Newest Flyer Nolan Patrick shrugs off dropping to No. 2

CHICAGO — Ever since the Flyers and New Jersey Devils climbed numerous spots in the April 29 draft lottery, the debate began: Who would go No. 1, Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick?

For most of the last year, Patrick had been ranked No. 1 by draft experts, but an outstanding season helped Hischier get selected by New Jersey with the top pick Friday night at the United Center.

The Flyers took Patrick with the No. 2 overall selection.

Patrick has become friends with Hischier, and he said he had no hard feelings about not being picked at No. 1.

"I wasn't rattled. I was happy for him," he said. "He's an awesome guy."

Patrick was asked what he was thinking when it was announced that Hischier had been drafted at No. 1.

"I hope I go second," Patrick cracked.

Patrick said he would not use the No. 1 snub as a motivator.

"I'm just going to play my game," he said, adding he thinks he can play in the NHL this season.

It marked the 18th time in the franchise's 51 drafts (35.3 percent) that the Flyers had selected a center with their first pick.

Patrick said the fact he is friends with Ivan Provorov should make his transition to the Flyers easier. Both of them — and general manager Ron Hextall in the 1980s — played for Brandon in the Western Hockey League.

Draft, Part II

Rounds two though seven will be held Saturday starting at 10 a.m., and the Flyers will be busy.

The Flyers have 10 picks Saturday, including two in the third round and three in the fourth round.

On Saturday, the Flyers will have the following picks: 44, 75, 80, 106, 107, 108, 137, 168, 196, and 199.

The No. 80 overall pick is from the deal that sent Zac Rinaldo to Boston in 2015.  One of the fourth- and seventh round picks are from trading Mark Streit to Tampa Bay late last season.

Hextall said in a "perfect world," he would like to select seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie over the two draft days.

Jonah Gadjovich, Maxime Comtois, Marcus Davidsson, Matthew Strome, and Jason Robertson are among the highly ranked forwards who may be available when the Flyers make their second-round selection.

Breakaways

Arizona traded defenseman Anthony DeAngelo, a Sewell, N.J., native, and its first-round draft pick (No. 7 overall, which turned out to be center Lias Andersson) to the Rangers for forward Derek Stepan and goalie Antti Raanta. … The Coyotes and Flyers came to the draft looking to add a goalie. … Arizona also dealt Connor Murphy, the son of Flyers assistant Gord Murphy, and Laurent Dauphin to Chicago for Niklas Hjalmarsson.