According to Bobby Clarke all scouts wanted to take Cale Makar with the 2017 first overall pick, but Ron Hextall was then the General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers had his mind set on drafting Nolan Patrick with that pick, and wouldn't listen to others opinions on this.
Clarke went on to say Hextall wouldn't listen to any of the recommendations from his staff who were worried about Patrick's health issues. Clarke said the scouts were so mad but Hextall had his mind made up and wasn't changing it, Clarke also mentioned that Hextall moved Brayden Schenn to a move that Clarke said "nobody saw coming" aswell wouldn't make a move to get Ryan O'Reilly when available.
Brayden Schenn and Ryan O'Reilly would go to St Louis and lead the to the Stanley Cup in 2019. Ron Hextall would end up getting fired in November of 2018.
Imagine if he would of listened to his staff how different the Flyers could of been? Keeping Schenn adding O'Reilly, but most of all drafting Cale Makar over Nolan Patrick. Cale Makar is now a super star with the Colorado Avalanche, he has 35 goals, 90 assists, in 129 games with a +43 rating. Nolan Patrick is no longer in Philadelphia, he was dealt to the Las Vegas Golden Knights and has only 31 goals and 42 assists with a -35 rating in 206 NHL games.
Credit: Tsn / Andy Strickland