CHICAGO — Based on the Hockey News’ prospect rankings, Flyers general manager Ron Hextall made a heist at the two-day NHL draft that ended Saturday in Chicago.
The Flyers chose five players ranked in the publication’s top 78 — and got three of those selections, all left wingers , much later than their projected draft slots: Isaac Ratcliffe (ranked 19th) went 35th; Matthew Strome (ranked 47th) went at No. 106; and Noah Cates (ranked 78th) went at No. 137.
The Hockey News also ranked Nolan Patrick as the draft’s best prospect, and the Flyers took him at No.