![Berkly Catton Poised to Become First-Line Center According to NBC Sports Philadelphia Berkly Catton Poised to Become First-Line Center According to NBC Sports Philadelphia](https://i0.wp.com/media.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/2024/05/Larry-Brunt-Spokane-Chiefs-Berkly-Catton.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Despite overperforming for most of the 2023-24 season, the Flyers still have a rebuilding mentality. Those who make decisions at the club know that more talent is needed and that the entry Draft remains the best way to acquire it.
“Most of it still has to be done through our young players, primarily through the draft,” general manager Danny Briere said in April.
The Flyers will have a good opportunity to increase their future when the 2024 NHL Draft arrives on June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The first round is on Friday at 7 pm ET, while rounds 2 to 7 are on Saturday starting at 11:30 am ET.
Like last summer, the Flyers have 10 picks, including two first-rounders. Unless a trade is made, they will make their first overall pick at No. 12. Briere believes the Flyers “can get a very talented player” at that spot.
In the first round of the 2023 draft, the Flyers attempted to select Matvei Michkov at No. 7 and Oliver Bonk at No. 22. They should also have two first-round picks in 2025.
Ahead of the 2024 draft, we’re breaking down the targets for the Flyers at No. 12.
Next:
Berkley Catton
Position: Center
Height: 5 foot 10
Weight: 175
Shots: Left
Equipment: Spokane Chiefs
Scouting report
A crafty and crafty center, Catton put up some of the most eye-catching numbers in Canadian junior hockey this season.
The 18-year-old racked up 116 points (54 goals, 62 assists) in 68 regular-season games for the Chiefs. He posted seven games of four or more points and 14 multi-goal performances, while his seven goals led the WHL.
The way Catton changes direction at full speed but under control makes him a constant threat with the puck. He can score and impact a game in a variety of ways.
Does he have top-line potential at the NHL level?
“He does it in the sense that one of his strongest assets is his ability to control the game with his hockey sense,” Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said a week and a half ago in a phone interview with KeynoteUSA Sports. . Philadelphia. “His vision of him, the anticipation of him, just the way he sees the ice and reads the play allows him to prepare and make plays, execute plays when necessary. He’s just a very, very smart player.”
Catton is on the smaller side, which will naturally create debate about how his game will fare against the pros. He is the eighth-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting and is considered the eighth-best prospect in the draft by EliteProspects.com. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has Catton ranked 11th overall, while TSN’s Craig Button has him ranked 15th.
“He’s very skilled and very smart,” Marr said, “and those are the ingredients you want in a top center.”
Larry Brunt/Spokane Chiefs
Fit with brochures
Catton would be a good fit for the Flyers, who could really use high-end talent, especially in the middle.
Morgan Frost is the only first-round center the Flyers have taken in the last 11 drafts who is currently on their roster. With Catton, the Flyers’ future would receive a huge boost in terms of scoring ability and a player who could complement Michkov.
While Catton carries risks because the desired size isn’t there, the rebuilding Flyers have wanted to make more trades in the first round. They didn’t take the safe route last summer. This summer, if they have the opportunity to take Catton with the 12th overall pick, they would have to seriously consider signing him.
More objectives
• Flyers should like Helenius, “one of the best talents in the draft”
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