Philadelphia Flyers: Top 5 Prospects In The 2016 NHL Draft

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The upcoming NHL draft is could be a good one for the Philadelphia Flyers.

This is one draft that I am personally very excited for. This is a draft that has a plethora of young and talented forwards that the Philadelphia Flyers can most certainly use.

When you look at the Philadelphia Flyers prospects, your eyes immediately jump to their talented defensive prospects, which is something the Flyers haven’t had in a very long time. This is one area that the Flyers are definitely stocked up on.

Next your eyes will probably pan out towards the goalies. Philadelphia Flyers GM, Ron Hextall did a fantastic job at the 2015 NHL draft to ensure that the Flyers will have some solid goalie depth to go along with the blue line.

But, the one area in which the Flyers are seriously lacking, are skilled top six forwards. Well the good news is that the 2016 NHL draft class is absolutely filled with offensive talent that the Flyers must take advantage of.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 ranked prospects going into the 2016 NHL draft. It’s never too early to do that right? Also keep in mind that these rankings come from TSN analyst Bob McKenzie and Craig Button.

Next: #5-Matthew Tkachuk

Name: Matthew Tkachuk

Position: Left Wing

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 188 lbs

Team Affiliation: OHL-London Knights

2014-15 season statistics- 65 GP- 38G- 57A-95PTS

Matthew Tkachuk is going to be a great NHL player one day. This kid has it all and in my opinion, he will probably raise in the ranks before the 2016 NHL draft along with Alex Nylander. He’s a smooth skater with terrific hands that will make you pay the price if you give him the room or ability to. Tkachuk has very good hockey IQ for his age and can create a lot of plays.

Here’s what Craig Button had to say about Tkachuk, “Can play a skilled game making plays or finishing them. Is excellent in the hard areas, very smart and plays with an edge and undeniable determination”.

Next: #4-Patrik Laine

Name: Patrik Laine

Position: Left Wing

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 209 lbs

Team Affiliation: Tappara-(SM-liiga)

2014-15 season statistics- 36 GP- 5G- 7A-12PTS

Patrik Laine is a true definition of a power forward. He completely uses his body to clog up the crease and he plays with great positional awareness. He’s a solid all around player that should go high in the 2016 NHL draft.

Here’s what Craig button had to say about Laine, “A scorer with the instincts to arrive at the right spots to take advantage offensively. Drives to net and has a determination to get to net and battle for his opportunities”.

Next: #3-Jakob Chychrun

Name: Jakob Chychrun

Position: Defenseman

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 195 lbs

Team Affiliation: OHL- Sarnia Sting

2014-15 season statistics- 42 GP- 16G- 17A-33PTS

Chychrun is a very offensive defenseman, which i’m sure you can tell by his fantastic stats. He is a very smooth skater which I believe is by far his best attribute. Chychrun has great offensive ability that allows him to create plays from zone to zone and he can jump into a play with ease.

Here’s what Craig Button had to say about Jakob, “Outstanding skater who beats pressure defensively, can join the offensive thrust in transition and doesn’t break down defensively. Capable of being a complete No. 1 blueliner”.

Next: #2 Jesse Puljujarvi

Name: Jesse Puljujarvi

Position: right Wing

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 198 lbs

Team Affiliation: Karpat- (SM-liiga)

2014-15 season statistics- 27 GP- 24G- 18A-42PTS

Puljujarvi is in my opinion, hands down the second best forward for the 2016 NHL draft, right behind Auston Matthews. This kid has some great has elite scoring ability that you just can’t deny. He’s a big winger that has fantastic hands to go along with his great skating and elite scoring ability. This kid is going to be a great NHL player one day.

Here’s what Craig Button had to say about Puljujarvi, “Elite scoring winger who has an excellent feel for getting open and the hands and shot to challenge goalies. A big man who skates with ease and has a hunger and fire to score”.

Next: #1-Auston Matthews

Name: Auston Matthews

Position: Center

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 194 lbs

Team Affiliation: Zurich- (SUI)

2014-15 season statistics- 60 GP- 55G- 62A-117PTS

This kid can be definied in one word, elite. Auston Matthews has it all. He is a very versatile, yet complete player that will excel with whichever team calls his name first. There is no doubt in my mind that Matthews will go first in the 2016 NHL draft. He has a scoring ability that is is undeniable. His skating, smooth hands, and knack for scoring, make him into a lethal player. Look for this kid to be an elite NHL player one day.

Here’s what Craig Button had to say about Auston, “Elite, complete centre who can take advantage of any situation on the entire ice surface. Two days is the only thing that separated him from being in the NHL this season as he missed the 2015 draft being born less than 48 hours after cutoff date”.