As the 2023 NHL Draft draws closer, it seems appropriate to take a look back at the history the Flyers have with the 7th overall pick. There has been a home run, some solid players, and a major whiff in their previous selections. This is the way of the NHL Draft, the ultimate lottery in deciding the path a franchise may take.
1972 – Bill Barber
One of the greatest picks the Flyers have made in franchise history came during the 1972 draft when Bill Barber was selected. A Flyers icon, legend, and Mt. Rushmore player, Barber spent his entire 12 year playing career in orange and black. Over this time, Barber amassed 883 points in 903 tilts. 420 of these points were goals, a Flyers record in lamp lighting that stands to this day. As a part of the infamous Broad Street Bullies team of the 1970s, Barber was instrumental in helping the team hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in 1974 and 1975.
After his playing days were over, Barber went go on to coach in differing capacities for the Hershey Bears, Philadelphia Phantoms, and Philadelphia Flyers. As the bench boss of the Phantoms, he led the team to a Calder Trophy championship in 1998. During his short stint as head coach of the Flyers, he managed to win the Jack Adams Trophy as the most outstanding coach in the NHL in the 2000-01 season. Once his coaching career was finished, Barber went on to work as an executive for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers. Most notably, his name is on the Stanley Cup won by Tampa in 2004 for his role as director of player personnel.
To this day, Barber is recognized as one of the game’s greats. His number 7 jersey hangs in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center, and in 1990 his name was called to the Hockey Hall of Fame. His legacy will be remembered for decades to come as a pillar of the Philadelphia Flyers.
1978 – Ken Linseman
In 1978, the Flyers took center Ken Linseman 7th overall. For parts of five seasons, Linseman was a contributor in Philadelphia, tallying 257 points in 269 games. During the 1983 season, he was traded to the Whalers in a package that landed the Flyers Mark Howe. Over the next ten seasons, Linseman recorded 550 more points in 591 games for the Bruins, Oilers, and Maple Leafs. A playoff contributor, Linseman’s most notable success came in the 1983-84 postseason where he scored 14 points in 19 games as his Oilers defeated the Islanders in 5 games. In game 5, Ken joined the club of NHL players to score a Stanley Cup clinching goal. As a matter of fact, Linseman is tied for an NHL record of three series clinching playoff goals.
Perhaps the most interesting part of Linseman’s career was his nickname, “The Rat.” He was named after the rodent in part for his looks and for how he played the game. Linseman managed to be a skilled agitator, something coveted in today’s game and seen in the likes of Brad Marchand, another notable “Rat.” Just like Marchand, Linseman often got under the skin of his opponents just enough to draw a penalty. From there, Linseman and company would make the other team pay. Overall, “The Rat” had a very successful career and lived up to his 7th overall selection.
1992 – Ryan Sittler
Not all first round picks can hit, and the Flyers of late know this to be true with German Rubstov and Jay O’Brien. Like the aforementioned players, Ryan Sittler from the 1992 draft did not have a successful NHL career. As a matter of fact, without suiting up in a single NHL game, he really didn’t have much of an NHL career at all. Instead, Sittler carved out a short career for himself by splitting five seasons at center between the AHL and ECHL. On the bright side, Sittler made NHL history by being half of the first father/son duo to be drafted in the top 10 picks of an NHL draft with his father being hockey hall of famer Darryl Sittler.
2015 – Ivan Provorov
The most recent 7th overall selection by the Flyers came in 2015 when polarizing defenseman Ivan Provorov was drafted. Provorov jumped to the NHL level quite early with his debut coming just one season after his draft year. Quickly, he proved himself to be an important component of the defense as he was up for the Barry Ashbee trophy almost annually. Provorov was seen as a hardworking, durable defenseman that seemed to be on track for an all-star career in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, Provorov’s trajectory never recovered after his partner Matt Niskanen retired following the 2020 bubble playoffs. GM Chuck Fletcher attempted to find a partner for Provorov with several patchwork moves, but nothing seemed to stick. With whispers of Provorov not being a great locker room guy, his decision to forego warmups on Pride Night this past season, and rumblings of being disgruntled, Provorov’s time as a Flyer ended with a trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer. What lies ahead for Provorov is anyone’s guess, but now that he doesn’t have to be “the guy” in Columbus, his career just might get back on track with a change of scenery.
2023 – ???
It is full steam ahead towards the 2023 NHL Draft hosted by Nashville on Wednesday, June 28th. Who the Flyers select is anyone’s guess, but mock drafts have the Flyers taking anyone from Russia’s young star in Matvei Michkov, “Matt Tkachuk lite” Ryan Leonard, or even David Reinbacher, the highest rated defenseman of the draft. No matter who the Flyers take come draft night, fans will be happy just as long as a key piece of Daniel Briere’s rebuild is cemented.
By: Jacob Hollamby (@Jaqueezy28)
Photo Credit: NHL.com, Sports Illustrated, tcdb.com
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