‘Dynamic,’ puck-moving defenseman may give Flyers trade-back option

With slim odds, the Flyers didn’t strike gold in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.

But they will have a chance to bring in some needed high-end talent near the top of the 2023 NHL draft.

“We’re fortunate it’s a good year,” Flyers general manager Danny Briere said of the draft crop in April. “We have quite a few picks and we have a high one.

“You have to go through a lot of bad times to get there unfortunately, but it’s exciting when you’re at the draft table and you get to pick such a high pick. It’s going to be a critical pick for the organization moving forward, there’s no doubt about it.”

After selecting Cutter Gauthier fifth overall last summer, the Flyers are slotted at No. 7 for this year’s draft, which will be held June 28-29 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. With the Ivan Provorov trade, the Flyers acquired the 22nd overall pick, giving them two first-rounders and 10 total selections in the draft. The first round kicks off at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday, while Rounds 2-7 follow Thursday starting at 11 a.m. ET.

Leading up to the draft, we’re breaking down targets for the Flyers at No. 7.

Next up:

Axel Sandin Pellikka

Position: Defenseman
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180
Shoots: Right
Team: Skelleftea

Scouting report

With a push-the-envelope style, Sandin Pellikka is an elusive defenseman who can put up points and dictate a game in all three zones.

Constantly on the move and making smart decisions, the skilled Swede has the ability to dart along the blue line for sustained possession in the offensive zone. He’s also adept at transitioning the puck out of the defensive zone with his legs and vision.

“He sits in the category as one of the dynamic defensemen,” Dan Marr, the director of NHL Central Scouting, said June 1 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “He’s a go-getter, he’s a go-to guy. He contributes two ways, he’s a good two-way defenseman out there.

“But he’s the guy that can take the puck and control the play and control the ice. He has…