arena in late June.
The 2020 draft marks the second for the Flyers under Fletcher and Flahr. Here's how the club made out in 2019.
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In 2020, the Flyers own seven picks, including No. 23 overall during the first round Tuesday night.
Day 2 begins Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. ET, wrapping up the draft with Rounds 2-7. The Flyers on Wednesday hold the following selections: second round, 54th overall; fourth round, 116th overall; fifth round, 147th overall; sixth round, 178th overall; seventh round, 202nd overall; seventh round, 209th overall.
We'll have everything you need to know for then, but first, let's get you set for Day 1.
Essentials, Day 1
NHL
When: Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Draft is held virtually
Network: NBCSN
Live stream: NBC Sports
Social media: @NBCSPhilly
Order
1. New York Rangers
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. Ottawa Senators (from SJS)
4. Detroit Red Wings
5. Ottawa Senators
6. Anaheim Ducks
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Buffalo Sabres
9. Minnesota Wild
10. Winnipeg Jets
11. Nashville Predators
12. Florida Panthers
13. Carolina Hurricanes (from TOR)
14. Edmonton Oilers
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (from PIT)
16. Montreal Canadiens
17. Chicago Blackhawks
18. New Jersey Devils (from ARI)
19. Calgary Flames
20. New Jersey Devils (from VAN via TBL)
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
22. New York Rangers (from CAR)
23. Philadelphia Flyers
24. Washington Capitals
25. Colorado Avalanche
26. St. Louis Blues
27. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS)
28. Ottawa Senators (from NYI)
29. Vegas Golden Knights
30. Dallas Stars
31. San Jose Sharks (from TBL)
Flyers' focus
The Flyers will draft the best player available at No. 23 overall.
Given the club took three defensemen in the first four rounds last summer and finished with three blueliners, three wingers and a goalie, it could be eyeing the best center available this draft or at least aiming to replenish a bit at the premium position. They've taken three centers over the past two drafts — one in the sixth round and another in the seventh.
Flahr said the Flyers will look for scoring up front, like every year. The club's organizational depth is also thinner at right-shot defensemen and NHL teams always value depth on the blue line.
"My philosophy in the first round is the first round is your best opportunity to get a high-skilled player," Fletcher said last week. "Skilled can mean different things — sometimes it’s shooters, hockey sense, defensemen that can play the power play or move the puck, playmakers, right-shot centermen; there are different skill sets that are not always easy to acquire. But certainly the player you draft with your first pick, you'd like to think has a chance to be a top-six forward or a top-four D, let’s put it that way. You want to get as much skill as you can get.
"You have to go with the best player available off your list. You work so hard on your list. I’ve always told our scouts that I'd like us to get the first 20 picks in order, for sure. I hate when there’s debate at the table in the first round. We should be prepared, we have all year to prepare, let’s get our draft together, let’s spend weeks and weeks beating it up and getting that list.
"We should know exactly what we're looking at when our pick comes and that allows me to know whether I need to move up or move back. We’ll stick to that philosophy this year. There are a lot of skilled players available and I’m confident that we’ll get a player with a high level of skill with our pick whenever that pick is."
Recommended reading
• Complete 2020 NHL draft order, including Flyers' 7 picks
• An innate scorer who can play center or winger would be huge get for Flyers
• Possible sleeper in draft fits Flyers' mold
• Remind you of anyone? Winger with shot, 'unique size' will be there for Flyers
• Finnish center already playing against pros could interest Flyers in draft
• Could Flyers go the USNTDP route again with this skilled, slick center?
• A winger who has 'lots of juice and generates offense' should attract Flyers
• Prospect who relishes physicality could be an option for Flyers in draft
• A 'gamer' with impressive vision at center would make sense for Flyers
• Playmaking center could be a steal for Flyers if injuries cause him to drop
• Keep an eye on a center with 200-foot bite and Flyers in the family
• Could another Wheat Kings defenseman be on the horizon for Flyers?
• The next Zamula? A package of size and skill could be there for Flyers
• Could Flyers go defense in the 1st round for second consecutive draft?
• Will Flyers get a shot at 'talented' winger coming off 98-point year in WHL?
• Curious case for this center might intrigue Flyers in draft
• A center with 'the quickness, the skill and vision' to entice Flyers in draft
• Flyers shouldn't hesitate to draft this forward if he's available in 2nd round