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Quick Hits: 2020 and 2021 Draftees, Coach Search, TIFH |
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Quick Hits: June 9, 2022
1) Upcoming on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com, I will have an in-depth look at the prospects in the Flyers' system who will be joining the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2022-23 and shooting for a spot on the NHL roster with the Flyers: 2020 1st-round pick Tyson Foerster, 2020 fourth-rounder Zayde Wisdom, and 2020 fifth-rounder Elliiot Desnoyers.
Here's a thumbnail-sketch look at the other players who entered the Flyers' farm system over recent years and will likely be playing in other leagues in 2022-23:
2021 NHL DRAFT
Samu Tuomaala (2/46) RW: The small-framed speedster has been working with new Flyers European-based development coach Sami Kapanen. Tuomaala is coming off a disappointing 2021-22 season split between a brief stint in the AHL with the Phantoms and two different teams in Liiga (Sport Vaasa and Jukurit Mikkeli). He was not named to Finland's national U20 team for the World Junior Championship one year after posting offensive numbers for the U18 squad at the U18 Worlds. Getting physically stronger is a top priority for the 19-year-old along with improving his all-around game. It's not a question of speed or hands.
Alexei Kolosov (3/78) G: Even before he turned 20 years old, Kolosov cracked the KHL as a frequent starting goaltender for Dinamo Minsk. He is widely considered to be one of the most talented young netminders in the league. As with all young players currently playing in Russia or Belarus -- both of which are presently banned from IIHF competition -- the situation is fluid. The NHL has no formal transfer agreement with the Russian Hockey Federation. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the NHL also canceled its Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with the KHL, which was a de facto transfer agreement in that both leagues agreed to avoid signing players under active contract to clubs in the other league and to limit signings to players considered free agents. Although the MOA was canceled, it seems like the policy may hold for awhile. However, it's a bit more straightforward with veterans (such as Ivan Fedotov) than it is in terms of young players fulfilling the KHL equivalent of entry-level deals and being eligible to come over to North America. This sane uncertainty over when recently drafted prospects will be able to come play in North America could affect where KHL-affiliated players get drafted in the upcoming 2022 NHL Draft. As for Kolosov, he is definitely a prospect worth tracking, because he's ahead of the typical curve in his development.
Brian Zanetti (4/110) D: The smooth-skating Swiss puck-mover impressed in Development Camp and Rookie Camp last summer with the Flyers. He had an inconsistent season in the Ontario Hockey League for the Peterborough Petes. Since he played his Draft-eligible season in Europe (HC Lugano Jr team), Zanetti would technically be exempt from the AHL/CHL age rule next season. However, he is not ready at present for pro hockey and further junior-level seasoning is in order. He had room to get stronger and improve all-around, but the Flyers like his mobility, first-pass and 6-foot-2 frame.
Ty Murchison (5/158) D: The USNTDP product dressed in every game this past season as a freshman for Arizona State, playing a defensive-D role on the blueline, He chipped in four goals and seven points while showing some physicality to his game. The 19-year-old may need all four NCAA-eligible seasons to properly gauge as a potential ELC candidate.
Ethan Samson (6/174) D: A more offensive-minded defenseman than fellow 2020 draftees Zanetti and Murchison, Samson enjoyed a breakout season in his draft-plus-one campaign with the WHL's Prince George Cougars including 15 goals and 43 points. He already has three WHL seasons under his belt. Samson, along with seventh-round selection Owen McLaughlin, was recently extended a bona fide contract offer by the Flyers. Even if he signs, he will slide back to the WHL for another season. The lanky (6-foot-3. 183 pound) defenseman will not turn 19 until Aug. 23. There is room for him to improve both defensively and in terms of physical strength but he's off to a fine start developmentally through his draft-plus-one year, especially for a late-round pick.
Owen McLaughlin (7/206) C/W: As with Samson, McLaughlin has an ELC offer from the Flyers. If he were to sign it now, McLaughlin would forfeit his amateur status and NCAA eligibility. The Chester County native is slated to be an incoming freshman at North Dakota in 2022-23. Alternatively, if he signs a contract with the Flyers, the deal could slide in 2022-23 while on loan to a major junior team in Canada. He's not pro ready but McLaughlin has scored at every level he's played and is coming off an encouraging USHL season for Sioux City (28 goals, 72 points in 62 games). His overall game needs refinement along with adding muscle and improving his skating. However, the belief is that added muscle/explosiveness will naturally help him along in his skating.
J.R. Avon (free agent signing) C: The pandemic-driven cancellation of the 2020-21 Ontario Hockey League season caused Avon -- originally projected as a potential top 100 pick in 2021 -- to slip through the 2021 Draft unselected. He attended Flyers' camp on a tryout basis and earned an entry-level contract. The deal will slide again in 2021-22. Avon showed nice progress, especially after missing a season, with Peterborough this past year. He posted 29 goals and 68 points in 64 regular season games although he was a non-factor in the postseason. The first thing that jumps out about Avon is his skating; he has very good wheels. He does not project as a top-six forward in the NHL but has long-range upward mobility within a bottom-six group.
2020 NHL DRAFT
Emil Andrae (2/54) D: The captain of Sweden's J20 team, Andrae was arguably the best defenseman playing in Sweden's Allsvenskan (top minor league) pro level in 2020-21. His performance for HV71 Jönköping this past season was a major reason why the team earned a promotion back to the SHL level. Despite standing just 5-foot-8, Andrae is a savvy positional defender with a very quick stick. He is very adept at making breakout passes and is an up-ice threat, too, with 33 points (9g, 24a) in 44 regular season games this past season. Over the last two years, Andrae has worked hard to reduce his body fat percentage and replace it with muscular weight. He's always had a thick build (ca. 180 pounds). Until he proves otherwise in the North American pros, there will be question marks about Andrae because of his lack of height. The Flyers would like to see him play a full SHL season in 2022-23. He is a candidate to come to North America in 2023-24.
Note: Andrae is the lone remaining 2020 pick who is neither under ELC to the Flyers (Foerster, Wisdom, Desnoyers) or whose rights were relinquished (Connor McClennon). Among 2019 draftees, University of Minnesota right wing Bryce Brodzinski, a senior in 2022-23, remains unsigned.
2) Today in Flyers History: June 9, 2022
On June 9, 1982, the Flyers traded goaltender Pete Peeters to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Brad McCrimmon.
Also on this date in 1982, the Flyers selected 12 players in the NHL Entry Draft. In the sixth round (119th overall), the Flyers selected goaltender Ron Hextall from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. In the same Draft, the Flyes selected future team captain Ron Sutter in the first round, veteran Czech defenseman Miroslav Dvorak in the third round, enigmatic but high-scoring Todd Bergen in the fifth round, future longtime NHL enforcer Dave Brown in the seventh round, and Swedish forward Magnus Roupé in Round 9 with the 182nd overall pick.
3 June 9 Flyers Alumni birthdays: John "Too Tall" Paddock (1954), Russ Romaniuk (1970).
4) There is nothing new to report on the Flyers coach search front despite rumors and innuendos (such as ESPN's John Buccigross tweeting a side-by-side photo of John Tortorella and Gritty). There have been reports that the Flyers did add Rick Tocchet, Jeff Blashill and David Quinn to the list of candidates that they've formally interviewed.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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