By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
It’s not often that the Flyers have found themselves in a spot where it feels like they can’t lose, but that’s the opportunity that is presented on Friday night.
They may not get the choice of Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier with the second overall pick, but one way or another, the Flyers are about to add a game-changing player with a tremendously bright future and soaring potential.
The prospects have been well documented. Nolan Patrick has been the project No. 1 pick for months. Nico Hischier is hot on his heels. The gap between the two players at the moment is very slim. There is no way to be disappointed. The Flyers are getting a prospect with all the makings of a future star that could immediately contribute.
For several weeks, the discussions have gone back and forth. Who would you rather have — the sizable, skilled power forward in Nolan Patrick or the skilled Swiss center with the silky mitts in Nico Hischier?
The discussions are really all for naught. The Flyers don’t get the choice, they get whichever player is left after the Devils make their selection. But really, how can the Flyers lose?
If Patrick goes first overall as many have predicted, they get Hischier, a prospect with dazzling offensive ability, incredible skill and perhaps the most well-rounded prospect in the draft according to some scouts and analysts.
Related: Nolan Patrick Prospect Profile
Hischier is the type of player that could instantly transform the Flyers offense. The skill level is so high, it puts a pure scorer and playmaker on the ice. Such a player could immediately step in and be a difference maker.
The question with Hischier doesn’t lie in the skill or ability. It really is all about his size and if he can handle the strength of NHL players trying to work him off the puck. Hischier is just 176 pounds, so he needs to add some strength, but if he can, he’s an instant option to make the roster in October.
If Hischier goes first overall and jumps Patrick in the rankings, then the Flyers are waiting to get the player that was long projected to go first overall and probably only didn’t because of the injuries he dealt with last season while Hischier built up his stock.
Related: Nico Hischier Prospect Profile
Patrick has all the makings of the prototypical Flyers player with his size, strength and physical ability, but has the skill and speed to go with. In a year where he dealt with several lingering injuries while still recovering from double sports hernia surgery, he still put up 20 goals and 46 points in 33 games. The upside is equally as exciting, even after the injury-plagued season.
While both players have differences in their offensive styles — Hischier is more flash and Patrick is more of a combination of skill, strength and speed — their defensive styles are relatively similar. Both players are responsible defensively. Hischier has been called the best defensive forward in the draft. Both have experience killing penalties.
Both players also possess great leadership skills. Patrick was captain of Brandon last season as an 18-year-old. Hischier has been praised for his leadership skills as well.
The pairing is also incredibly gifted in hockey sense, competitive levels and playmaking ability, another nod to their potential and overall ability even with different styles of play.
Ultimately, we could spend another two months talking about which prospect is better and not have a definitive answer. But unlike in years past where the Flyers were more or less taking a flyer on a player in a strong draft, they have struck gold in this year’s draft and will end up with one of the top two players, each of which has been viewed as the best in the draft class.
The win-win situation is rare. Enjoy the hype. Enjoy the moment. And enjoy the ride we’re about to embark on with a new face added to the franchise’s future.
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