Philadelphia Flyers Trade Up for Jack Nesbitt: Was It a Reach?

The Philadelphia Flyers traded up to select Jack Nesbitt, a big center, in the recent draft. Despite some criticism, the move may have been justified. Here's why:

The Flyers initially chose winger Porter Martone over available centers like James Hagens and Jake O’Brien. Later, they traded picks to move up and secure Nesbitt at 12th overall.

While some believed Nesbitt could have been available at 22, mock drafts consistently placed him in the teens or early 20s. The trade value also seemed fair according to the Perri Pick Value Calculator.

Comparing Nesbitt to other players taken between 12 and 22, his size and skill set stand out. The Flyers seemed to prioritize size in this draft, which justified their decision to trade up.

Briere highlighted Nesbitt's size, grit, playmaking abilities, and goal-scoring potential as reasons for the trade. Despite some doubts, Briere believed Nesbitt could develop into a top-six or second-line center.

Although the move to trade up was met with mixed reactions, it may not have been as much of a reach as initially perceived. Time will tell if Nesbitt proves to be a valuable asset for the Flyers.

According to the source: Broad Street Hockey.