There has been plenty of discussion surrounding who the Philadelphia Flyers will select with their No. 12 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, but they have at least one pick that they can utilize in the second round, which could prove extremely beneficial for them as well.
The Flyers' hold the 51st selection in this year's draft, a compensatory pick after the organization opted not to sign Jay O'Brien, who former GM Ron Hextall drafted 19th overall in 2018.
There is a possibility that they could also have the 36th pick, but that would depend on the Columbus Blue Jackets deciding whether or not the second-round pick that they traded to the Flyers will be for this year or for 2025—a decision that will be made after the conclusion of the first round of this year's draft.
The Athletic projected that right winger Maxim Masse, who currently plays for the QMJHL's Chicoutimi Sagueneens, could be Philadelphia's choice. He was Chicoutimi's top scorer with 36 goals this past season, and was named the CHL's rookie of the year last season. Although he had the potential to go in the first round, "concerns about [his] skating and pace of play" are thought to make him a possibility to still be on the board for the Flyers to snap up.
Another QMJHL player has been ranked 51st in both North American and international skaters by the NHL, this being Raoul Boilard, who plays center for the Baie-Comeau Drakkar. He is recognized as having a great hockey sense, plenty of energy and endurance, and solid playmaking abilities, but needing improvement in the skating and physical aspects of his game.
For a third option, Elite Prospects ranks Russian forward Matvei Gridin, who currently plays for the University of Michigan, at the No. 51 spot. He also is known for his playmaking abilities and can positively impact games as both a shooter and a passer.
Although most of the attention will be on who the Flyers take in the first round (they also have the 31st/32nd pick, depending on what the Florida Panthers do in the Stanley Cup finals), the second round could give the Flyers a chance to add some hidden gems to their ranks and continue building the depth and talent of their young core moving forward.
