Just because the season is over doesn’t mean there’s time to rest for general manager Danny Briere and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers’ front office.
In fact, in another month, Briere and the Flyers will be facing another pivotal moment in the organization’s rebuild. It’s a test that they’ll have to pass with flying colors, no matter what.
Briere has already been spotted in Finland studying, but for what, you might ask? The IIHF Men’s U18 World Championships, where some of the best prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft are playing.
Danny in Finland @NHLFlyers @TheLibertyYell @FlyersKnitty pic.twitter.com/UKFC7srhvO
— Rastislav Pargac (@PargacRastislav) May 2, 2024
Briere was spotted on the above broadcast during a game between Czechia and Slovakia – a game that Slovakia won, 3-2. Czechia winger Ondrej Kos, NHL Central Scouting’s No. 27 ranked European player, was playing on the top line that game. Other notable prospects include Slovakia defenseman Adam Belusko, Czechia defenseman Tomas Galvas, and Miroslav Satan’s son, Miroslav Satan.
The elder Satan was teammates with Briere for two seasons during their time together on the Buffalo Sabres.
Some other prospects of interest to Briere and the Flyers playing in the tournament include Tij Iginla, Jett Luchanko, Maxim Masse, Ryder Ritchie, Charlie Elick, Liam Greentree, Cole Hutson, Teddy Stiga, Brodie Ziemer, Cole Eiserman, Will Skahan, Trevor Connelly, Aron Kiviharju, Konsta Helenius, and Emil Hemming, among others.
With what is currently the No. 12 pick, as well as Florida’s first-round pick, Briere and the Flyers figure to be able to draft at least two of those players in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft.
The No. 12 pick should put them within range to select Eiserman, Helenius, or Iginla, while Connelly, Stiga, Ziemer, Luchanko, Elick, or Masse are sensible options for the end of the first round.
While Briere is only doing his job by doing his due diligence in Finland, it’s crucial that he, the Flyers‘ scouts, and everyone else involved nails these two first-round picks next month. Their rebuild depends on it.
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