IronMarshal
Registered User
Some of my ponderings on the draft for the Flyers:
Best case scenario, they win the lottery and move u to number 2.
If the Flyers pick 2nd, the choices should be between Demidov, Catton, Lindstrom, Levshunov, and Dickenson.
Demidov is the most intriguing. He has that high end talent the Flyers need but is not a center. They desperately need a 1C and they desperately need a 1D who can run a powerplay. Drysdale may be that 1D but hasn’t shown it despite the pedigree.
Catton is the type of talent they really need at center. He has high end skating, skill, vision, playmaking, shot and motor. His downside is that he is smallish and frail looking. I think Catton centering Michkov and Foerster would be a dynamic first line.
Lindstrom is intriguing because of his size, speed, shot and aggressiveness at the center position. His playmaking worries me some. I wonder a little about his creativity on the ce as well. I have Catton rated higher.
Levshunov has shown really good offense at the college level as one of the youngest NCAA players. He is a good skater with size. His defensive acumen seems to be lacking and he is not as physical as I would like. Brad Shaw may be able to turn him into a good defensive player though. He certainly warrants consideration, though I think the forwards above are the play at number 2.
Dickenson is the defenseman I think the Flyers would like. He already pairs with last years second first round pick, Bonk. They might make a good first pair. Dickenson has the size and tools to become a really good 1D and run a powerplay. He will need some work with Shaw as well. His decision making has been a little suspect at times.
If the Flyers have the third pick, the same players above are the ones I would consider.
I also wonder if they could make deal for number 1, Celibrini, if they hold the #2 spot or even the #3 spot. If the team that wins the #1 pick really needs a defenseman and has really good centers like Anaheim maybe, might they be willing to trade back a spot or two to get more assets and still get their #1 defenseman? Maybe the Flyers #1 + Fla’s #1 + a player (Laughton/Frost type) and maybe the #50 pick?
At numbers 12, 13, and 14, obviously any of those players would be great, but unlikely, baring a trade up to maybe #8?
With those players off the board, there is an outside chance of getting Buium or Parekh, or Eiserman. Any of those three could fall to number 12, but not likely.
More likely they are looking at Yakemchuk, Iginla, Silayev, Hage, Connelly, Helenius or Greentree. With D, C, and LW taking priority, I doubt Greentree will be in the mix, and they need to be convinced that Helenius can play center in the NHL, which he probably can. I don’t think I would take Silayev. I don’t see the offense and without that, you can get a similar but slightly smaller player like Elick with the Florida pick.
Yakemchuk should interest the Flyers. He is a big RHD with a booming shot who skates wel and is aggressive. He could be that hammer on the powerplay at the point. The question is his decision making and whether he can QB the powerplay. I think he can, but his decision making defensively is a worry. Again we need Brad Shaw to work with him, otherwise he could end up as a more skilled version of Buffalo Risto, which is not a good outcome.
Iginla is terrific. He is fast skilled has a good motor, and a very good shot. He is more of a goal scoring center. The Flyers really need the playmaking sort. I could see them jumping on Iginla if he is there, and it would be a good choice.
I personally prefer Hage over Iginla for the Flyers, but it is close. I have been very impressed by Hage’s improving play. He is a very good skater with a lot of skill, a good shooter and playmaker and he has at least average size. He seems to be becoming less of a perimeter player which has been the knock on him. I think he can be a #1 good playmaking all around center.
Helenius has a lot of tools is a good skater with vision and a great motor. I doubt that he is a 1C though.
Connelly, is a very skilled excellent skating LW, which the Flyers need, who may be able to plug in as a 2C, but should fit as a 1LW.
That Florida pick could be anyone. I like Charlie Elick if the pick a center with number 1, but really it should be the BPA.
Best case scenario, they win the lottery and move u to number 2.
If the Flyers pick 2nd, the choices should be between Demidov, Catton, Lindstrom, Levshunov, and Dickenson.
Demidov is the most intriguing. He has that high end talent the Flyers need but is not a center. They desperately need a 1C and they desperately need a 1D who can run a powerplay. Drysdale may be that 1D but hasn’t shown it despite the pedigree.
Catton is the type of talent they really need at center. He has high end skating, skill, vision, playmaking, shot and motor. His downside is that he is smallish and frail looking. I think Catton centering Michkov and Foerster would be a dynamic first line.
Lindstrom is intriguing because of his size, speed, shot and aggressiveness at the center position. His playmaking worries me some. I wonder a little about his creativity on the ce as well. I have Catton rated higher.
Levshunov has shown really good offense at the college level as one of the youngest NCAA players. He is a good skater with size. His defensive acumen seems to be lacking and he is not as physical as I would like. Brad Shaw may be able to turn him into a good defensive player though. He certainly warrants consideration, though I think the forwards above are the play at number 2.
Dickenson is the defenseman I think the Flyers would like. He already pairs with last years second first round pick, Bonk. They might make a good first pair. Dickenson has the size and tools to become a really good 1D and run a powerplay. He will need some work with Shaw as well. His decision making has been a little suspect at times.
If the Flyers have the third pick, the same players above are the ones I would consider.
I also wonder if they could make deal for number 1, Celibrini, if they hold the #2 spot or even the #3 spot. If the team that wins the #1 pick really needs a defenseman and has really good centers like Anaheim maybe, might they be willing to trade back a spot or two to get more assets and still get their #1 defenseman? Maybe the Flyers #1 + Fla’s #1 + a player (Laughton/Frost type) and maybe the #50 pick?
At numbers 12, 13, and 14, obviously any of those players would be great, but unlikely, baring a trade up to maybe #8?
With those players off the board, there is an outside chance of getting Buium or Parekh, or Eiserman. Any of those three could fall to number 12, but not likely.
More likely they are looking at Yakemchuk, Iginla, Silayev, Hage, Connelly, Helenius or Greentree. With D, C, and LW taking priority, I doubt Greentree will be in the mix, and they need to be convinced that Helenius can play center in the NHL, which he probably can. I don’t think I would take Silayev. I don’t see the offense and without that, you can get a similar but slightly smaller player like Elick with the Florida pick.
Yakemchuk should interest the Flyers. He is a big RHD with a booming shot who skates wel and is aggressive. He could be that hammer on the powerplay at the point. The question is his decision making and whether he can QB the powerplay. I think he can, but his decision making defensively is a worry. Again we need Brad Shaw to work with him, otherwise he could end up as a more skilled version of Buffalo Risto, which is not a good outcome.
Iginla is terrific. He is fast skilled has a good motor, and a very good shot. He is more of a goal scoring center. The Flyers really need the playmaking sort. I could see them jumping on Iginla if he is there, and it would be a good choice.
I personally prefer Hage over Iginla for the Flyers, but it is close. I have been very impressed by Hage’s improving play. He is a very good skater with a lot of skill, a good shooter and playmaker and he has at least average size. He seems to be becoming less of a perimeter player which has been the knock on him. I think he can be a #1 good playmaking all around center.
Helenius has a lot of tools is a good skater with vision and a great motor. I doubt that he is a 1C though.
Connelly, is a very skilled excellent skating LW, which the Flyers need, who may be able to plug in as a 2C, but should fit as a 1LW.
That Florida pick could be anyone. I like Charlie Elick if the pick a center with number 1, but really it should be the BPA.
