None became a dominating player. Only one (Mayers) ever scored more than 10 goals in a season.
That's one of the reasons general manager Paul Holmgren and his staff are preparing as if they will be selecting much higher than late in the third round.
"You can never rule that out," he said of the possibility of moving up via a trade. "It's something we'll continue to look at as we get closer to Friday, and we'll see what happens. We need to be prepared for anything and that's why our scouting staff, even though they knew going into the year we didn't have a first-round pick, you just have to prepare like you might get one.
"I think in the salary cap world, you just never know what may happen."
In a wide-ranging conference call with reporters Monday, Holmgren said his talks with newly acquired defenseman Dan Hamhuis' agent are ongoing, added that he plans to speak with goalie Michael Leighton's agent before the weekend, and hinted that the Flyers' goalie quest will heat up when general managers meet at the draft.
The Flyers' first-round pick Friday was dealt to Anaheim in the Chris Pronger trade, while their second-round selection belongs to Los Angeles from a 2008 deal.
As for making a deal, Holmgren said, it's a "feeling-out period" that is taking place this week as teams assess their needs.
Jeff Carter, who has averaged nearly 40 goals in the last two seasons, is the Flyers' most attractive trading commodity, and might be able to bring a goalie and a high draft pick in a trade.
Michael Leighton, who can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, is being given consideration as the starting goalie. Brian Boucher is in the background.
Holmgren hasn't talked to Leighton's agent, Mike Liut, since the season ended but expects to have a conversation with him before the draft.
