Philadelphia Flyers Draft: Picking at 29th Overall

Philadelphia Flyers Draft: Picking at 29th Overall

The Flyers’ draft will begin with their pick at 7th overall; but with the pick the Flyers received for sending Braydon Coburn to Tampa Bay, there could be another solid player brought in at 29th overall. Philadelphia could pickup a decent defenseman prospect to add to their growing stash, or even grab one of the top goalie prospects, which is something they currently lack.

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What Philadelphia ends up doing certainly depends on what they do with their first pick. Assuming they go with a forward, that leaves an opportunity for a defenseman or goalie to be selected at the end of the first round. An argument could be made for either position being looked at with the pick, especially goalie. Steve Mason is not getting any younger, and there aren’t really any solid, young goaltending prospects in the organization. Looking across the league, many successful teams are bringing up their young goalies to backup for their starters. Philadelphia needs a solid young goalie to develop sooner rather than later, and can’t be stuck in situations like they were in last year when both the starter and backup goalies went down with injuries.

On the other hand, the Flyers are seemingly making all the right choices with drafting young defensemen, and could add to that streak by drafting one at this position. They already have a growing corps of solid young defense prospects coming up through the system; but it is still early for most of them. Grabbing another prospect to develop while the others start to get called up could be a wise choice for the Flyers.

Let’s take a look at some possible prospects that the Flyers can target at 29th overall, if available:

Noah Juulsen – Defenseman – Everett Silvertips (OHL)

“Noah is a strong competitor who wants to make a difference in the defensive and offensive zones”

At 6’1″ 176 lbs, Noah Juulsen is a very-good two-way defenseman. With 52 points in his 68 games played last season, he can contribute offensively as well defensively as his +22 shows. Juulsen is regarded as a smooth, agile skater that is calm with the puck coming out of the defensive zone. He is attributed with having good puck movement skills, and top-notch hockey senses.

TSN’s Craig Button notes, “Noah is a strong competitor who wants to make a difference in the defensive and offensive zones. He is good with the puck and with improvement in his agility and quickness, his game will become that much stronger. He has a good feel for situations and makes solid plays. Not spectacular in any sense of the word but has that ‘can do, will do’ approach to winning.”

All in all, Juulsen is a player Philadelphia is looking for in its defense. Juulsen has potential to be more than worth the 29th overall pick, especially once he adds some muscle to his frame and can add a little physicality to his game.

Jacob Larsson – Defenseman – Frolunda HC (SHL)

“Larsson is very smart and poised and makes plays under pressure.”

Another option at defense at 29th overall is Swedish defenseman Jacob Larsson. Standing at 6’2″ 191 lbs, he’s attributed to having great skating ability and hands, with his defensive skills being by far his greatest quality. He is a great defenseman for stopping and preventing quick breakouts other teams may try, as he uses his quickness and positioning to keep up with forwards.

TSN’s Craig Button adds, “Larsson is very smart and poised and makes plays under pressure. A very good passer who gives you the puck in good time. Doesn’t pass along his problems and finds good options when he has the puck. His skating is solid and he maneuvers well to gain strong defensive positioning and to take advantage offensively. Ideally suited to today’s NHL.”

Larsson makes me think of Travis Sanheim, who the Flyers drafted 17th overall last year and just concluded a stellar season on the Hitman of the WHL. If Philadelphia could snag another defenseman low in the first round, with high potential like Sanheim, then their defense in years to come could be stellar.

Mackenzie Blackwood – Goalie – Barrie Colts (OHL)

“His mobility and lateral agility is good and he moves well around his net in reading the play and utilizing his size to his advantage”

At 6’4″, Blackwood is a big, crease-filling goalie that shows a lot of promise. Regarded as the #1 North American goalie prospect, he has a lot to like outside of his big size. He is quick in the crease, and makes very acrobatic saves when needed. This is all quite amazing for a goalie who has only been playing goalie for the last 6 years. To go from nothing to being the top prospect in your region is amazing, and shows how much of a natural he is at goal tending. Hopefully that type of development can happen at the pro level, and if Philadelphia decides to draft him they wont have to wait long for a quality backup/replacement to Mason.

TSN’s Craig Button says, “Blackwood possesses a very good base of goaltending skill. His mobility and lateral agility is good and he moves well around his net in reading the play and utilizing his size to his advantage. At times he gets caught deep in the net, creating unnecessary vulnerability but is certainly an aspect that can be developed and allow him to be a very good goalie.”

Blackwood is currently projected by many to go in the 2nd round. However, the Flyers do not pick again till the end of the 2nd. It may be smart, if they want a goalie prospect, to pick up one here.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Flyers just drafted a winger prospect or traded the pick away. They have been the the type of team to make picks that are sort of outside the box, when considering who’s left on the board when they pick. I think defense is a strong possibility at this pick; especially when its possible many of the forwards left by the end of the first round will not be first round quality.

Next: Philadelphia Flyers Offseason: Potential Targets

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