Flyers Potential 2024 Draft Picks: Carter Yakemchuk

The big right-handed defenseman has an elite offensive skillset.

The Philadelphia Flyers are officially locked into the 12th overall pick for the 2024 NHL draft. What makes this class so unique is that there isn’t a significant drop-off in terms of prospects after Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, and perhaps Artyom Levshunov. Whether the Flyers were picking fourth or twelfth, there isn’t too big of a difference.

In who is one of the more likely players to be available for the Flyers at that spot, defenseman Carter Yakemchuk could be of aid to them. Why should they take a chance?

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Yakemchuk’s Size & Skill

What makes Yakemchuk such an ideal pick for any team has a lot to do with his position and frame. At 6-foot-3, 194 pounds as a right-shot defenseman, his value is already pretty high. As the Vegas Golden Knights showed in their 2023 Stanley Cup run, size can go a long way in the NHL.

Elite right-handed defensemen are somewhat scarce in the NHL, which is a big reason why Yakemchuk is so enticing. His actual on-ice play is what really does it, though. He’s an incredibly skilled offensive defenseman with top-tier hands, shot, and physicality for the 2024 class.

Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary Hitmen (Photo by Dale Preston/Getty Images)