2025 NHL Draft: Who Could the Flyers Take at No. 22?

By now, everyone’s got an opinion on what the Philadelphia Flyers should do with their sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft—and rightly so.

But the real intrigue for Philadelphia might lie a little further down.

The Flyers currently hold three first-round picks, which include the 22nd overall selection,  And while the sixth pick might be the one with flash, 22 is where the nuance lives. It’s a pick with potential to swing the draft one way or the other—and based on Philadelphia’s evolving philosophy under Danny Brière and Brent Flahr, don’t be surprised if they use it to make a bold, forward-thinking move.

So the question remains—who could be in play at 22? And what could they bring to Philadelphia if they're presented with a Flyers jersey when their name is called on June 27?

If the Flyers want to go in the defensemen direction—or just take the best player available at 22—Logan Hensler could be a very smart choice. The Wisconsin Badger blueliner has rapidly climbed draft boards thanks to a standout season in the NCAA and an impressive performance in Team USA's gold-medal performance at the World Juniors.

At 6’2”, Hensler blends mobility with control in a way that NHL teams love to see. His skating is his strongest asset, giving him the ability to defend the rush, transition quickly, and activate off the line with ease. But it’s not just raw speed—it’s the way he uses it. Scouts have praised his ability to "leverage his tools at a high level," combining quick decisions with poised puck touches and even the occasional slick maneuver under pressure (he’s got some nifty between-the-legs work in his bag).

If you’re looking for a mobile, modern defenseman who processes the game quickly, Hensler checks the boxes. And with the Flyers clearly eyeing a movement of young, more offensively-minded guys on the blue line—with players like Emil Andrae and Oliver Bonk being strong contenders in the pipeline—adding another intelligent, puck-moving defender could be a savvy long-term play.

If Hensler is the finesse pick, Blake Fiddler is the fortress. Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 209 pounds, the right-shot defenseman is one of the more physically imposing players in this year’s draft. And yet, his game is more than just brute strength—Fiddler is a surprisingly fluid skater for someone his size, with excellent edge work and straight-line mobility that allows him to close gaps effectively and support the breakout.

Fiddler fits a prototype the Flyers haven’t had in abundance in recent years: the rangy, right-shot, shutdown defenseman who can log tough minutes and clear the net-front. His offensive upside isn’t as developed as Hensler’s, but there’s a real appeal in projecting him as a penalty-killing, shot-blocking presence who can eat heavy minutes in the defensive zone and make life miserable for opposing forwards.

Fiddler has the potential to be an upgraded version of the big, mean, physical presences of a Nick Seeler or Rasmus Ristolainen (whose name is once again being thrown around in trade talks): he's got the imposing size, but also possesses the impressive skill, and there's still plenty of room for him to continue taking strides.

In short: if the Flyers want balance on the back end and are looking to build a sustainable defensive identity, Fiddler could be a smart bet.

Now let’s talk about a real wild card: Daniil Prokhorov, the towering Russian winger who would undoubtedly be a risk, but one that could have some serious payoff.

At 6’6” and 209 pounds, Prokhorov is impossible to ignore. He’s not just big—he’s effective, especially around the net, where he posted 20 goals in 43 games with MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg in Russia’s MHL. He’s not much of a playmaker (recording just seven assists) and his offensive toolkit is still raw in some ways, but what he lacks in polish, he makes up for in power, reach, and relentless net-front presence.

Some scouts have thrown out the Valeri Nichushkin comparison—not because they expect him to reach that level, but because of the similar stylistic profile: a big-bodied forward who can forecheck, battle, and contribute in high-danger areas. And like Nichushkin, Prokhorov may take time. He just turned 18 in April, and the Russian factor means there may be a longer timeline before he comes to North America. (Though, of course, the organization has established that they're pretty good at shortening that Russia to North America timeline if need be.)

But if the Flyers want to take a big swing—and history tells us they’re not afraid to—Prokhorov might be the guy. In a prospect pool that could use more size and grit on the wing, he’d stand out in a big way.

With pick 22, the Flyers have options. The smart money might be on a defenseman—Hensler for his upside, Fiddler for his structure. But Prokhorov offers something tantalizingly different: a long-term swing on a player who could grow into something special, even if the path takes a few years.

What we do know is that Danny Brière’s draft approach seems to favor players who combine hockey IQ, positional awareness, and room for growth. All three of these players fit that mold in different ways. And with seven picks in the top 50, the Flyers have the luxury to be flexible.

Whether they go for a toolsy defender or a mountainous Russian winger, the 22nd overall pick is not just a throw-in—it’s a statement. A moment to make a calculated bet. And if the Flyers play it right, it could pay dividends for years to come.