This is one of a billion people named Fredrik Larsson, who is not Fredric Larsson

Flyers draft Fredric Larsson

With the 111th pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers select Fredric Larsson from the Swedish Junior Hockey League. The 17-year-old is a 6’3″ (or he is 18-years old and 6’1″, depending on the source) left-handed defenseman who appears to be a defensive-minded blue liner as well as rough player. In 19 games for Brynäs J18, he accumulated a whopping 109 penalty minutes and was a +25. Larsson is considered to be a sleeper pick in this year’s draft. Via USA Today: Larsson came out of nowhere late in the season and was terrific in Sweden’s junior under-20 playoffs for Brynas, …

Anthony Stolarz

Flyers draft goalie Anthony Stolarz

With the 45th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers select goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, from Corpus Christi IceRays of the NAHL. The Flyers passed over Tomas Hyka, a player the team was unable to sign last season due to draft eligibility, and Dalton Thrower, a player pegged as a typical Flyer, to select Stolarz. Stolarz was ranked tenth among goalies by ISS and fourth among American goalies by Central Scouting. Much like Niko Hoivenen, Stolarz is a big goalie who stands at 6’5″ and 200lbs. He posted a 2.84 GAA and a .920 SV% with three shutouts …

2012 NHL Entry Draft - Round One

Some thoughts on round one

First off, kudos to everyone who covered the draft live last night. People may joke every time a tweet pops up about a GM working the phones but those reporters worked their butts off last night. Today will be even more hectic. Well done folks. The Penguins got a lot better on paper last night and that worries many people in the Atlantic Division. The Penguins also got a lot better on paper in 2010 when they reshaped their defense by acquiring Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin. How did that work out? Michalek was traded back to the Phoenix Coyotes …

Scott Laughton, 2009

Flyers draft Scott Laughton

With the 20th pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers pick center Scott Laughton of the Oshawa Generals. Laughton is a 18-year-old left-handed center who potted 33 goals, 76 points, and 159 penalty minutes in 127 total OHL games. After numerous highly-touted players slipped in the draft and speculation rose that the Flyers attempted to work out a deal to move up in the draft, perhaps to select Filip Forsberg, Mikhail Grigorenko, or Teuvo Teräväinen, the Flyers stood pat with their own 20th overall pick and selected Laughton. The 6’1″ fast-skating, physical center, is a prototypical pick for the Flyers. Allegedly, Laughton …

kubina_grossmann

Five Questions: Draft picks…to deal or not to deal?

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Ed Miller from The Hockey Writers, Mark Edwards from HockeyProspect.com, Chris Shafer from Hockey’s Future, and Corey Pronman from Hockey Prospectus participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the fifth of a five part series focusing on the upcoming draft. At one point this season the Flyers had a first, (potentially) two seconds, and two third rounders in the first three rounds of this year’s draft; but they now find themselves with just a first and a third. How would you rate the depth of this year’s draft? Do you think …

couts draft

Will the rockets’ orange glare appear at the draft?

With the draft quickly approaching many Flyers fans are wondering when the first domino will fall; and what exactly will start the chain reaction. The draft is often considered either the last official act of the previous season or the first one of the new year, and the Flyers are no exception to treating it as an important time-frame. Since Paul Holmgren took over as general manager, the Flyers have made at least two moves each year at the draft, or during the week leading up to it. Date Sent Team Received 6/23/2011 Jeff Carter Columbus Blue Jackets Jakub Voracek, …

136952093_crop_exact

Flyers known to keep Summers interesting

It’s now the offseason, and with it comes a ton of rumors about potential trades or acquisitions — thus, the moniker of “Silly Season.” This particular one is especially interesting, with names like Rick Nash, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Suter floating around as either pending free agents or possible trade bait. As we learned last summer, the Flyers have no problem with pulling the trigger on huge deals if it means improving their team for the future. So it’s not completely out there to think that they might make another humungous big deal during the era of sweltering heat, whether …

gagne_draft

Five Questions: Late first-round success stories

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Ed Miller from The Hockey Writers, Mark Edwards from HockeyProspect.com, Chris Shafer from Hockey’s Future, and Corey Pronman from Hockey Prospectus participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the fourth of a five part series focusing on the upcoming draft. The Flyers have historically had success drafting in the last 10 picks of the first round (Giroux, Richards, Williams, Gagne), and they find themselves in that same position for the first time since 2006 (Giroux). Who do you like that you would project to be available in that spot? Ed Miller: The …

2012 Winter Classic goal by Mike Rupp on Sergei Bobrovsky

Crashing the Crease: The Book on Bob

Now that the 2011-2012 season has officially come to a close with the Stanley Cup having been awarded and the draft around the corner, everyone is looking toward the future of the Flyers. The future of one player in particular has garnered much attention of late: Sergei Bobrovsky. If you believe what’s floating out there in the rumor mill, it would appear that Bob’s time here in Philadelphia may come to an end soon in lieu of a more experienced, less well-paid backup. Feelings on this issue are mixed. Many are unhappy with Ilya Bryzgalov, and would blame him for …

Ontario Hockey League London Knights vs Plymouth Whalers

Five Questions: Assessing prospect value

Flyers Faithful is pleased to have Ed Miller from The Hockey Writers, Mark Edwards from HockeyProspect.com, Chris Shafer from Hockey’s Future, and Corey Pronman from Hockey Prospectus participate in the current iteration of Five Questions. This is the third of a five part series focusing on the upcoming draft. Which prospect(s) do you think is (are) rated higher than they should be? Ed Miller: The most overrated player in this year’s draft would have to be center Brendan Gaunce of the Belleville Bulls. Some have projected that he could be a top five pick, while others think he will go late …