Back in the 90s, the mantra around the Philadelphia Flyers was "bigger, stronger, better". You saw that in the makeup of the team. Bobby Clarke, as general manager, had built up a team that averaged 6'0" and 200 lbs. Pound for pound, they were the biggest, strongest team in the league. They had giants in players like Eric Lindros, Rod Brind'Amour, and Joel Otto. Once you got past the vaunted Legion of Doom line, you still had to deal with guys like Dale Hawerchuk, Keith Primeau, Mark Recchi, Rick Tocchet, Jeremy Roenick, etc.
And despite all the size, the Flyers were always outmatched by a physical team that was a little speedier. The Red Wings that humiliated them in the '97 Stanley Cup Finals simply outskated the 20 hulks we had out there. Clarke never learned that lesson as he continued to try to rebuild a "Bullies-Era" team. And while the Flyers came close many, many times, they could never quite reach the hockey holy land.
During this past draft, you can see the Flyers moving in the same direction. They beefed up in size. Part of this was in reaction to the success of the Florida Panthers the last two seasons and the "size arms race" you are seeing in the Eastern Conference in trying to keep up. Part of this is also the fact that this is a Flyers tradition.
Which is why the rise of Flyers' prospect Denver Barkey is so amazing. The prospect was recently called up after playing well in his first year with the Phantoms. In 26 games, he has seven goals with nine assists. With Tyson Foerster sidelined after a season-ending injury, Barkey is being given the chance to earn his spot. The thing is, he's just 5'9" and 175 lbs.
Don't let that size fool you. He's quick and agile and can elude most big hits that are coming. In three seasons with the London Knights of the OHL, he's scored 82 goals; that's an average of 27.33 goals. Which Flyers fan among you wouldn't want to see that production?
Maybe you are not convinced that 5'9" is good enough. Did you know that Brian Propp is that height? Propp would go on to score over 400 goals and 1000 points in his storied career as a borderline Hall of Famer and is fourth all-time in points for the Flyers at 849. Daniel Briere also stands at 5'9". Can anyone say that his size was a detriment to the team during the 2010 Stanley Cup run? Bobby Brink is even shorter at 5'8"! Bobby Clarke and Kimmo Timonen were just an inch taller at 5'10". Do we see a pattern here?
My point is this: if you are worried about the size of Barkey, don't be. If there is anything to worry about, it would be the inexperience of going from the OHL last year to the faster pace of the NHL now. Even then, that's not going to be an issue.
Give him a few games when he gets used to how the NHL works. He's going to adapt and be a major force for this team. This is going to be fun to watch him grow as this season progresses. He could be the Flyers next hero and fan favorite.