What Flyers AGM Brent Flahr had to say about Flyers’ 2025 NHL Draft

Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr met with the media Saturday afternoon following the Flyers making their last selection in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Flyers assistant general manager Brent Flahr met with the media Saturday afternoon after Philadelphia made their last draft selection. Here’s what he had to say about both days and the Flyers’ selections.

On whether size was something the Flyers were focusing on:

We were conscious of it, but to be honest with you those picks came kind of back to back to back, we weren’t just going for size. With the players we targeted, it was more a coincidence that all of them have to be that size. It’s certainly something that we’re not against.

On moving two spots back in the second round:

No actually we had a couple of players we were going to be happy with, we got to move up significantly from the third to the second which allowed us to get another player we were happy with. So for two spots we felt it was worth it.

On whether the aspect of a high compete level factored largely into their selections:

For sure. You watch the playoffs, it’s a grrind. To get to the NHL you have to have a tremendous work ethic. Then to be able to have success in it you got to have that side of it. The guys we drafted, it’s part of what we want, it’s part of what Tocchet wants, it’s part of what Danny and Jonesy wants. We want competitive people and I think we did a pretty good job of that today.

On whether Florida’s success in the playoffs had an impact in how teams drafted:

It’s more of a stylistic thing that they’ve got. I think size has always been a factor in the playoffs for years. The way they play they’ve kind of perfected it. So you got to be able to combat that. But there’s different teams who play in the NHL that, whether it’s speed or whatnot, the playoff hockey is a grind. And size certainly helps.

On how much Carter Amico’s injury played in him not going in the first round:

All of it, pretty much all of it. I was lucky enough to see him a number of times early before the injury. I was at the game where he actually reinjured it. The medical reports we got and our staff was able to examine it further. You can talk to him in development camp but basically the previous surgery didn’t take. He’s had it redone, it was successful and our doctors are confident it’s going to be good to go.

On Shane Vansaghi and Matthew Gard being high motor players and if that played a factor:

Well Vansaghi if you had a chance to watch him at Michigan State this year, he gets that whole arena going. A big, big kid. He plays a certain way and there’s not a lot of players like him in this draft or any draft. I think he’s got some work to do to get to the NHL. But once he does I think he’ll be a fan favorite. He’ll be a very welcomed teammate.

On Max Westergard’s play:

Obviously our European guys followed him closely, he had a very good tournament in Texas too, the U-18s. He’s a talented kid. Obviously on the other side with his size he’s not the biggest, he’s going to have to put on some weight and get stronger. He’s quick, he’s got skill, he can create offense by himself. So at that point we thought it was a value pick.

On Porter Martone and what made the Flyers take him despite having several wingers:

He’s a guy who’s name has been arounnd for a while. I’ve seen a lot of him while he was an underage. Just the whole complete package as far as his size, skill, hockey sense. He’s got juice, he’s always engaged around the net, stirring it up and driving people crazy. He’s got that edge but more importantly his skill set is high end when it comes to offense, his ability on the power play to break things down and create things. He does things that a lot of guys can’t. It’s just one of those things where he’s too talented to pass up on.

On whether Jack Nesbitt’s play brings to mind Jett Luchanko’s play in the second half of 2024 and if that factored into trading up for him:

Well Jack actually had a pretty steady year, he had more opportunity and ice time as the season went on. He was a guy who was pretty good throughout. I think initially he was more used in defensive situations, which, for a young player, his details are very good. Then they got him on the power play and he was very good in his net front presence role, retrieving pucks, tips. But he’s a smart player. As for his size he’s going to have to grow into his body. When I watch him play the only thing that I see missing is strength, that’s something that he can work on, it just takes some time.

He was good in the second half and in the end there his team was so banged up he played every second shift for the last series and a half. He was pretty much gassed by the end of it. He’s a guy we’re really excited about, the whole staff in general.

On how the Flyers would rate the draft:

Good, we’re elated with the first round. And the second round, the way it turned out we were very happy. We got a number of players. (Jack) Murtagh we all liked across the board, the staff. He can play a lot of different ways, he can score, he can really skate, he’s competitive, he can bang, crash, go to the net and do all of these things. He’s a terrific kid. But through the second round we were happy with Gard, and obviously Vansaghi. It was a little dull for a couple of rounds and slow-going. But we added a couple of guys, guys that we have time for and we’re excited for at that point in the draft. But as we stated before, at the draft there’s a fall off point. But we got a few guys we threw darts (on). We have some assets and hopefully they have a chance to play down the road.

On whether Martone is close and if other prospects are going to need a little more time:

Certainly Porter is closer than most just because of his experience, he has a late birthday and a bit older but also he’s very experienced. His game is probably a little more mature. He’s got some things to work on in terms of strength and conditioning and that which he’ll do like any young player. Even playing with the men at the end and he elevated his game. Junior sometimes can be a little easier for guys like him. But when you saw he was playing with men he knew where he had to go and move his feet and play with pace. He excelled.

On Amico and Vansaghi being big and strong now and whether that makes them closer to the NHL:

As far as Amico I think he’s naturally a huge human being. I think he’s still got some things to work on and he’s going to college so it’ll take time to round out his game. He needs reps because obviously he missed some time this year which is never good for any young player. But he’s going to be lots here his next couple of years.

Vansaghi is probably a different story. I don’t think he knows he’s ever going to play a different way. I think he’s going to have a more offensive role year this year. He’s a really young guy for college hockey this year. He finds a way to impact games. The way he plays now is probably similar to the way he’ going to play in the NHL. He’s an animal in the gym so you can’t take that away, you can’t punish him for that, that’s for sure.

On Matthew Gard:

Well he’s another player in Red Deer which wasn’t the strongest team. So he was forced to defend a lot. He’s another big kid with a body type like Nesbitt, he’s going to have to fill out and get stronger the next few years. He projects to be a very good skater and responsible defensively and more offense then he was able to show in situations this year. He’s a competitive kid, he’s got an edge. He’s in a good environment where he’s going to play a lot. We’ll see. It should be a good year for him.

On if Martone and Michkov gives the Flyers great depth on the right side:

I do and I think with Porter he could play his off side on the power play for sure. It should be a pretty good tandem. But I’m pretty sure whatever side he’s on he’s pretty capable.