Best Flyer Development Plan in Philadelphia: MaxWestergård – Hockey Writer – Philadelphia Flyer
MaxWestergård enters the 2025 NHL Draft as one of my favorite class sleeper berths. Despite the Philadelphia Flyers’ fifth round pick, my second round score was a difference. The winger of the left gun started to get some traction, and there was good reason. His position in the draft did not make him fair.
Related: Best Flyer Development Plan: Jack Murtagh
In my best flyer development plan, let’s take a look at Westergård’s game and see what all the hype is. Can the fifth round draft pick really have an impact on the NHL?
Best Scenario 1: The motor is the X factor
The recurring theme of Flyers’ 2025 draft category is that many of them have a similar X-factor: electric motors. Westergård, although 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, is no different. In the clip shown below, he eliminates the opposition in the hockey and then flies in another way to assist. That’s the symbol of his game.
MaxWestergård! 💫👀
frölundatog andra raka segern i chlnärman besegrade lausannepåhemmaismed 5-2✅ pic.twitter.com/bsoznf0yvc
— ViaPlay Hockey (@ViaPlayHockeyse) August 31, 2025
Despite playing in the Championship Hockey League against top European clubs, it’s not a challenge for Westergård, one of the youngest players in the 2025 class (Birthday on September 3). In two games, he tied for third with two assists in 10:15 assists on average ice time. That motor is a big reason.
Westergård’s electric motors have been an outstanding feature for some of the best European hockey players in the world, and if he becomes the NHL, it will be essential. He will continue to work hard and continue to have a full impact.
Best Scene 2: Transform offensive skills into professionals
Westergård has more than a dozen professional experiences, but it is not entirely clear that his offensive skills will translate to this level. Despite the promising signs, there are no signs of certainty.
Last season, Westergård became the sixth player under the age of 18 in Swedish Hockey League (SHL) history, scoring three or more in a playoff – Rrasmus Dahlin, Kevin Fiala, Marco Kasper, Alexander Steen and Ivar Stenberg were the others. So even though he was fighting hard for ice time, the young winger made an attack. But again, more sample size is needed to be really excited.
The reason that infiltrates Westergård a skilled offensive player, I think his vision, hockey sense and skating are advantages. If his skills are translated into, he will be more than just a small winger with a good motor. A work that increases offensiveness can greatly improve his ceiling, giving him enough chance to become the NHL regular season.
The overall best scene for Westergård: three-line edge
If Westergård can beat odds, he might be a third-tier winger on the flyer. Fans may see this and lose interest, but it will be a major success. Plus, his game style is more attractive than your average third inning.
A main force with skills is not easy to find. Of course, Westergård is on the smaller side, but he stands out in some of the top European competitions. His future may be much better than what his draft show suggests.
I’m on the moon when the flyer picks up Westgold at 132ND Overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. Hopefully, if you are unfamiliar with the players, this will get you on board. His best development plan (compared to what is impossible) is not to be ridiculed.
