Philadelphia Flyers: The Top 10 Prospects in the Organization
One of the most popular thing to think about when daydreaming in the summer about the Flyers, is their prospects. If you haven’t been around Flyerland in some time, then you might not have noticed that the Flyers accumulated the most highly touted defensive prospect group in the league. The Big Five, as some call it, is comprised of mostly first round picks, with a surprise 3rd rounder in there as well.
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That is not all that the Philadelphia Flyers have accumulated. They have some very good forward and goalie prospects in the pipeline, though none of them would be considered an elite prospect like a lot of the defensemen kids.
Today, we’re going to go through a refresher of what the Flyers’ future star players are looking to be. Like I said, a lot of them are defensemen but a couple of them are very offensive defensemen. In a few years, the team will look very different and hopefully will play at a much higher level.
Let’s begin our look at the top prospects the Flyers have brought in:
Next: Honorable Mention
Danick Martel (20 yrs. old) – Honorable Mention – Left Wing
Undrafted Rookie from Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, Signed in 2015
To me, Danick Martel is one of our top forward prospects in the farm pool. However, he’s small at 5’8″ 161 lbs, which is well below NHL ready. His speed and agility at a professional pace is what will make the difference between Martel staying the AHL for his career, or jumping up to the NHL and becoming a sensation.
He’s smaller than the now retired Danny Briere, who was an inch taller, but he’s got a similar game. Martel has a lot to work on in the AHL this year, which will be his first season as a pro, but his scoring ability and quick skates could easily make him one of the best players on the team.
Next: #10
Sep 22, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg (54) during game against the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#10 Robert Hagg (20 yrs. old) – Defenseman
Drafted #41st overall in the 2nd round of the 2013 NHL Draft
Hagg is often forgot about when people speak of the top prospects for the Flyers, especially with the recent additions. Hagg is a solid defenseman, with good size at 6’2″ 200 lbs. He probably wont ever become a top pairing defenseman in the NHL, but he can become a serviceable defenseman on a bottom pairing.
This is actually pretty good for the Flyers, since that will bring youth and energy to a bottom pairing where usually older, worse defensemen go. Only two defensemen get to be apart of the pair, so someone inevitably has to drop down.
Next: #9
Mar 25, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Nick Cousins (52) celebrates goal by center Ryan White (25) (not pictured) against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#9 Nick Cousins (22 yrs. old) – Center
Drafted #68th overall in the 3rd round of the 2011 NHL Draft
Cousins is, unfortunately, stuck on a team with a ton of talent at center with no sign of an opportunity for him to get called up. I know the Phantoms don’t mind that, as he’s been one of their best players. There’s a chance in the future he may become the 3rd or 4th line center, but its not clear if or when that would happen.
Cousins is offensively gifted, but is a bit undersized at 5’10” 170 lbs. You may begin to notice undersized players becoming a trend for the Flyers, as they’re looking to become a much faster team.
Next: #8
#8 Felix Sandstrom (18 yrs. old) – Goalie
Drafted #70th overall in the 3rd round o the 2015 Draft
Not much has been seen from this goalie, as the oft hurt Sandstrom missed most of the last season due to different ailments. However, this doesn’t change his great upside with his talent and size at 6’2″ 192 lbs. He is an athletic goalie who has had success, when healthy, in Sweden.
He is still very, very young for a goalie – but all signs point to him being a favorite for the next starting goalie for the Flyers as long as he can play and plays well in the AHL.
Next: #7
Sep 22, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel (73) against the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Capitals, 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#7 Nicolas Aube-Kubel (19 yrs. old) – Right Wing
Drafted #48th overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 Draft
The 5’11” 200 pound right-wing comes in at #7 not only because of his great scoring ability that has gotten better and better in the QMJHL, but also because he is one of the very few talented wingers in the Flyers organization. Aube-Kubel will most likely take another year in Juniors before coming to the AHL next year, but this is good because his development so far has be outstanding.
This could be exactly what the Flyers need in the future, a scoring winger with some speed, and they definitely don’t want to rush him since he’s pretty much all they have at wing other than Danick Martel coming up in the system.
Next: #6
Dec 23, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton (49) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Flyers defeated the Wild 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
#6 Scott Laughton (21 yrs. old) – Center
Drafted #20th overall in the 1st round of the 2012 NHL Draft
A fan favorite for many, Laughts is a center that deserves to be in the NHL. He’s done minimal time in the AHL (where he’s shown he’s better than), and some time in the NHL. Yet, I believe his time in the NHL is marred by poor coaching, which has led to many to lessen their expectations from the super-skilled center.
I still see a lot of potential in Laughton, but where can he fit in on the roster this year? There’s no space, and not a lot of cap for even his rookie salary. Laughton, if on the NHL, would still hold the title of “Slickest Hands” as his puck handling skills are world-class, but his offense hasn’t come to him just yet. He’s still only 21, so there’s plenty of time for him to prove his worth.
Next: #5
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Travis Konecny puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number twenty-four overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
#5 Travis Konecny (18 yrs. old) – Center
Drafted #24th overall in the 1st round of the 2015 Draft
Konecny was an interest pick, as the Flyers traded up to get him at #24. He’s a highly skilled forward, but as you may have guessed is undersized at 5’10” 175 lbs. It would be a huge mistake to say his size will hold him back, which I believe will be very untrue as Konecny plays much bigger than his size.
His physicality, scoring ability, and speed is what made him a 1st round pick and will make him a great player for the Flyers in the future. Keep an eye on this kid, because he will be sent to the juniors this season with the ability to make the team next year if he can perform at a high level in the upcoming season.
Kevin Gullage has more on Konecny here.
Next: #4
Sep 22, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) carries the puck against the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Capitals, 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#4 Shayne Gostisbehere (22 yrs. old) – Defenseman
Drafted #78th Overall in the 3rd round of the 2012 NHL Draft
You know your team has a great prospect pool when Gostisbehere is not in your top-three. Ghost, as many call him, is 5’11” 170 pound offensive defenseman that beyond his age in talent. He has electric offensive ability, but is still very responsible in the defensive end, as he should be.
Ghost missed almost all of last year, which killed his chances of being on the roster on opening night this year, however expect to see him called up to the NHL as long as he stays healthy and performs at his usual high level. He will have a much better team around him on the Phantoms, so I expect him to be even better than his short time on the team last season.
Kevin Gullage has more on Ghost here.
Next: #3
Sep 16, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Samuel Morin (55) during preseason game against the Washington Capitals at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#3 Samuel Morin (20 yrs. old) – Defenseman
Drafted #11th overall in the 1st round of the 2013 NHL Draft
I’ve been waiting a long time to say this, but Samuel Morin will finally be turning pro this season. The big 6’7″ 225 pound defenseman will most likely be paired with fellow top defensive prospect Gostisbehere, and will big a lot of physicality to the Phantoms, and eventually the Flyers, that they have not seen in a very long time.
Morin is a bruising physical defenseman who has throw grown men around like they were rag-dolls, but he also brings some decent offensive skills and a hammer of a slap-shot to the team. This is another kid that will probably be called up to the roster much later into the season, but even if he isn’t he is worth watching in the AHL. Morin could be the main reason why the Phantoms become a formidable opponent this season.
Kevin Gullage has more on Morin here.
Next: #2
Sep 22, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (71) and Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) battle during game at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
#2 Travis Sanheim (19 yrs. old) – Defenseman
Drafted #17th overall in the 1st round of the 2014 NHL Draft
Sanheim was a pick noone will admit they doubted when he was selected. Though, lets be honest, a lot of people thought we could’ve done better when he was picked. Now, however, he was a great selected at #17. The 6’3″ 185 pound defenseman is so offensively gifted and such a smooth skater, that many drool over his potential. If the Flyers were a team with a lot of cap space and open spots on the roster, he’d be in the NHL on the opening roster this season.
Luckily, the Flyers have the luxury of having a lot of depth at defense to allow this kid to continue to develop at his own pace. Sanheim needs another year to finish working out some quirks in his game before making the jump to pro. I doubt he sees a shift in the AHL before playing up here, but with Hexy at the helm he may see some Phantom time before becoming a regular NHL-er.
Kevin Gullage has more on Sanheim here.
Next: The Flyers' Best Prospect
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Ivan Provorov puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
#1 Ivan Provorov (18 yrs. old) – Defenseman
Drafted #7th overall in the 1st round of the 2015 NHL Draft
Provorov was touted as probably the most NHL ready out of all the defensive prospects, and maybe in the top-five overall for all prospects in this draft. With NHL ready size at 6’1″ 200 lbs., I do see a possibility of making the NHL roster right off the bat this season. It all depends on if the Flyers can make room in the cap and roster for him, and most importantly if he is ready. Provorov already has the size, but also the maturity needed for playing in the NHL.
He plays with such a high level of confidence and skill, that his only other option of being sent down to the juniors seems worthless since he’s beyond playing with that skill level of players. Training camp will decide where he ends up, but with a stubborn Hextall running the show he may be sent down regardless. Let’s hope not, because he can bring much needed talent to the Flyers defensive corps.