Last season, the Flyers received extensive contributions from rookie players. With the likes of Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Matt Read now established as NHL regulars, the team is in the process of re-stocking the prospect cupboard at all positions.
It is too early to rank most of the members of the 2012 Draft class. However, my early take on the group is that I think that first-round pick Scott Laughton is going to surprise some people in a few years with what he can do at the NHL level.
I also think there is a decent chance that at least one of the team's defense draftees (Shayne Gostisbehere, Fredric Larsson, Reece Willcox and Valeri Vasiliev) eventually becomes an NHL player, despite the franchise's modest record in drafting and developing NHL defensemen. Second-round pick Anthony Stolarz is a long-term project in goal but has the size, athleticism and good head on his shoulders that will give him a chance to develop over time. Winger Taylor Leier has some two-way upside but it remains to be seen if the offensive game blossoms.
Overall, here is how my current top-10 Flyers prospects would round out. Only players who qualify for NHL rookie status are considered:
1. Scott Laughton (C): The young player's grit and tenacity were on ample display at the Flyers' recent prospect camp. His offensive game is the big question mark, and he will need to add considerable strength before he's ready to compete in the NHL. He may "only" be a solid checking line center someday or, if his offense picks up, he could potentially be a top six forward. He is likely to need at least one and possibly two more years of junior hockey.
NHL comparison players: John Madden (mid-range), Mike Richards (maximum).
2. Nick Cousins (C): He loves to get under opponents' skin, and will have no problem playing an agitator role in the pros. There are still question marks about his skating, in light of the fact that he's an undersized player. Although he is a fine junior hockey offensive player, his NHL upside is more of a third-line type. Still needs to work on his defensive game a bit. A center in junior hockey, he may be switched to wing as a pro -- but will need to further refine his skating and ability to play without the puck.
NHL comparison players: a smaller Steve Ott; Brad Marchand with less speed.
3. Niko Hovinen (G) Slated to compete with fellow rookie Cal Heeter for starting goaltending duties with the Phantoms next year. Has had two straight strong years with Pelicans Lahti in Finland, but is coming off an injury-marred second half to the 2011-12 season that resulted in off-season hip surgery. He is expected to be fine for training camp. When he has his mechanics in synch and confidence going, the 6-foot-7 Finn takes away a lot of net. He's been a late bloomer in SM-liiga after some rough early years.
NHL comparision players: Anders Lindbäck; a bigger Antti Niemi.
4. Eric Wellwood (LW): Retains NHL rookie status next season (barely). He played well down the stretch for the big club and dressed in every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His speed is his biggest asset. Questionable hands, but he had some offensive success during the regular season before going pointless (despite his fair share of scoring chances) in the playoffs. He will compete for a bottom-six forward spot and a penalty killing role for the big club next season.
NHL comparison players: Patrick Dwyer; Richard Park with lesser hands.
5. Brandon Manning (D): It took Manning over half a season to feel like himself again after hip surgery. An overage rookie free agent signing, Manning came on in the latter half of last season and acquitted himself will in brief action with the big club. He still needs to work on his play in his own of the ice, but has both some puck skills and a bit of feistiness to offer. As an older player who has suited up in the NHL, he willingly took on a leadership role in the Flyers' recent prospect camp. The Flyers believe he could eventually settle in as a fifth or sixth defenseman at the NHL level.
NHL comparison player: A more physical Chris Campoli.
6. Marcel Noebels (C/W): The versatile German forward signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers shortly after his selection in the 2011 Draft, and opted to spend another season in WHL rather than returning home to play in the DEL. When he uses his size to its advantage, he can be an effective forechecker. Now 20 years of age, he will play for the Phantoms next season. Had a strong playoff run in the WHL and a dominant Division I WJC against lower-grade competition.
NHL comparison player: Andreas Nodl with less speed.
7. Oliver Lauridsen (D): The big Dane worked his tail off last season and was one of the Phantoms' most improved players from the start of the season until the end. He got a Black Aces invitation in the NHL playoffs while players such as Blake Kessel did not. Lauridsen loves to use his size to hit, and is not afraid to block shots or fight. Still has suspect puck skills and skating, so he needs to keep his game simple. He's a late bloomer and is still inching toward consideration for an NHL call up.
NHL comparison players: ex-Flyer David Printz (worst case); Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (mid-range); Kjell Samuelsson (absolute best case).
8. Matt Mangene (F/D): Slated to be a full-time forward as a pro but can move back to defense in a pinch as he did in college. He can play any forward position with similar prowess. Along with Wellwood, the undersized Mangene is one of the fastest skaters in the organization. The Flyers think he may have a modicum of offensive upside at the pro level but see him more as a speedy role-playing type. Mangene was set back at the prospect camp by a foot injury, but it is not considered serious.
NHL comparison player: Slightly similar to a latter-career Sami Kapanen, in terms of versatility and speed. Mangene is unlikely to score as much as Kapanen did in the prime of his career, however, and Kapanen was also a key locker room figure.
9. Tye McGinn (LW): No questioning the work ethic, toughness or even the hands. But McGinn needs to improve his skating and reaction times considerably to move up from the AHL to the NHL. Unlikely to play above the bottom six if he does eventually make it to the NHL but don't be surprised if his AHL offensive numbers go up in the next year or two.
NHL comparison player: He's nearly not as good as brother Jamie right now, but the McGinns are both cut from a similar cloth in terms of playing style.
10. Ben Holmstrom (C): Still in the mix for a fourth-line role at some point. He plays a fundamentally sound game, and isn't afraid to battle in the trenches. Very little NHL offensive upside.
NHL comparison player: A bigger Scott Nichol.
Honorable Mentions
Tyler Brown (C): Some think he could push for a fourth-line NHL spot this season. Has both size and speed. Minimal offensive game.
Andrew Johnston (LW): Perhaps the biggest wildcard in the system, because he was a Junior A overager. There are some who think he has similar upside to Matt Read because of his speed, hockey sense and smarts. However, the 21 year old is making a big jump from the SJHL to the AHL next season.
Cal Heeter (G): Enjoyed a solid collegiate career at Ohio State, and has both size and athleticism working for him. Extremely self-confident young man. He was easily the most advanced goalie at the recent prospect camp, but that's to be expected (Heeter will turn 24 in November). He will push Hovinen for AHL playing time next season.
Jason Akeson (C): Has shown promise as an offensive player at the AHL level (55 points as a rookie last season), but he needs to improve his all-around game considerably to get a look in the NHL. Undersized and not always involved enough in the play. Akeson was bypassed for a Black Aces invitation during the playoffs, while the older Matt Ford got invited because of his tireless work ethic.
Blake Kessel (D): He played well in camp last year to earn a contract. Got off to an adequate start but tailed off severely as the season progressed. To be fair, he was playing his first pro season after four collegiate seasons, so Kessel was not used to playing so many games. He was bypassed for the Black Aces. Needs to play with more intensity, focus and purpose. There were some grumblings that Kessel should have stood out more in the skill drills and scrimmages at the prospect camp; he was not nearly as visible in taking on a mentoring role as Lauridsen and Manning were. But every player has his own personality. Better things are needed from Kessel this season, because he does have some skills.
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