Philadelphia Flyers: Who was drafted by Las Vegas?

Oct 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall walks onto the ice for ceremony before game against Arizona Coyotes at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall walks onto the ice for ceremony before game against Arizona Coyotes at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Per the rules of the NHL Expansion Draft, one player from each team will be sent to the Las Vegas Golden Knights to start the new franchise. The Golden Knights selected Pierre-Edouard Bellemare off the Philadelphia Flyers roster.

In Bellemare, the Golden Knights get a player who gives 110% every time he steps onto the ice. While he isn’t the best goal scorer or in the world, he makes up for it in heart. Bellemare is an elite locker room presence, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he were the first Captain of the new franchise.

With this pick the Philadelphia Flyers are taking a hit when it comes to leadership. The attitude that Bellemare brought to the rink day in and day out is intangible. There is no way to quantify how this will affect the franchise in the immediate future.

On the flip side, this clears up room for young players like Oskar Lindblom, Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick (whoever the New Jersey Devils pass on), and Mike Vecchione. The younger players will be given room to grow which is paramount for the future of our franchise.

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Pierre-Edouard Bellemare was an assistant captain for the Philadelphia Flyers. I expect him to be replaced by one of three players: Jakub Voracek, Shayne Gostisbehere, or Ivan Provorov. Voracek is the longest tenured player and would make a great assistant. Gostisbehere and Provorov represent the youth movement and could be good liaisons between the rookies and the veterans.

Section215’s own Tyler Monaghan had his crystal ball out earlier, he predicted Bellemare to Las Vegas. Check out his article here.

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Las Vegas is getting a gritty player, one that will be missed in the City of Brotherly love. It is with a heavy heart that we say “Au Revoir” Bellemare. The staff of Section 215 would like to wish Pierre the best of luck on his new adventure.