Philadelphia Flyers Prospects NHL Comparables
As the Philadelphia Flyers prospects summer activities wrap-up, here’s some comparisons to take away on how Flyers prospects compare to known NHL players
In this day and age, it’s not too difficult to find scouting reports on many prospects. You can usually find some internet clips or highlight reels of these players. That is fantastic, and allows blogs like this one to exist.
All that information, however, can be just as confusing as illuminating. Furthermore, looking at talent analysis you will often see the same basic descriptors used over and over again. There’s nothing like comparing prospects to known NHL quantities. Every player is different, but a good player comparison often provides a better (and more digestable) snapshot of a player than a 500-word scouting report.
Here I’ll to take a crack and finding comparables for top Philadelphia Flyers prospects. It’s not to say this prospect will turn into the second coming of this NHL player, or be as good. I do hope, however, that it provides a model of the type of NHL player each Flyers prospects could be one day.
Next: Ivan Provorov
Ivan Provorov – Nick Lidstrom
When talking about Ivan Provorov in Flyers circles these days, there is a big risk of the hype train going off the track. With that in mind, the best going comparison for Provorov seems to be Nick Lidstrom.
Obviously this is a lofty comparison, as Nick Lidstrom won 7 Norris trophies and 4 Stanley Cups, and was occasionally called “The Perfect Human.” Far from saying Provorov will accomplish the same (although I wouldn’t mind), Lidstrom’s game is the best model for Provorov. Provorov can do it all on the ice, without being overly physical, like Lidstrom. Provorov also has knack for reading and controlling the tempo of the game, like Lidstrom.
Let’s hope Provorov turns out to be half the NHL player Lidstrom was.
Next: Travis Konecny
Travis Konecny – Brendan Gallagher
This is a difficult one. You could go the little offensive spark plug route, comparing Konecny to past stars Theo Fleury or Martin St. Louis. I’ve also seen comparisons to Zach Parise for playing a two-way game while adding offense with skill and relentless jump on the ice.
Konency himself uses Brendan Gallagher, so I’ll go with that one. And before you say that name isn’t as impressive as the others, Gallagher is really finding his stride in the NHL, coming off a season with 19 goals and 40 points in only 53 games. Furthermore, a recent analysis by TSN showed Parise and Gallagher as 1-2 in rebound shot opportunities in the entire NHL, showing the similarity in offensive play styles. Clearly similar comparisons, either way.
Next: German Rubtsov
German Rubtsov – Logan Couture
Here's a nice Rubtsov play. Cuts to the cage drawing all the defenders attention, gets his teammate a wide open net https://t.co/UZRHGSgFPu
— Bob Roberts (@BobRbrts) June 25, 2016
The first names usually thrown around regarding Rubtsov are fellow Russian centerman Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Kuznetsov. I’ll hold off on comparisons to the Russian magician Datsyuk for now, although recall Datsyuk was only a 6th round pick in his draft.
Regarding Kuznetsov, it is likely that Kuznetsov has a bit more flash on offense.
Perhaps the best model is Logan Couture in San Jose. A solid, smart two-way center who contributes about 60 points a year.
Next: Travis Sanheim
Travis Sanheim – Ryan McDonagh
The comparison most famously used regarding Travis Sanheim was Ryan McDonagh, by TSN draft guru Craig Button.
“I think Travis Sanheim at the same age is like (Rangers star defenseman) Ryan McDonagh,” said Button, who formerly was director of scouting for the Dallas Stars and general manager for the Calgary Flames. “That’s what I see in Travis Sanheim. He’s a superb skater, a superb thinker, really calm and collected with the puck. He’s a guy who really has the ability as a defenseman to control the game, and those guys are hard to find.
I do wonder, however, if Sanheim is becoming more of an offensive defenseman than McDonagh.
Next: Samuel Morin
Samuel Morin – Adam Foote
It is commonplace for Philadelphia Flyers fans to talk about Sam Morin as the next Chris Pronger. They’re both big, nasty on the ice, and Pronger participated at the Flyers draft table as the Flyers selected Morin. This has led some to believe that Morin is Pronger’s hand-picked heir.
That seems a major reach. It is unlikely Morin will ever have anything close to the dominant two-way game Pronger brought to the ice. Recall Pronger was a #2 overall pick, and scored 30 points in the NHL at the age of 18/19. It would be an excellent season for Morin if he did the same in the AHL at the age of 21.
A better model is Adam Foote. Foote was primarily a stay-at-home defenseman, but he was always visible with his physical play. He also had the hockey chops to play on the Avalanche’s top pair alongside more skilled defenders without slowing them down. That’s just where Morin should want to go.
Next: Robert Hagg
Robert Hagg – Dennis Wideman
Okay, so now we’re getting into the hopeful territory. Hagg is a talented player, having “fallen” to the 2nd round in the 2013 draft. There’s not really any pieces missing to Hagg’s game, but it’s a question of desire, or perhaps having enough “jam” in the parlance of Peter Laviolette.
Perhaps the most fitting comparison is Dennis Wideman. A good puck-mover, albeit a little inconsistent. That’s also presuming Hagg even finds the consistency to crack the Flyers lineup at all.
Next: Oskar Lindblom
Oskar Lindblom – Johan Franzen
Lindblom, a 5th round pick in 2014, saw his stock shoot up big time after scoring 4 goals in 7 games for Sweden at 2014 World Junior Championships. He also tallied 7 points in only 8 games in a late season cameo in the AHL this spring.
There are pretty clear limits to Lindblom’s game. He’s not gonna be buzzing around the rink, dictating play. He is a very clever player, however, and is really good at little things, particularly around the net. That can lead to a perfect complementary player, while other players like a Grioux, Voracek or Konecny manage the puck and Lindblom supports and lurks.
The natural comparison is fellow Swede Johan Franzen. Lindblom might not match “The Mule” for pure strength in the slot, but that’s the same area from which Lindblom will play in his own style.
Next: Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Mats Zuccarello
This one is the hardest to identify, in my opinion. Here’s one report that says Mats Zuccarello. Here’s another one that says a bigger Brian Gionta. Or maybe Adam Henrique? Kyle Turris possibly.
Either way, it seems the scouting reports agree that Aube-Kubel is slightly undersized, but is a solid two-way player who gets back on defense very well. He also skates well, and can pop in some goals.
Without a consensus, and just generally describing Aube-Kubel as a potential hardworking middle-6 NHL wing, Zuccarello seems the most relevant comparison.