2013 Draft Eligibles: Could Medicine Hat Tiger Hunter Shinkaruk be on the Flyers radar?

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 05/22/2013 at 9:00 am

Since losing defenseman Chris Pronger to a devastating eye injury back on October 24, 2011, the Flyers defensive corps has been downright dismal and unimpressive for the most part. Jared Abbott and I believe the Flyers will draft a defenseman with the 11th overall pick such as Rasmus Ristolainen, Ryan Pulock, Nikita Zadorov, or Mirco Mueller. However, we’re just guessing based on organizational need. Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren does have a tendency of taking forwards in the first round and I would not be shocked if the orange and black go after a forward with their first selection. I …

2013 Draft Eligibles: Anthony Mantha, from the Valley of Gold to the City of Brotherly Love?

By Jared Abbott
Posted on 05/20/2013 at 9:00 am

It seems that Sean Couturier has become the popular comparison for NHL draft prospects eyeing a roster spot in their draft year. Tom Zulewski compared Sean Monahan to the Flyers’ forward, and others have raised associations between Couts and Rimouski Oceanic forward Frederik Gauthier. The latest to be linked to the former Drummondville Voltigeurs star is Anthony Mantha. Mantha and Couturier have nearly identical size, immediately drawing a link between the two players. Both also entered the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) as pure scorers, who play to put the puck in the net. Couturier altered his game to …

Flyers can find goalie depth in ’13 draft class

By Jared Abbott
Posted on 05/15/2013 at 9:00 am

It’s no secret the Flyers lack organizational depth in the crease. Beyond Anthony Stolarz of the London Knights, the cupboard is bare. The 2013 NHL Entry Draft class has depth and numerous potential NHL starters. Philly doesn’t have to pounce early in round one for a netminder, but there will be many intriguing prospects available in the second and third rounds. Here are four Canadian goalies with high ceilings that the Flyers might target come draft day. Zachary Fucale – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) 2012-13: 45-5-3, 2.35 GAA, .909 SV% Simply put, this guy is a winner. Fucale has backstopped …

2013 Draft Eligibles: Domi, Horvat, and Zadorov continue the tradition of excellence in London

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 05/13/2013 at 9:00 am

The London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League have had a rich history when it comes to graduating players into the NHL/WHA. Since 1973, a total of 175 players have been drafted by NHL/WHA clubs. The Knights have produced Hockey Hall of Famers Dino Ciccarelli and Darryl Sittler, along with current NHL superstars Patrick Kane, John Tavares, Rick Nash, and Corey Perry. (Note: Future Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan laced up for London as well). The Knights have had more number one overall draft picks, five, than any other club in the world. (Rick Green, WSH, ’76, Rob Ramage, COL …

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2013 NHL Entry Draft: Mock Draft Two

By Jared Abbott
Posted on 05/09/2013 at 8:00 am

Breakdown by League: QMJHL – 8 OHL – 8 WHL – 7 USHL – 2 SM-liiga – 2 SEL – 2 KHL – 1 1. COL – Seth Jones, D, Portland Winterhawks (WHL) Jones is one of the most complete and exciting prospects we’ve seen in years. His combination of size, smarts, mobility, and puck-handling skills are unmatched by any player in this draft and previous drafts. He is a generational talent with the ability to anchor the blue line at an All-Star level for a decade. Jones is the closest thing to a sure bet as a prospect …

2013 NHL Entry Draft: Mock Draft One

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 05/08/2013 at 9:00 am

With the NHL Draft lottery completed, Jared Abbott and I wanted to put out our first mock drafts of the first round . Here is his mock. Leading up to the draft we’ll be putting out several iterations of a first round mock. As the draft order becomes finalized and teams’ rosters begin to take shape it will surely effect the projected picks. Of course, there is always the possibility of trades as well, which could dramatically alter the mock. 1. Colorado- Seth Jones (D) Portland Winterhawks (WHL) What else is there to say? Jones is the best overall prospect in …

2013 Draft Eligibles: Buyers beware of the Crosby comparison for Nathan MacKinnon

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 04/30/2013 at 1:00 pm

The argument over the top prospect in this year’s draft has been going on for over a year now and will continue up until draft day most likely. As hockey fans know it centers on Halifax Mooseheads center Nathan MacKinnon, Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones and MacKinnon’s teammate in Halifax, Jonathan Drouin. Seth Jones is my number one overall prospect followed by Drouin and then MacKinnon. Some people may call me crazy for having MacKinnon at number three. Everyone knows that he’s a potential franchise player in the NHL with all the tools to succeed at the next level. However, …

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2013 Draft Eligibles: Sweden well represented once again; Lindholm, Wennberg, Burakovsky, de la Rose, Haag

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 04/29/2013 at 1:00 pm

Since the year 2000, there have been 29 Swedish born-and-bred players selected in the first round of the NHL draft — the highest number of those coming in 2009 with seven players selected overall. (Victor Hedman, TB, #2 overall, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, PHX, #6, Magnus Paajarvi, EDM, #10, David Rundblad, STL, #17, Jacob Josefson, NJ, #20, Tim Erxion, CGY, #23 and Marcus Johansson, WSH, #24). Last year, only two players were selected in the first round. If you recall, the Anaheim Ducks plucked defenseman Hampus Lindholm fourth overall from Rögle Bandyklubb and the Washington Capitals selected Filip Forsberg 13th overall from …

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Draft Eligibles: Ryan Pulock (WHL)

By Tom Zulewski
Posted on 02/05/2013 at 1:00 pm

Although it may be cold outside and the NHL has just begun it’s never too early to take a look at upcoming draft eligible players for the 2013 draft, which will be held up the turnpike in Newark. This week I’m taking a look at defenseman Ryan Pulock of the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. In 43 games played thus far for Brandon, Pulock has 10 goals, 27 assists good for 37 points. He is also a plus 2 on the season. Pulock did miss two weeks in early January this year with bone chips in his wrist. That injury should …

Czechoslovaks in Flyers Uniform – Petr Hubacek

By Filip Strych
Posted on 01/21/2013 at 12:00 pm

It’s been a while since we’ve discussed Czechs and Slovaks in the Flyers’ system. Today, we’re going to talk about Petr Hubacek, who played only six games with the Flyers but is well known in Europe and has a bit of success with various teams during his career, including the Czech national team. Petr Hubacek was born in Brno and started his career in 1998 with HC Vitkovice, one of the best Extraliga teams during the 90’s. He played there only for two seasons, recording 27 points (11 goals and 16 assists) during a 73-game span. The Flyers selected him …