Philadelphia Flyers: Philly finds franchise goaltender during 2016 Draft

After trading down in the first round, the Flyers would select German Rubtsov. He was looked at as one of the smartest forwards in the draft. He had an all-around solid game as scouts raved about his hockey IQ. And as a top player for the Russian U18 team, Rubtsov proved everyone right.

He was close to a point-per-game player in his first season with the squad. He posted 12 goals and 26 assists. Rubtsov had shown promise in international play as well, posting five points for the Russian U17 team at the WHC-17 in 2014-15. He didn’t have a chance to repeat that performance in the U18 tournament before his draft. The entire Russian team was disqualified from the tournament after the team tested positive got a banned substance.

It was unfortunate for Rubtsov as he didn’t get one last chance to show off his skill for scouts prior to the draft. But the Flyers weren’t fazed. He played between the KHL and MHL before coming over to North America. He debuted for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL during the 2016-17 season.

Rubtsov impressed during his first season in NA, posting nine goals and 22 points in 16 games. He was better the following season, grabbing 15 goals and 43 points between the Sagueneens and Acadie-Bathurst Titans. He shined in international play once more, collecting four points in five games at the WJC-20 in 2018.

He made his Phantoms debut last season and looked good in the 14 games he played. He scored six goals and had 10 points overall. A shoulder injury in November ended his season early. Despite the injury, there was still a lot to like about what Rubtsov had done.

Back healthy this season, he appeared in 42 games for the Phantoms. The goals weren’t there as he only had two. His assists were up, though, as he finished with 13 points overall. He did make his NHL debut this season, skating in four games with the Flyers. He was signed to an entry-level contract in 2017, though it didn’t kick in until the following season.

Rubtsov has one year remaining to prove to the Flyers that he deserves another contract. And unless he regresses further, it would be hard to see him not back for at least another year.