5 draft targets for Flyers at 13th overall pick

The Flyers have seven selections in the 2021 NHL draft.

While the draft is still over a month and a half away, we now know exactly where the Flyers are slotted to pick in the first round. The Flyers finished with the 13th overall position in Wednesday night's lottery.

"Picking 13, it's a high pick, it's a deep draft and I think our scouts are confident that there will be a wide range of good hockey players available to us at that pick," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said.

Let's look at five potential targets for the Flyers at No. 13 overall in the July 23-24 draft.

Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls

The name might sound familiar because Sillinger's dad had a 17-year NHL career. Mike Sillinger played 1,049 games between 12 teams, including the Flyers.

His son is an impressive 6-foot, 197-pound center and the draft's 10th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. In 31 games this season with the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, Sillinger put up 24 goals and 22 assists (1.48 points per game).

Sillinger, who turned 18 years old in May and can play some left winger, is regarded for his prolific shot and deceptive scoring ability. During 2019, the Flyers really liked playmaking winger Bobby Brink out of the USHL and moved up in the second round to snag him.

Sillinger's strengths translated well to the USHL. The Flyers could look to replenish down the middle after going heavier on wingers and defensemen over the past two drafts. Sillinger would be a nice option to start.

Zachary L'Heureux, LW, Halifax

The Flyers know L'Heureux pretty well. He played alongside Flyers prospect Elliot Desnoyers and the two were dynamic together.

With the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads this season, the 2020 fifth-round pick Desnoyers broke out for 49 points (21 goals, 28 assists) in 37 games. His linemate L'Heureux had a productive season, as well, with 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists) in 33 games.

The 5-foot-11, 196-pounder can score and play in a variety of ways. He utilizes a power forward style and embraces physicality. Relating to his rather polarizing draft stock, L'Heureux plays with an edge that borders undisciplined, having been suspended four times in 2020-21.

TSN's Craig Button gave L'Heureux an NHL comparable of Brad Marchand.

Chaz Lucius, C, USNTDP

The Flyers have a great pulse on prospects from Minnesota and Lucius is one of them in this draft.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound center hails from the hockey hotbed and is set to play at the University of Minnesota in 2021-22.

Lucius can flat out put the puck in the net. This season, with the U.S. national team development program, he scored 13 goals in 13 games for the under-18 squad. With Team USA in the USHL, he scored 13 goals over 12 games.

Eye-opening size and scoring down the middle of the ice.

Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea HF

The Swedish native is considered one of the speediest and skilled players in the draft.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound winger is the draft's ninth-ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting.

The 18-year-old played against men in the SHL, Sweden's top pro league, so his two goals and one assist through 26 games this season look underwhelming. But many draft outlets think highly of his game and upside.

The Flyers watch and evaluate Sweden heavily, led by European amateur scout Joakim Grundberg.

Carson Lambos, D, Winnipeg

Some of the draft's best defensemen are expected to go early, so it's uncertain if the Flyers will be thinking blueliner at the 13th overall pick.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Lambos should be available and is the draft's 11th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He played in Finland on loan this season and had a strong WHL rookie year in 2019-20 with the Winnipeg Ice (eight goals, 24 assists, plus-20 over 57 games).

Lambos is known as a quality skater with a sharp shot from the point. As somewhat of an under-the-radar defenseman in this class, he could blossom next season with the Ice.

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