With a surplus of defense prospects, there was some hand-wringing about GM Ron Hextall’s philosophy of taking the best player available. Philadelphia Flyers nation was looking for goal scoring wingers, primarily. Turns out the fans were partially right, and partially wrong.
After surprising in the first round by trading down and taking a center, Hextall used 4 picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds to take another center, a goalie, and 2 wingers.
Pascal Laberge, C, #36 Overall
The Flyers picked early in the long Saturday of the NHL draft. Picking 36th overall as a reward for trading down 4 spots in the opening round, the Flyers selected Pascal Laberge.